KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — After more than three decades on the bench, Municipal Judge John Rosson lost re-election to 32-year-old Tyler Caviness in the Knoxville General Election.

Rosson conceded the race shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

“I want to congratulate my opponent. I want to thank all the businesses and individuals who let me put signs on their property. The many people who volunteered for my campaign and supported me financially. I want to thank my law office staff. I want to thank the original city council who gave me this opportunity by appointing me as a city judge in 1986. I’ve had a wonderful experience working with the public, listening to their stories. I look forward to representing personal injury clients in my law practice,” wrote Judge John Rosson in a statement on Facebook.

Caviness is a former public defender. In the November 7 election, he gained 63.67% of the vote with 100% of precincts reporting.

“I did not get here alone,” Caviness said after the results were finalized. “I’ve worked really hard, my campaign team worked really hard but the outpouring of community support for the campaign has just been humbling.”

Gracious in his victory over Rosson, Caviness said that he will look to make an immediate impact.

“As far as day one, treating people with compassion, dignity and respect and upholding the law,” Caviness said. “Looking at ways that we can both big picture and day-to-day, make the court better.”

He is looking forward to making his courtroom his own.

“I’ll run that court as Tyler Caviness but certainly be looking to the tradition of that court,” Caviness said. “And what can we do, what can we keep that’s been done right and things that need to be changed, what can we change?”