RAPID CITY - Ron Weifenbach defeated Norma Thomsen on Tuesday for the alderman seat from Ward 1 by 191 votes, 53.6 percent to 46.4 percent.

Thomsen said her history as an alderwoman in the 1970s and 80s may have hurt her chances at getting elected.

"Some people wanted a change, and some people didn't want someone that was on there before," she said. "It's what the people wanted, and that's good."

Weifenbach said his leadership and communication abilities were what gave him the edge.

"Norma's a formidable candidate, for sure," he said. "She's been in Ward 1 longer than I've been alive."

He said his first goal on the city council is to improve the relationship between the council and the citizens.

"I want to bring back the communication between the people of Rapid City and the city council and have the constituents trust in us again," he said.