State Rep. William Lantigua was elected mayor of Lawrence tonight, becoming the first elected Hispanic mayor in the history of the state.

The results of tonight's election also gives Hispanics a majority on the City Council with six of the nine members being Hispanic.

Lantigua defeated City Councilor David Abdoo 7,095 votes to 6,057.

Lantigua, 54, a state representative since 2002, will succeed Michael Sullivan, who is unable to run for re-election due to term limits.

"It's good being the first Hispanic, but our legacy will be to be remembered as the best," said a jubilant Lantigua, speaking to a throng of people through a bull horn. "I want to be a mayor for all Lawrence residents."

In Methuen, Mayor William Manzi III was re-elected to a third, two-year term over challenger Al DiNuccio by 4,437 to 3,954 votes.

In Haverhill, Mayor James Fiorentini was re-elected to a fourth, two-year term. He defeated challenger John Michitson 7,154 to 5,122 votes.

In Lawrence, hundreds of Lantigua's supporters filled City Hall, holding his blue and white campaign signs, chanting his name and cheering.

Cheering supporters also flooded Essex Street where Lantigua's district office is located.

Abdoo, a city councilor for the past two years, called Lantigua around 8:30 p.m. and congratulated him on his victory.

"I told him he'll be our mayor on Jan. 2 and I'm not going anywhere. His success will be our success," Abdoo said.

In Methuen, Manzi was sitting in his City Hall office with his family tonight.

"I'm delighted with a win, but as you know, there's work to be done," Manzi said.

"I think we need to take a good hard look at ourselves after two terms and determine how we move forward in a third term."

"We gave him a heck of a run," DiNuccio said at his home, where his family and supporters had a party. "We feel we did everything we possibly could do."

In Haverhill, Fiorentini thanked Michitson for running a positive campaign.

"Tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow the hard work begins," Fiorentini said.