The Latest: Defeated mayor cites refugee stance for loss

RUTLAND, Vt. – The Latest on the defeat of Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras by Alderman David Allaire (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Defeated Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras says he thinks his election defeat was due to his support for a plan to bring Syrian refugees to the economically depressed Vermont city.

Louras was defeated in Tuesday’s voting by Rutland Board of Alderman Member David Allaire.

Louras was seeking his sixth two-year term.

Allaire says a change in leadership is needed to heal the city of about 16,500 that has been divided by Louras’ plans to bring up to 100 Syrian refugees to the community this year, and possibly more in years to come. So far two Syrian families have been resettled in Rutland. It’s unclear how many more will arrive.

Louras said Wednesday that he believes his community will be defined across the state and the nation by its stance on refugees.

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3 a.m.

City Councilor David Allaire has won the race for Rutland mayor, ousting an incumbent who wanted to bring refugees from Syria and Iraq to the community.

Allaire was victorious Tuesday over Mayor Christopher Louras, according to unofficial returns. Louras was seeking his sixth two-year term. Other candidates were downtown advocate Michael Coppinger and resident Kam Johnston, who’s running for several other city positions.

The candidates don’t run under a party affiliation.

Allaire says a change in leadership is needed to heal the city of about 16,500 that has been divided by Louras’ plans to bring up to 100 Syrian refugees to the community this year, and possibly more in years to come.

Louras’ campaign emphasized the city’s efforts to combat heroin use and his work to create jobs.