New London - In a landmark decision Tuesday, Democrats voted for change, picking a political newcomer as their candidate for mayor over a lifelong resident and two-term city councilor.

Daryl Justin Finizio soundly defeated City Councilor Michael Buscetto III in Tuesday's primary by an unofficial tally of 1,108 votes to 744 votes.

"To all the cynics who said this could not happen, that things would remain the same - at long last change is coming,'' Finizio shouted after walking hand-in-hand with his partner Todd Ledbetter into O'Neill's Brass Rail.

He congratulated Buscetto for a well-run campaign and thanked him for his service to New London.

"Today the people spoke, and their message was loud and clear,'' he said.

"I'm delirious with happiness,'' said Jake Kaeser, one of about 40 supporters gathered at the Bank Street bar to cheer on their candidate. "I was so hopeful, but I've been through so many disappointments. ... But he (Buscetto) had to be defeated.''

Among those who stopped by to congratulate Finizio were City Councilor Rob Pero, who is the Republican mayoral candidate; state Rep. Ernest Hewett, D-New London; and police Chief Margaret Ackley, who stopped her car in front of the bar and gave Finizio a hug.

About 30 percent of the city's 6,074 Democrats turned out to vote, according to William Giesing, Democratic registrar of voters.

Around the corner on State Street at Democratic headquarters, the mood was somber as Buscetto comforted his supporters, some of whom gasped when the vote was announced.

"It's OK. It's OK,'' he repeated over and over to those who reached out to hug him.

"Things didn't work out the way we planned, but we knew we were up against more than one candidate,'' he said. "There were a lot of forces trying to knock me off. But it's OK. It's politics."

Buscetto said the recent controversy surrounding the police chief, who accused him of meddling in police business and undermining her authority, hurt his campaign. He said people don't like to hear or read about controversy and ethics complaints.

"In a few weeks the community will see that nothing really happened, and I really haven't done anything,'' he said. "The chief became a politician. What she did was derail my campaign."

Buscetto said he is not sure if he will back Finizio in his bid for mayor.

"I'll see in the next month how things go, and I will support the best candidate,'' he said.

Finizio will face Pero, and three other petitioning candidates in November for the chance to be the city's first elected mayor in about nine decades. The other candidates are Martin Olsen, the ceremonial mayor, Lori Hopkins-Cavanagh and Andrew Lockwood.

At the Brass Rail, Pero shook hands with his opponent and promised a "spirited" campaign.

Finizio supporter and local music promoter Sean Murray said that Finizio reached out to many in the downtown arts community, many of whom are new to New London and making their first foray into local politics.

"He engaged us," Murray said.

Finizio, who forced the primary after the Democratic Town Committee overwhelmingly endorsed Buscetto in July, campaigned for nine months, bringing his ideas to residents by knocking on doors, appearing at downtown musical venues and meeting in backyard get-togethers.

Buscetto, in his gregarious style, reached out to his constituents in living room chats and political fundraisers and created a "One City, One Team" slogan to unite his fellow Democratic candidates for City Council and Board of Education.

William Satti, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, said Tuesday that the goal is now to get a Democrat elected mayor and fill seats on the City Council and the school board.

k.edgecomb@theday.com

Day Staff Writer Stephen Chupaska contributed to this report.