Apopka residents were used to one mayor, John Land. After all, he's been the mayor of the city since 1949.

Residents in the Florida city of 44,000 decided it was time for a fresh face and chose Joe Kilsheimer instead of the 93-year-old Land.

Land has lead the city since 1949, taking only three years off since then. He faced a tough opponent though this year. Kilsheimer campaigned aggressively, saying the city needed a younger, more energetic leader.

Land, who cut his salary to $0 in 2008, even had the endorsement from Florida Senator Marco Rubio. But this year, it was just not meant to be.

Kilsheimer earned 54 percent of the votes, while Land gained the 46 percent. It was the most expensive election in Apopka's history, with Land spending almost $100,000 and Kilsheimer about $40,000.

In his concession speech, Land said he was sad, but "too old to cry" and didn't rule out another run for office.

More than likely, Land's political career is over. He is the longest serving mayor in Florida history, and believed to be the longest in U.S. history as well.

"All the young people here ... who worked on the campaign here, it's been an honor to serve," Land said. "I appreciate that."

Voters supported Land and some were crying when they found out he wouldn't be re-elected. Those who voted for Land were happy with what he has done in the past and many weren't familiar with Kilsheimer.

"You can see what Mayor Land has done. His opponent, we don't know. The city is too big to gamble on the unknown," Tim Ford, a lifelong resident of Apopka, said.

Others wanted to see what a new face could do for the central Florida city.

"I think it's time for some change, some new blood," Al Suarez, who voted for Kilsheimer, said.

The news of the mayoral race in the small city garnered media attention across the globe. Not only did ABC News, NBC News and Reuters run stories about the long-serving mayor, but the Dutch news site De Telegraaf ran a story on it as well.

Even while most think Land is done, Land says "never say never."