Voters pick newcomers and stalwarts

Councilors at Large John R. Connolly and Stephen J. Murphy topped the ticket, with newcomers Felix G. Arroyo and Ayanna S. Pressley leading the rest of the field.

Connolly claimed 51,308 votes, finishing 346 ahead of Murphy, as both received votes from nearly half of the 111,067 voters who went to the polls. Arroyo scored votes from nearly 41 percent of the electorate, and Pressley received votes from about 38 percent.

“I’m excited to work with the two new councilors, and I’m excited to continue working with Councilor Murphy, but overall I’m just thrilled that we’ve gone in one term from the fourth position to the first,’’ said Connolly, 36, whose campaign theme was “One Boston’’ and who produced ads and brochures in seven languages. “What really counts is that we’ve won support across the entire city.’’

In an election season dominated by an unusually difficult reelection fight for Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the race for City Council quietly made its own history.

The youngest and most diverse field in memory was also hailed as one of the deepest ever, with a slate of ambitious 30-something candidates campaigning not just for seats on the council but for the council to be a larger force at City Hall. The body is known for fielding constituent concerns and providing a launch pad for mayoral candidates, but it is often regarded as having little power.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a field like this in the at-large race, young, professional, competent candidates that have a lot of good ideas,’’ said Michael Roberts, a Hyde Park resident who was out yesterday supporting Connolly.

Murphy, 52, ran as the elder statesman, asking voters to return him to the council to provide experience amid departures - Michael F. Flaherty Jr. and Sam Yoon vacated their at-large seats to run for mayor - particularly on budget matters.

“I’m happy to return and looking forward to going in there with my colleagues, because we’ve got some financial issues that are going to face us,’’ said Murphy, a councilor since 1997.

Arroyo, 30, is a community and labor organizer whose professional campaigns include winning better pay and benefits for custodians. Although he most often identifies himself as the husband, son, and brother of Boston teachers, he is perhaps best known as the son of former councilor at large Felix D. Arroyo, until now the only Latino to serve on the council.

“We’re humbled; we’re honored,’’ Arroyo said. “I really appreciate that the voters of Boston put their faith in me.’’

Pressley, 35, is a native of Chicago who until recently worked as political director for Senator John F. Kerry, who campaigned for her in Boston. She ran for office to serve the public at the community level, she said.

“I don’t know what to say; I’m beside myself,’’ an elated Pressley said last night during her campaign party in Dorchester. “It’s an honor to represent the city, but I care much more about the awesome responsibility and the chance to serve the city.’’

Pressley will be the first African-American woman ever and the first black candidate in nearly 20 years to serve as a citywide councilor in Boston.

Tito Jackson, a 34-year-old from Grove Hall who works on job creation in Governor Deval Patrick’s administration, was a distant fifth, finishing with 30,173 votes. Fifth often foreshadows future success, with Connolly and Murphy, among others, counting fifth-place finishes on their resumes.

Andrew P. Kenneally, a 34-year-old former congressional and City Hall aide, finished sixth; Tomas Gonzalez, 38, a former Latino liaison for Menino, was seventh; and Doug Bennett, 33, a former Nantucket selectman, was eighth.

In the district races, four of nine incumbents faced opponents, and each officeholder prevailed: Salvatore LaMattina of East Boston in District 1, Chuck Turner of Roxbury in District 7, Council President Michael P. Ross of Mission Hill in District 8, and Mark S. Ciommo of Allston-Brighton in District 9.

Although some candidates bounced from precinct to precinct yesterday, Connolly spent the entire day outside the Mary E. Curley School in Jamaica Plain, often the only contender present. That allowed for plenty of one-on-one time with voters, as Connolly began his pitch - “I’m John Connolly, I’m a first-term councilor-at-large, former teacher . . .’’ - near the sidewalk and continued speaking to receptive voters all the way to the school’s side door.

“Good stuff, good stuff,’’ one woman said, pledging her vote after hearing him highlight his proposals, such as a shared bike program and a high school dedicated to environmental sciences.

At West Roxbury’s Holy Name Parish Hall, home to four of the busiest of Boston’s 254 precincts, an assortment of candidates and their staff, family members, and volunteers crowded the pavement in front of the entrance. During the afternoon lull that befalls even the most bustling of polling places, there seemed to be 10 personalized campaign pitches for every voter.

“Excuse me, I’m Doug Bennett,’’ Bennett said, extending a hand as a voter approached.

“Can I give you a card for my son?’’ Kenneally’s father, Tom, asked, wearing an Andy09.com T-shirt and offering a palm card.

“I’m Tito Jackson,’’ the candidate said, flashing a broad smile and offering a campaign flier attached to a small baggie with a slice of banana bread. “I’d appreciate one of your four votes.’’

Jackson and his supporters dished out more than 1,000 slices of his Aunt Bertha’s homemade banana bread, cut from 100 loaves that she prepared during a week of baking. Most of it went to the voters.

“Let me tell you something,’’ Bennett said. “I ate the banana bread, and his [aunt] makes some good banana bread.’’

Eric Moskowitz can be reached at emoskowitz@globe.com.