WARWICK — Republican challenger Steve Colantuono defeated incumbent Democrat Robert Cushman for the Ward 1 City Council seat, winning 2,593 votes compared to 2,213 votes for Cushman, according to the state Board of Elections.

At a joint party for Warwick Republicans at Mayor Scott Avedisian’s headquarters on Post Road tonight, Colantuono said residents were looking for a change.

“They’re looking for someone on the council who will work with Scott and be reasonable,” he said. “That’s what we’re here to do.”

The two have squared off before, in 2006, when Cushman defeated Colantuono, then a Democrat, in the state primary.

Colantuono said much of his support came from the local AFL-CIO and teacher’s union.

“We’ve got to keep the momentum going forward,” he said. “We have to make sure this city keeps going in the direction we’re headed in.”

Avedisian, who held the council seat for nine years, praised Colantuono and told the rest of the Council to embrace change.

“The eight people left on the council [who] always talk about how bad things are better wake up tomorrow and understand that the best days are ahead in our city.”

Avedisian said that Colantuono will be a good addition to the group.

“It’s nice to have a partner and look at government service as something noble and someone to work with you instead of being negative.”

— TALIA BUFORD