For the first time since 2003, Leander has a new mayor.

According to unofficial results, incumbent John Cowman was ousted May 12 by Place 5 Councilman Chris Fielder, who captured 53.33 percent of the vote. With 94.81 percent of the precincts reporting, Cowman received 29.87 percent of the votes, while third-place challenger Bob Hanson picked up 16.8 percent.

Upon learning the results, Fielder said he was glad to have the much-anticipated election over.

"From the very start, I have said the election is about people and not the candidates," he said. "I look forward to getting to work right away."

Fielder has previously expressed interest in establishing a mayor's advisory committee upon taking office. He said during a post-election event that he plans on following through with that plan.

It's all part of a plan Fielder has to get Leander residents more engaged in local government. He also told Community Impact Newspaper in April that he would like to create a citizen's task force on economic development.

He also has arranged a meeting with Cedar Park Mayor-elect Matt Powell in an effort to have the cities collaborate more, Fielder said.

"We're going to start discussing how to move this region forward," Fielder said.

The change in leadership comes in the midst of alleged ethics violations against Cowman, including the misuse of city property and violations of the Open Meetings Act and the city charter. While an ethics commission has since discounted some of those charges, the matter remains under investigation by the commission and Williamson County district attorney's office.

Macy Hurwitz contributed to this story.