Virg Bernero claimed his victory as Lansing mayor at about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday with 15 percent of the precincts reporting, but incumbent Tony Benavides said he wouldn't concede.

"I'm told the numbers look good and victory is ours," he said. "I can't thank you enough for helping us get to this point. We ought to be the hub of the wheel. Not just of mid-Michigan, but the state of Michigan."

After declaring himself the winner, state Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, danced with his wife on a stage to Kool & the Gang's "Celebration."

Bernero, who was elected to the state Senate in 2002, ran against Benavides to serve as mayor for the next four years. Now that his Senate seat will be vacated, a special election could be called to fill it. State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, has said she is preparing to run for the seat.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm would have to announce a special election.

Mila Al-Ayoubi, a 24-year-old Lansing resident, said she not only supports Bernero, but is looking forward to having a younger leader of the city.

"He has a young perspective," she said. "He is new blood."

Other city officials also turned out for Bernero's campaign party. Lansing City Council President Sandy Allen said Bernero can offer the city some new life.

"I've been supporting Virg," she said. "I am very excited about this evening. He can take Lansing in a new direction — he can move Lansing forward. He's got a lot of ideas. He's going to get a lot of new businesses and companies."

Bernero predicted his win early in the counting.

"I smell victory in the air," he said to a cheering crowd in the Nuthouse Sports Grill, 420 E. Michigan Ave.

However, a few buildings away, Benavides' campaign wasn't listening to the victory announcements.

The tone at Mayor Benavides' campaign headquarters in Lansing Tuesday night was one of anticipation as Benavides listened intently as numbers from the 2005 Lansing mayoral election slowly poured in.

Tony Benavides' son, Lansing resident Rick Benavides, said they wouldn't announce anything until it was clear who won.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "We're not going to concede anything."

And Tony Benavides said Bernero's announcement is a testament to his personality.

"It's premature," Benavides said. "That's his arrogance. I'm not going to make a statement."

With patriotic colors, loud music and dancing, Benavides supporters held signs and chanted in a circle, "Tony, Tony."

Earlier in the night, dozens of supporters of Benavides' campaign came out to what they were hoping would be a victory party.

"I feel very good about the outcome for today," Benavides said. "I'm ready to accept whatever this community decides to do."

Benavides and Bernero faced off once before in a race for Lansing mayor in 2003. Benavides beat out Bernero for the seat by only 258 votes. After two years as mayor, Benavides has boasted Lansing's balanced budget and exemplary credit rating as being among the best in mid-Michigan.

Before serving as mayor, Benavides spent 22 years on the City Council and was director of Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing.