Aussie wins US mayoral election with landslide victory

An Australian man has been elected mayor of one of the most historic cities in the US with a landslide victory.

Gavin Buckley grew up in the Perth suburb of Belmont and settled in Annapolis, Maryland, after meeting his now-wife Julie and having two sons.

Annapolis has a population of 40,000, is home to the US Naval Academy and was the site where Americans claimed their independence from Great Britain in 1784.

Mr Buckley co-owns several restaurants in the city and has been credited with revitalising it's downtown West Street precinct.

"It's become a street where locals go. It's become a street where creative people are drawn to. That same resolve we brought to West Street we want to bring to the whole city," Mr Buckley told 9NEWS.

He is credited with being one of the people behind popular community events Dining Under the Stars, the First Sunday Arts Festival, the Chocolate Festival, and the Fringe Festival.

Mr Buckley has cited his business acumen as one of the key reasons his grassroots campaign was so successful.

"We couldn't be happier. I think Annapolis sent a clear message. They want some new ideas and some vision for the future," he said.

His campaign manager, Scott Travers, a former Hillary Clinton field organiser, has credited Mr Buckley's community-mindedness as one of his drawcards to voters.

"Gavin would identify people he’s known in town for 25 years," Mr Travers told the Capital Gazette.

Sadly, Mr Buckley's celebrations following his mayoral victory were short-lived.

He made the 36-hour trip back to Perth on Thursday to mourn the loss of his uncle John Butler, who died from liver cancer on Sunday November 5.