PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The people of Portsmouth want to make sure their city is in good hands. That’s why many watched Portsmouth’s mayoral and city council elections closely.

News 3 spoke with Portsmouth residents Wednesday who said they are optimistic about the city’s leadership after Tuesday’s election.

“I know it can be difficult sometimes, a lot of people have requests, a lot of different things going on, things to manage. So I just hope that you do the best you can, do your best, help everyone in the city, listen to what everyone take,” said Kyeir DeBose of Portsmouth.

Watch previous coverage: Incumbent Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover is expected to win re-election bid

Current Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover is expected to win re-election bid

Many people want the city to be united because in past years Portsmouth has been criticized for unruly council meetings, high turnover of city managers and has faced pressure to find solutions to crime.

Market Street and General Store owner Tony Goodwin, who helped with Bill Dodson Jr.’s campaign, said he has seen the impact of past disagreements.

“When you have leaders arguing back and forth, it’s going to spill over into the city,” Goodwin said.

He’s hopeful that a new combination of leaders will move the city forward, especially for those who work downtown.

Watch previous coverage: Portsmouth voters have three options in the mayoral race

Portsmouth voters have three options in the mayoral race

“As business owners, we want Portsmouth to thrive with new economic development,” Goodwin said.

Shannon Glover claimed victory as mayor Tuesday night, displacing incumbent Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas Burke. This will be his second term.

He spoke to News 3 at his watch party and said he learned some lessons in his first four years. This semester he said he wants to get more involved with his colleagues and hopes everyone in town will get more engaged too.

“I know some things better than when I came in and I believe that if we can all work together and set the vision and direction of our city and do it in a unified way, there is nothing we can’t accomplish,” Glover said.

See related coverage: Updates for the Hampton Roads mayoral election

Updates for the Hampton Roads mayoral race

Lucas Burke resigned from his council seat to run for mayor, so he will leave the board in December.

Newcomers Kathryn “Kitty” Bryant, Yolanda Edmonds Thomas and William “Bill” Dodson Jr. edged out incumbents De’Andre Barnes and Mark Whitaker for the council seats.

After the viewing parties ended, News 3 spoke with the newcomers about their approach. Common themes were finding solutions to crime and establishing a long-term vision for the city. Bryant, Edmonds Thomas and Dodson said the key to making it all work will be collaboration.

“The overall goal of our campaign is to provide collaborative leadership to the people of Portsmouth. That’s what they deserve. That’s what they’ve told us they want to happen in the city and we’re ready to start building relationships, setting new precedents setting new expectations to move us forward,” Bryant said.

See related coverage: Mike Duman has narrow lead in Suffolk mayoral race

Duman holds narrow lead in Suffolk mayoral race

“I know that the voters and people of Portsmouth believe in the same priorities as I do, including public education, public safety, economic growth, improved city services and infrastructure, and the ability to work with others to get things done. “My approach is to work as a council to put the people and communities of Portsmouth first. They are the priority and I am confident in my ability to work with others as a team for the people,” said Edmonds Thomas.

“We made a lot of friends with each other in the campaign, which is different than previous campaigns here. I anticipate a total transformation at City Hall. Total transformation,” Dodson said.

The candidates said they are excited about the results, but are still waiting for provisional votes to be counted.

Each of them thanked the voters and their competitors.