WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Bill Saffo will serve a sixth term as mayor of Wilmington.

Saffo beat challenger Todd Zola by more than 7,000 votes.

Saffo, who is a Wilmington native and real estate broker, was first elected for city council back in 2003.

He was originally appointed as mayor in 2007 when the previous mayor resigned. 

Saffo's re-election makes him the longest serving mayor in the port city.