DURHAM -- Voters chose 66-year-old Steve Schewel to replace longtime current Durham mayor Bill Bell, who's retiring after 16 years in office.

Schewel is a Virginia native but has deep roots in Durham.

He graduated from Duke University before serving on the Durham Public Schools board and most recently, the City Council.

He says residents shouldn't expect a dramatic change once he takes office, but he does have an agenda to tackle immediately.

“20 percent of our people here in Durham aren't sharing in our new found prosperity. So we need to work on affordable housing and good jobs and good wages and a transit system that connects those good jobs and good wages,” he said.

But he knows the road won't be easy.

The Bull City has been a hotbed for protests, including Black Lives Matter and the anti-Confederate statue movement.

“Those issues are national issues and we have to take those issues head on. The concerns of the people who are protesting bringing to us are very legitimate.”

Schewel says he knows he has big shoes to fill. But he wants people to know, they will be heard and wants that same assurance from the Bull City.

“Pull people together to try to find our common purpose, forge a common vision for this city together and implement it together. That's the job.”

Schewel will take office on December 4th. The City Council will appoint someone to his council seat, which will expire in two years.