Atlantic City's mayor celebrated victory Tuesday night, even though he was not running for office.
"Though I wasn't on the ballot, I was on the ballot," Small told BreakingAC, referring to the question that would have changed the city's form of government.
A yes would have put election of mayor and council in May without party affiliations. It would have reversed the outcome of a similar question two decades ago, when the city stopped nonpartisan elections and started the current form of government with nine council members, including three at-large and six from each ward.
Many saw the public question as a referendum on Small's administration.
"It was a hard-fought victory," Small said after all the districts were counted.
The no votes garnered nearly 57 percent of the unofficial tally.
"Atlantic City has its problems, but I'm committed to solving them," Small said. "It's a very, very difficult job, but I wake up every single day trying to find ways to make it better for us."
The no-vote win wasn't the only good news for Small on Election Night.
Kashawn "Kash" McKinley, the mayor's director of constituent services and special projects, won election onto the Board of Education, despite some attacks questioning the choice.
An interview on the Dirty Politics Podcast saw McKinley talking about his one-time dream of working in pornography.
The video was edited down by a local publication that raised issues with McKinley.
"At the end of the day, Kash is known in the community," Small said. "Every time they try to go dirty, it never works."
McKinley will join re-elected member Subrata Chowdhury and new member Hollisha Bridgers, both also endorsed by Small, who said he was happy for his wife, Superintendent Dr. La'Quetta Small.
He also noted his chief of staff, Ernest Coursey, who was holding a lead in the District 1 Atlantic County commissioner race over Republican challenger Vern Macon, with all but one district reporting.
