BOSTON (AP) — State Rep. Martin Walsh was elected mayor of Boston on Tuesday, defeating City Councilor and fellow Democrat John Connolly in the hard-fought race to succeed longtime Mayor Thomas Menino.

Walsh told jubilant supporters gathered for a victory party that he would make the city a place where “dreams come true.”

Unofficial results with all of the votes counted showed Walsh with 52 percent to Connolly’s 48 percent.

“My parents had big dreams for their kids, but I’m not sure it was this big,” Walsh said.

Walsh said he had received a call from President Barack Obama moments before taking the stage. He said he’d also received a call from Menino.

Walsh invoked the city’s response to the Marathon bombing and the unlikely World Series victory by the Red Sox to characterize Boston as a place where hard work, hope and heart are rewarded.

He also alluded to his personal history, both as a survivor of cancer as a 7-year-old boy and his battle with alcoholism as a young adult — two struggles he made regular themes in campaign appearances and commercials.

“Together we’re going to make Boston a place where dreams come true for every child for every person in every corner of this city,” Walsh said. “For this son of immigrants, you’ve make Boston a place of comebacks and second chances and my life story’s made possible by this city.”

Walsh vowed to reform the public schools, attract businesses and make the streets safer.

Connolly conceded defeat earlier in the evening.

“We came up short tonight, but I am very proud of how we ran this campaign,” Connolly said. “This campaign looked like the entire city of Boston from Day 1 and I’m so proud of that.”

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu