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Rivera defeats Lantigua in Lawrence mayoral race

LAWRENCE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) -- Mayor William Lantigua has been defeated by Lawrence city councilor Daniel Rivera.

According to the Eagle-Tribune, an official vote count showed Rivera beating Lantigua by just 60 votes. Rivera won 7,625 votes, and Lantigua received 7,565 votes. Approximately 40 percent of the city's registered voters voted in the election.

The newspaper reports Rivera asked police to guard the ballots in anticipation of a recount. Lantigua did not immediately comment.

On Sunday, Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed Rivera for mayor, and in October, state Congresswoman Niki Tsongas endorsed him.

In the Sept. 17 primary race for two mayoral spots on Tuesday's ballot, Rivera received 2,799 votes, second to Lantigua, who received 5,725 votes in the six-way race, according to the Eagle-Tribune.

Lantigua, the incumbent, was elected in 2009 and was the state's first Hispanic mayor. His time in office has been plagued with problems, including two recall elections, a federal corruption investigation, and investigation by Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Coakley's office is currently suing Lantigua for campaign finance violations in 2009 and 2010.

Rivera has promised to improve schools and public safety and to work to attract jobs to the city.