Boston’s four at-large incumbent councilors keep their seats

The race was largely seen as a matchup between At-Large Councilor Henry Santana — a close Wu ally who was widely considered to be the incumbent most at risk of losing his seat— and former District 3 Councilor Frank Baker, who came in fourth and fifth, respectively, in September’s preliminary.

After declining to run for reelection to his district seat in 2023, Baker vied for an at-large seat this year, pledging to provide pushback against the mayor. But Santana finished well ahead of Baker on Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Just after 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, with all of the city’s 275 precincts reporting results on the city’s election results website, Council President Ruthzee Louijeune led the at-large race with 54,503 votes. Councilor Julia Mejia was in second with 47,422 votes, followed by Councilor Erin Murphy with 46,360 votes, and Santana with 43,904 votes. Baker finished fifth in the eight-way race with 28,346 votes.

After polls closed Tuesday night, supporters packed the cocktail bar Grace by Nia in the Seaport for Wu, Santana, and Louijeune’s joint election night movie event, dancing to live track and enjoying small snacks under pink and blue lights.

Wu took the stage just before 9:45 p.m. to celebrate her own election victory, as well as to announce that Louijeune had topped the at-large ticket, and that Santana was also “overwhelming reelected in a landslide.”

“Congratulations Madam President, thank you for your clarity, your determination, the way you always lead out of love for our city,” Wu said. “Henry, you have proven once again that Boston will not be bullied or bought, no matter how hard some try to fear monger or drag us backward; Boston just keeps marching forward.”

The crowd cheered and chanted Santana’s name as he prepared to address the crowd.

“Sometimes, the underdog prevails,” Santana said, tears streaming down his face as he thanked his supporters, colleagues, and his family.

“Two years ago, the people of Boston took a chance on me, on an immigrant raised in public housing in Mission Hill, who graduated from Boston Public Schools and got a city job,” he continued. “Tonight, I am so grateful to the thousands of residents of Boston who have placed their trust in me again.”

Joyce Lukelo, an 18-year-old Suffolk University student, said she volunteered to canvass for Santana this election season, and felt “fantastic” seeing him win after she cast her ballot for him.

“I really love what he’s doing for the youth of Boston, and also his background really resonated with me,” Lukelo said Tuesday night at Grace by Nia. “Having immigrant parents and seeing that he can come from a kind of rough beginning and work his way up in the community is something really beautiful and moving to me.”

Louijeune called the election results a “resounding endorsement” from voters that they approve of Boston’s elected leadership, and their work to move the city forward.

“We are not doing our jobs if we are not solving problems every single day, and I am so grateful that you allow me to help solve problems and lead this city into a brighter future every single day,” Louijeune told the crowd.

Across town at Florian Hall in Dorchester, Baker supporters milled around eating meatballs and chicken parm, listening to “Don’t Stop Believin’” and other songs from the DJ.

Baker addressed the crowd just before 9:30 p.m., saying he felt optimistic but didn’t expect results until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“There’s real honor in a job well done,” Baker said, shortly before leaving the event. “I feel good about where we are. We did good every place in the city.”

Felix Cutillo, 55, said he supported Baker because he believes Baker represents Bostonians who want common sense solutions and a moderate voice in local politics. Cutillo said he appreciates Baker’s positions on crime, housing affordability and taxes for senior citizens.

“I think that we need to steer the council more towards those issues, rather than global issues,” he said. “Take care of us first. Don’t forget the people that are here, that grew up here, that live here.”

Alexandra Valdez, a first-time candidate who has worked in City Hall for roughly 10 years, finished the race with 23,294 votes, ahead of the other first-time candidates — Marvin Mathelier, a small business owner and Marine Corps Reserves member, who got 20,953 votes, and Will Onuoha, a City Hall employee of nearly two decades, who received 17,416.

Santana, who is 30 and just finishing his first term in elected office, is the youngest and least experienced of the at-large councilors.

He previously worked as Wu’s director of civic organizing. On the council, Santana has at times faced criticism for appearing to act as a proxy for the mayor, rather than an independent voice for voters.

Santana previously told the Globe he believes in the mayor’s vision for the city, and is proud to collaborate with her on issues including youth jobs and affordable housing. Wu has frequently rallied support for Santana this year, with the two often campaigning together. Wu also mobilized her network to help Santana in the spring, when he struggled to get the 1,500 signatures necessary to qualify for the ballot.

Wu’s critics argue that the number of Wu-aligned officials on the council, including Santana, has meant that the body has not been a strong enough check on Wu in recent years.

Baker — a frequent Wu antagonist and one of the council’s most conservative voices during his 12 years in the District 3 seat — promised to provide more balance.

Former Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh endorsed Baker, a longtime friend, in the race, along with Valdez. Wu previously said she voted for Santana, Louijeune, and Valdez in September’s preliminary election.

Niki Griswold can be reached at niki.griswold@globe.com. Follow her @nikigriswold.