The mayoral election face-off between incumbent Mayor Greg Sparrow and challenger Frank Van Buer came to an end with Tuesday’s voting.

Sparrow announced his defeat to supporters Tuesday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1336 E. Lincoln Highway.

“The people of DeKalb have voiced their opinion,” Sparrow said. “We did everything we should have done.”

Sparrow said he was disappointed and will not run for mayor or any other public office again.

“I discussed this with my wife and we decided that this would be my last shot at doing my best to make a difference in DeKalb,” Sparrow said.

Sparrow’s loss was a big upset to his supporters and campaign volunteers.

Volunteer Paige Everly thinks the lack of student votes was a key factor in Sparrow’s loss.

“Greg is very connected to the university,” Everly said. “Not getting the student vote hurt.”

Van Buer’s lack of experience was Everly’s main concern.

“DeKalb’s economy is at such a crossroad right now,” Everly said. “I worry that Van Buer doesn’t have the experience to lead us in the right direction.”

The issue of inexperience was one shared among many Sparrow supporters.

Volunteer Vincent Frye said he thinks Van Buer lacks the experience needed to provide DeKalb with what it needs to grow.

“Van Buer said he could do it better, but he never said how,” Frye said.

Frye, a longtime DeKalb resident, said he hopes the economic progress over the last four years continues.

“I’m ashamed Van Buer won because I don’t know where he plans to take DeKalb,” Frye said.

DeKalb native Larry Finnan was also disappointed by Sparrow’s loss.

“Sparrow had local DeKalb in mind when it comes to growth,” Finnan said.

It would have been nice to see Sparrow receive credit for his accomplishments as they develop and mature over the next few years, Finnan said.