The Boston Globe

Walsh, Connolly advance in mayor’s race

Martin Walsh and John Connolly emerged from a crowded field of 12 candidates in tonight’s preliminary mayoral election. The two will face off in November in the race to succeed Mayor Thomas Menino.

Results of the preliminary election for mayor

DATA: AP

Gabriel Florit / Globe Staff

Leominster voters approve slot parlor plan

Voters in Leominster strongly endorsed a gambling proposal from Cordish Cos., completing the field of contestants for the state’s only slot parlor license.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Martin Walsh gave a victory speech at Venezia Restaurant in Dorchester.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

John Connolly appeared at his election night rally with his wife, Meg, and newborn daughter Mary Kate.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Martin Walsh supporters cheered when word of the returns came in at the Venezia Restaurant in Dorchester.

Globe staff

State Representative Martin J. Walsh (left) will face off against City Councilor John R. Connolly in November.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

A man wearing a Martin Walsh t-shirt celebrated with other supporters.

jessica rinaldi for the boston globe

John Connolly supporters Deanna Palmini, Ken Tutunji, and Paul Duffy watched returns.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Daniel Conley conceded the race.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Voters and campaign signs outside the Cristo Ray school in Dorchester's Savin Hill neighborhood on Tuesday.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

John Barros took time out to talk to his campaign workers at his Mattapan campaign office.

Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley greeted a voter outside Holy Name School in West Roxbury.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Bill Walczak cast his ballot at the Cristo Rey School in Dorchester.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Mayoral candidate Michael Ross greeted a voter outside the Curley School in Jamaica Plain.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Stephnie Elson of Jamaica Plain filled out a ballot while holding her 2-year-old daughter, Clara.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Mayoral candidate Charlotte Golar Richie (left) got a kiss outside a Boston firehouse..

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff

Mayor Thomas Menino cast his vote at the Roosevelt School in Hyde Park.

Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

Connolly cast his ballot at St. George Orthodox Church in West Roxbury.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Mayoral candidate Rob Consalvo was handed an "I Voted" sticker after voting in Hyde Park with his family.

Martin J. Walsh stood outside the Cristo Ray School in Dorchester after casting his vote Tuesday morning.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Martin J. Walsh stood outside the Cristo Ray School after casting his vote Tuesday morning.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Felix Arroyo campaigned at the Forest Hills T station.

Analysis

Walsh, Connolly must now fight for same ground, distinguish themselves

Martin Walsh of Dorchester and John Connolly of West Roxbury turn now to a general election that will force them to wrestle over the city’s geographic middle.

SCOT LEHIGH

Voters will expect a contest of ideas

The mayoral election won’t be an old-fashioned Boston neighborhood race but instead will be a campaign of ideas, causes, and constituencies spread across the city.