Incumbents fall as history made
In Lawrence, first Latino mayor in state
The suburban city of Newton chose its first African-American mayor and the city of Lawrence elected the state’s first Latino mayor in a history-making night that ushered in an era of diversity and new faces in several Massachusetts cities.
Chanting “Si se puede,’’ or “Yes, we can,’’ hundreds of jubilant Lawrence residents, many dancing and crying, gathered in City Hall last night to celebrate the election of the state’s first Latino mayor, Dominican-born William Lantigua, who won with 54 percent of the vote.
In Newton, voters chose their first African-American mayor, electing Setti Warren, an Iraq War veteran and former aide to US Senator John F. Kerry and Bill Clinton. He narrowly defeated veteran State Representative Ruth Balser, with 11,210 votes to her 10,747 votes, a reversal from the city’s Sept. 15 preliminary election, when Warren finished second behind Balser for the job vacated by three-term Newton Mayor David Cohen, who was not seeking reelection.
Elsewhere around the state, voters in Lynn, Worcester, Woburn, Brockton, and North Adams ousted incumbent mayors in several surprising shake-ups.
At Warren’s victory party at a Newton Centre restaurant, he reflected on arriving in Iraq two years ago as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve, an experience he rarely spoke about in his campaign.
“I saw some of the worst of what humanity can do and the worst of what humanity can be,’’ the 39-year-old Warren said. He contrasted that experience with Newton, which he said represents the best of what humanity can be.
“I stand before you humbly as the new leader of this remarkable community,’’ he said.
Balser is in her sixth term in the state Legislature and served eight years on the city’s Board of Aldermen. Conceding defeat last night, Balser congratulated Warren, saying, “We are committed to be partners, to continue working for the best of the people of Newton.’’
In Lawrence, Lantigua bested City Councilor David C. Abdoo to lead the place that bills itself as “Immigrant City’’ and has the state’s largest Latino population outside of Boston. Lantigua will succeed outgoing Mayor Michael J. Sullivan.
Lantigua addressed the crowd first in Spanish. “This is a historic night,’’ he said.
And then in English, to deafening cheers, he proclaimed his desire to serve the whole city: “To those who had a little bit of doubt as to why or what was my motivation to become mayor, I have this to say to you: Rest assured that I want to be mayor for all the residents of Lawrence.’’
Abdoo called Lantigua “a successful politician,’’ and wished him success, because “our lives depend on it.’’
Incumbents fared poorly yesterday, starting with the longest-serving mayor in the state, John Barrett III of North Adams, whose loss ended a 13-term reign that began in 1984. Fifty-eight percent of the voters in the Western Massachusetts community chose Dick Alcombright, Barrett’s 55-year-old challenger.
“I just got caught up in the winds of change,’’ said Barrett, adding that he felt the slumping economy was a major factor in his defeat. “This was not a good year to be an incumbent mayor.’’
In Worcester, Joseph O’Brien, an aide to US Representative James McGovern, defeated single-term mayor Konstantina Lukes, who came to office after Timothy Murray was elected lieutenant governor in 2006.
In Brockton, Linda Balzotti won the job from incumbent Jim Harrington with 57 percent of the vote, becoming the city’s first female mayor. “For every little girl growing up in Brockton who has been told by someone she can’t do something, all she has to do is look at me,’’ Balzotti said.
In Newburyport, Donna D. Holaday defeated fellow councilor James G. Shanley in the race to succeed retiring Mayor John Moak. Holaday, who lost to Moak when he first won the seat in 2005, said she was “so pleased that the Newburyport voters have put their trust and faith in me.’’ In Peabody, incumbent Michael Bonfanti easily defeated Russell Donovan for the city’s top job.
In the closest contest of the night, Lynn City Councilor Judith Flanagan Kennedy upset incumbent Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. by 27 votes to win the Lynn mayor’s race. Kennedy said she expects a recount.
In Woburn, two-term Mayor Thomas L. McLaughlin was unseated, losing to Alderman Scott D. Galvin.
“The people spoke. They want to see someone who has got a better vision for the city,’’ said Galvin, an attorney who is in his eighth term on the City Council.
Election Day was kinder to some incumbents.
In Methuen, two-term Mayor William M. Manzi, III held on to his seat, winning reelection in a tight race with challenger Al DiNuccio. Mayor William F. Scanlon earned another term in Beverly, handily defeating his challenger, Ward 3 Councilor John J. Burke.
Nancy Stevens won a third term as mayor of Marlborough, against political newcomer Joseph Collins, earning nearly 59 percent of the ballots cast.
Experience carried the day, according to Stevens.
In Gloucester, Mayor Carolyn Kirk ran unopposed, and Salem Mayor Kimberley L. Driscoll kept her seat, decisively defeating challenger Kenneth Sawicki, 4,288 to 729, according to unofficial results. Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer III kept his seat, defeating Alison Lindstrom. Mayor Lisa Wong of Fitchburg won handily against challenger Michael Voisine, and a write-in candidate.
Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch also defeated his challenger, former mayor William Phelan, in a contest which has been at times contentious and ugly.
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini cruised to a fourth term, easily defeating former city councilor John A. Michitson.
Globe correspondents Travis Andersen, Brian Benson, Michele Morgan Bolton, Calvin Hennick, John Laidler, James O’Brien, and Matt Rocheleau contributed to this report, along with Kathy McCabe and Steven Rosenberg of the Globe staff. Erica Noonan can be reached at enoonan@globe.com. 
