BOSTON – State Rep. Martin Walsh has defeated city councilor and fellow Democrat John Connolly in a hard-fought race to succeed longtime Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

With 95 percent of the votes counted, unofficial totals showed Walsh with 51 percent to 49 percent for Connolly. Connolly conceded Tuesday evening.

Turnout was brisk Tuesday as voters cast ballots in an election that for the first time in two decades didn’t include Menino’s name at the top of the ticket.

The 46-year-old Walsh relied on support from labor organizations to help his get-out-the-vote drive.

Walsh was a union official before being elected to the Massachusetts House in 1997. He has remained active in union affairs as a lawmaker.

Connolly made education his core issue and was hoping an “army of moms” that appeared with him at campaign events would help propel him.