On the campaign trail, Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower’s opponents were younger, more aggressive and relentless during months of attacks on her character and competency.

But on election day, voters decided that Bower was better, by far.

The 12-year Beach commission veteran coasted Tuesday to a third and final term atop South Florida’s most glitzy city, raking in almost 60 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Her strongest competitor drew less than 24 percent.

“I feel great,” said a giddy Bower, who celebrated with a vodka tonic as wine flowed and fellow commissioners, friends and children shared hugs and laughs at Cafe Avanti in Mid Beach.

At 72, Bower will now have two more years to cement a legacy that already includes making history as both the city’s first Hispanic and female mayor.

While she blew away her political novice competitors, Bower endured bruising campaigns from comedian Steve Berke, 30, and tutor Dave Crystal, 34, as well as opposition from a third challenger, Laura Rivero Levey, 46.

Commissioner Deede Weithorn also coasted to reelection, defeating real estate agent Maria Meruelo, 45, by a two-to-one ratio despite Meruelo’s family spending at least $85,000 on her campaign.

“Miami Beach was not for sale tonight,” said Weithorn, 53.

Both incumbents must now focus on looming union negotiations that will be key to reversing ballooning pension obligations. They also must address concerns over Urban Beach Week and improving the city’s aging convention center as talks of opening up casino gaming across the bay threaten to trump the city’s renovation and expansion plans.

Bower said as she deals with those issues, she will keep in mind those who didn’t vote for her.

“I hear the 40 percent loud and clear,” she said. “I need to be a better leader.”

Bower’s challengers had hoped to capitalize on some frustration with city leaders and administrators and were disappointed Tuesday night after gaining some steam in the last month.

Berke’s profile in particular increased heading into election day, drawing interest from The New York Times and other publications, thanks to a creative but unconventional campaign. He utilized social media, comedy and outlandish antics such as interrupting a City Hall meeting with a mullet-wearing saxophonist.

But despite hopes of forcing a possible runoff with Bower, Berke, who presented a hard-partying image bolstered by his “After Party” platform, was left somber in a subdued Haven Lounge on Lincoln Road, refreshing the Miami-Dade Department of Elections website as Bower pulled away.

“I’m at a loss for words,” said Berke, who bit his lip and sported dark bags under his eyes. “We tried so hard to get our message out to non-voters.”

Berke may not be done. He has complained that the elections department undercut his efforts by belatedly sending out absentee ballots requested through his campaign. He said Tuesday night that he may file a lawsuit contesting the results if he feels as though he could have forced a runoff had more of his supporters received their ballots earlier.

An elections spokeswoman said the department sent all of Berke’s requested ballots out before the legal deadline on Friday.

Miami Herald writers Sarah Elder and Perry Stein contributed to this report.