Secular candidate Nir Barkat declared victory over Ultra-orthodox rival Meir Porush in the Jerusalem mayoral election early Wednesday morning. With all polling stations reporting in the capital, Barkat won 52 percent of the vote versus Porushs 43 percent. Russian billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak came in distant third with just 3.6 percent. Meanwhile in Tel Aviv, incumbent Mayor Ron Huldai won an additional five-year term in office. Huldai won an overwhelming 50 percent of the vote compared to just 34 percent for challenger Dov Khenin. 11/12/08
