The cities of Harrisburg and York both elected African-American women as mayors for the first time yesterday.

York elected its first black mayor 40 years after violent race riots in the Central Pennsylvania town led to the death of a white police officer and a black woman.

Democrat Kim Bracey beat Republican Wendell Banks in the general election. Democratic voters in York outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1.

Ms. Bracey is the city's former director of community development.

In Harrisburg, Democrat Linda Thompson, the Harrisburg City Council president, beat Republican challenger Nevin Mindlin in yesterday's general election.

Ms. Thompson will replace longtime Mayor Stephen Reed, whom she defeated in the Democratic primary. She is the first new mayor in 27 years.

Harrisburg is a heavily Democratic city that is about 56 percent black.

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