Tuesday, November 3, 2009

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Lawrence elects 1st Hispanic mayor in Mass.

LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Rep. William Lantigua has defeated City Council David Abdoo in the Lawrence mayoral race, becoming the first Latino to be elected mayor in state history.

Both men were seeking to replace Mayor Michael J. Sullivan who was barred from running again due to term limits.

The Lawrence race generated attention statewide after Lawrence became the first city in the state where registered Latino voters outnumbered white voters.

The 54-year-old Lantigua has been criticized throughout the campaign for refusing to debate the 42-year-old Abdoo.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)