O’Malley, Valerio Give Their Mid Election-Day Impressions

Boston residents have headed to the polls in droves on this unique municipal election Tuesday.

For the first time in 20 years, Boston will have a new mayor elect at the end of today, but locally, City Councilor Matt O’Malley has a challenger in a race for the District 6 (Jamaica Plain/West Roxbury) city council seat.

Luis Valerio, from West Roxbury, said he feels he has a connection to the Latino community heavily represented in Jamaica Plain.

“I feel very positive especially in Jamaica Plain [being the] only Latino and first Dominican,” he said, checking in from West Roxbury. “I work very hard with several groups in Jamaica Plain…I feel very confident.”

O’Malley, the District 6 incumbent who has served on the city council for three years, said he feels confident he’ll win another term.

“It’s been really heartening to visit polling locations through West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, the feedback has been extraordinary,” he said checking from his car while scurrying  between neighborhoods.

He said the high turnout has already made it a great day for local politics.

“Obviously most of us in elected office want to see the higher turnout, nice to see heightened interest in local affairs,” he said.

O’Malley is hopeful that he is en route to a win against the lesser-known challenger Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean the humble city councilor didn’t hit the pavement during campaign season.

“We’ve worked very hard…I’ve literally worn out two pairs of shoes,” he said, “but we’re not taking anything for granted.”