November 4, 2009 Lantigua Mass.'s 1st Latino elected mayor Play video

(NECN: Josh Brogadir, Lawrence, Mass.) - With all precincts reporting, state Rep. William Lantigua (D) defeated City Councilor David Abdoo in the race to become mayor of Lawrence, according to NECN's Josh Brogadir.

With the vote, Rep. Lantigua becomes the first-ever Latino elected to the office of mayor in Massachusetts history. Lawrence is a city made up of about 70 percent Latino residents.

Both men were seeking to replace Mayor Michael J. Sullivan who was barred from running again due to term limits.

These are the numbers from each camp, with all precincts reporting:

• Lantigua: 7,095
• Abdoo: 6,507

In another Commonwealth city, Springfield, voters were poised to elect a number of minority candidates to city council under a new, voter-approved system that gives great voice to minority neighborhoods.

Material from The Associated Press used in this report.