DELAFIELD - Delafield voters opted for change Tuesday as former Mayor Ed McAleer soundly defeated Mayor Phil Schuman in a city where recent controversies such as the firing of a longtime city official and plans for a multimillion-dollar space needs referendum have left the community deeply divided.

"It’s overwhelming, the numbers," McAleer said. "I think leadership style has a lot to do with it. I think we need to get back to consensus building."

According to unofficial results from Delafield Clerk-Treasurer Gina Gresch, McAleer had 1,213 votes (69.4 percent) and Schuman had 528 votes (30.2 percent). Six write-in candidates were tallied, including one for fired City Administrator Matt Carlson. Official vote totals will be canvassed later this week.

McAleer, along with alderwomen Michele DeYoe and Beth Leonard, who were both re-elected to their respective seats Tuesday, joined supporters Tuesday night at Benny’s Seafood Restaurant in Delafield.

The group, which also included aldermen Erv Sadowski and Gerry MacDougall, toasted the night’s winners and the city of Delafield.