Now that the elections are over, some political outsiders will soon become insiders. While they might not feel or act like insiders, they will be on the other side of the desk or table — and that might change their perspective or require adjustments.

In the county’s most visible race, Jim Eckstein, a newcomer, and for several years, a near-constant critic of the current board of commissioners, is expected to bring change to the county Government Center.

In Butler, the city council will see two new faces. Republicans Lisa Guard and Cheri Scott were victorious in their bids for seats being vacated by Joseph Bratkovich and Fred Reese.

Meanwhile, the Butler School District will see five new faces on the school board.

Other school boards and townships also will see changes starting next year as challengers defeated incumbents and newcomers won contests Tuesday.

On the board at the Butler School District, several of the newly elected members have been critical of past board practices, especially involving transparency and public involvement in major decisions. Several of the board members-elect also have suggested they will press for more critical analysis or questioning of spending proposals than has been seen in the past. Complaints that the board is too often a rubber stamp for the administration’s proposals might mean change will be in the air when the new members are seated next year.

Butler’s next city council will boast four female members when Guard and Scott join incumbent Kathy Kline and Mayor Maggie Stock. Richard Schontz Jr. will be the only male on council. The gender makeup of the council is an interesting detail, but the really important issue is how to lift the city out of its financial crisis and how to help revitalize the downtown district with new businesses.

Guard and Scott bring business backgrounds and a focus on the importance of revitalizing the Main Street corridor. They will approach these challenges with eyes wide open. Voters no doubt hope that they also bring new ideas, energy and a willingness to make difficult decisions when necessary.

The county Government Center is likely to see the most change come January. When the next board of county commissioners is sworn in, newcomer Eckstein will join incumbent Dale Pinkerton and Bill McCarrier, who served in the commissioners’ office in the 1990s.

McCarrier and Pinkerton will bring stability and experience to the board. Eckstein will bring a reputation of challenging the status quo and a passion for protecting taxpayers’ interests.

For several years, Eckstein has, to his credit, attended nearly all commissioner meetings. He challenged current board members often, but sometimes the tone devolved to personal attacks and mutual disrespect. That will have to change.

Eckstein and Pinkerton will have to put the past behind them and learn to work together. They might not always, or often, agree, but they will have to learn to express their differences with civility and patience.

As an outsider, Eckstein criticized the commissioners’ office for a lack of transparency. Once he becomes an insider, it will be interesting to see how much new light he will shed on the workings of county government.

Eckstein can — and should — continue to challenge the status quo and question decisions or county government policy. But he, like the other winners in Tuesday’s election, will have to make some adjustments — from campaigning to governing.

For all the newly elected, campaigning was not easy — but the more difficult work is just beginning. They must transition from outsider to insider and begin their public service.