WATERLOO - Black Hawk County will get its first new sheriff in two decades.

Tony Thompson, 38, of rural Cedar Falls, bested Mark Johnson, 50, of Waterloo, claiming 57 percent of the vote. Thompson collected 34,589 votes to Johnson's 25,105, according to unofficial results.

Sheriff Michael Kubik was elected in 1988 but is retiring.

Thompson ran on the Democrat ticket, and Johnson ran under the Republican banner.

"This has been a long campaign. I think it's been a well-fought campaign. We both ran a pretty darn positive and upbeat campaign, not a lot of negative stuff," Thompson said.

Thompson, a deputy assigned to the patrol division, is also the office's community services coordinator. He ran on a platform of making the sheriff's office more responsive to the public and increasing narcotics arrests.

During the race, Kubik, a Democrat, crossed party lines to endorse Johnson. Thompson had the support of a number of retired deputies.

"We cleared that hurdle. Now it's time for the change to begin. Now it's time for the transition to begin and to really start impacting a new era of law enforcement in Black Hawk County," Thompson said.

Johnson is a captain, the No. 2 man in the sheriff's office and the jail administrator. He ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and his background, which includes 32 years in law enforcement - 24 in supervisory roles.

Johnson said he will have no problem working under Thompson.

"I wish Tony well and will support him 100 percent and follow his guidance on wherever he wants the department to go," Johnson said Tuesday night.

Thompson will take office in January. He spent election day at work on patrol and said he was asked more than once why he didn't take the day off to concentrate on the race.

"I couldn't see myself sitting at home when the whole point of running is to be able to get out there and work," Thompson said.

The day included a methamphetamine investigation and tracking down a drunk driver who was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Buchanan County.

"Tomorrow morning we're going right back to work," Thompson said.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.