Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from the candidates.

Council Member Brian Marl will serve as the next mayor of Saline.

He defeated former Council Member Glenn Law by a margin of 2,614 to 1,711 votes, or 60.01 percent to 39.28 percent, according to unofficial results from the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office.

The seat has been held for the past 12 years by Mayor Gretchen Driskell, who faced current Republican State Rep. Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township, for the 52nd District legislative seat.

Marl partly attributed his win to his articulation of his five-point plan for moving Saline forward that includes support for public safety; responsible financial stewardship; creation of an atmosphere that promotes entrepreneurship; transparency and investment in infrastructure.

"I think that resonated since I announced my candidacy in March. I've been talking about it and I think people appreciate that," he said.

"When I went door to door, I talked about my proven ability to take a concept to reality," he added.

Two-term Council Member Marl was elected to the City Council in 2008.

He has served on the Saline Area Schools Historic Preservation Foundation, the Evangelical Homes of Michigan board of directors, the Saline Area Senior Center Executive Board, and is congregational president of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Saline.

The Saline Area Schools graduate has worked as a legislative aide since 2005.

"Most people are aware of the fact that I have a commitment to the City of Saline that is unquestioned," he said.

Law, 47, served as a Saline City Council Member from 2004 to 2011 before resigning to take a position in education in Menominee.

Law said he was disappointed to lose but grateful for the experience and support.

“I thought I fought a really good campaign, and despite getting out on a late start … I feel I did the best I could. I worked hard, hit every neighborhood, knocked on as many doors as I could, and I certainly don’t regret doing this," he said.

But he stressed his “political career is over as of tonight.”

“I feel I’ve done all that I could and I want to dedicate my efforts to my job as an educator and teacher and spend more time with my family,” he said. “Politics at a local or national level takes lot of time and commitment, and my time for politics is over. I thank everyone who supported me on council and during my run for mayor, but it’s time to move on.”

Marl said he looks forward to picking up where Driskell left off.

"I am also proud to continue the legacy of the mayor who precedes me, Gretchen Driskell, whose strong record of service to Saline for the last 14 years has tangibly made our community a better place," he said.

Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.