Groton — Republican businessman John F. Scott unseated six-term Democratic incumbent Edward E. Moukawsher on Tuesday in the 40th House District.

Scott won by a vote of 2,441 to 1,850, according to unofficial results.

“I think it really boiled down to the economy,” Scott said of the victory. “People just wanted change. They want better job opportunities and a better economy.

Scott, 45, president of Bailey Agencies Insurance of Groton, focused his campaign on eastern Connecticut’s job losses, saying people were unemployed, underemployed or leaving. He also questioned Moukawsher’s attendance record.

Moukawsher said his record was misrepresented.

“His negative campaign worked,” he said Tuesday. “I tried to run a positive campaign. He kept sending this mailer out with my face on a milk carton saying, ‘Missing.’ I thought people would find it over the top, but apparently they bought it.”

Moukawsher, 62, a lawyer and state representative for 12 years, said he was proud of his work during his time in office. The district includes sections of Groton City, Ledyard and Mystic.

“I know I did my job conscientiously,” he said. “I did a lot of positive things for the community.” Moukawsher, who lives in Groton, said it would be an adjustment no longer working as a legislator. “It’s been a big focus of my life for the last dozen years, and I’ll miss being in the marketplace of ideas,” he said.

Scott said he did not expect to win by such a comfortable margin. “I’m very pleased to have won today. I’m surprised by the spread, but I’m very humbled and honored to have been chosen as the next state representative for the Town of Groton.”

Scott, a Mystic resident and member of Groton Representative Town Meeting, said he understands the needs of small business and had met thousands of people through his insurance company who are financially struggling.

d.straszheim@theday.com

Twitter: @DStraszheim