LAWRENCE — Supporters packed City Hall and flooded Essex Street as state Rep. William Lantigua became the city and state's first elected Hispanic mayor, beating challenger David Abdoo by 1,038 votes.

In Spanish, hundreds chanted "Si se pudo," (Yes we did) and shouted Lantigua's name over and over.

Alex Veras, 40, of Lawrence, started crying as he watched the sea of blue and white Lantigua signs coming into City Hall after the votes were counted.

"To grow up here and see this, it's history. It's like (John F. Kennedy) in the 1960s and the Catholics," said Veras, wiping his eyes. "We've arrived."

Through a bullhorn, a jubilant Lantigua said, "It's good being the first Hispanic, but our legacy will be to be remembered as the best."

"I want to be a mayor for all Lawrence residents," he said.

A Dominican immigrant who came to the U.S. when he was 19, Lantigua, 54, has served as state representative since 2003. He's said if he won the mayor's race he'd relinquish his state representative's seat. But he wouldn't say if he'd do that immediately or when his legislative term expires in 2010.

After the ballots were counted last night, Lantigua pulled up to his 225 Essex St. headquarters to a crowd of fans swarming the sidewalk, screaming his name and reaching their hands out toward him. Once he was inside his headquarters, people crowded around the windows, their hands and faces pressed against the glass, cheering whenever he looked their way.

"I wanted to touch him," said Maribel Rodriguez, after he had passed by. "Incredible. Incredible." Lantigua succeeds Mayor Michael Sullivan, who served two terms and could not run again due to term limits.

Lantigua captured 7,095 votes, 54 percent of the ballots cast, while Abdoo garnered 6,057 votes, or 46 percent.

In all, 13,189 voters - 38 percent of the city's 34,879 registered voters - went to the polls yesterday, according to City Clerk William Maloney.

Lantigua's victory ends an election season that saw 10 mayoral candidates competing for two spots in the primary. As Lantigua and Abdoo competed for votes in the final election, they had completely opposite strategies with Abdoo participating in organized forums and debates while Lantigua skipped the events and snubbed the press.

Abdoo, a Lawrence native and city councilor for the past two years, called Lantigua and congratulated him on his victory around 8:30 last night.

"I extended my congratulations and he was very gracious," Abdoo said. "I told him, 'You'll be my mayor on Jan. 2.'"

Hundreds of Abdoo supporters gathered last night at the Claddagh Pub on Canal Street. When Abdoo arrived, his supporters chanted his name and hugged him. The song "Don't Stop Believing" by the band Journey played in the background.

In a brief concession speech, Abdoo profusely thanked all who backed him. He spoke of the future and the need to keep improving Lawrence.

"The city must move forward and we must be part of that future," Abdoo said. "We have new mayor and we must support that mayor."

"You're a good man David," someone yelled out, causing the crowd to burst into applause.

"We ran a good clean campaign, a campaign by the numbers. We all learned a lot. This has been a great ride," Abdoo said.

While Abdoo left the race on a positive note, many of his supporters were clearly devastated by the loss.

"This city is in the toilet," said resident Dick Blatchford, calling Lantigua "dishonest."

Both Lesly Melendez and Bill Blanchette, Abdoo's campaign managers, said their observers at polling places yesterday observed many irregularities, including wardens who spoke only in Spanish and cars with New Hampshire plates bringing four or five people to the polls at a time.

"The people of Lawrence have spoken. This is what they wanted. Let's hope they made the right decision," Melendez said.

Joseph Beaulieu, a city police officer and relative of Abdoo, said "certainly the right person didn't win."

"It's a shame. I think the city is missing out on what a great mayor Dave would have been," Beaulieu said.

Back at City Hall, Lantigua's mother, Ana Elvira Soto, could not stop smiling, as friends and supporters congratulated her. "My son is very honest and hardworking so I knew he was going to win," Soto said.

Oscar Rodriguez has lived in Lawrence for 42 years and said he knew the city would have a Hispanic mayor one day. Rodriguez credits Isabel Melendez for opening the doors when she ran for mayor in 2001.

"It was a long time coming. This is not only historic, but also very positive. But we can't rest on our laurels. We have to show we are able and can govern the city," he said.

ÔÇ°ÔÇ°ÔÇ°

Staff reporters Yadira Betances and Crystal Bozek contributed to this report.