Riding the support of labor unions and endorsements from key elected officials, State Rep. Marty Walsh narrowly defeated At-Large City Councilor John Connolly on Nov. 5 to become the next mayor of Boston. Mayor Thomas Menino is stepping down after 20 years in office.
Walsh garnered around 52 percent of voters, or 72,514 votes, while Connolly collected 48 percent, according to the unofficial City results. About 38 percent of registered voters participated in the election.
In the At-Large City Councilor race, incumbents Ayanna Pressley and Stephen Murphy; former city councilor and 2009 mayoral candidate Michael Flaherty; and newcomer Michelle Wu each notched one of four spots. They beat out four other challengers.
In the race for the District 8 City Council seat, which covers Mission Hill, Josh Zakim defeated Michael Nichols. Zakim garnered 53 percent of voters, or 4,485 votes, while Nichols received 47 percent. Mike Ross, who currently holds the seat, gave up a chance at reelection for a failed bid for mayor.