City Councilman Eric Garcetti defeated Controller Wendy Greuel to become next mayor of Los Angeles after a campaign in which he depicted his rival a pawn of powerful labor bosses.

With all precincts reporting Wednesday, the city councilman grabbed 54 percent of the votes against his fellow Democrat. Greuel had 46 percent.

Garcetti sent out a tweet thanking voters and saying he�s honored to lead the city.

In a statement, outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Garcetti would �guide our city into its bright future. I know I am leaving Los Angeles in good hands.�

Garcetti, 42, promised voters to increase jobs and patch up the city�s battered streets and sidewalks. He will be the city�s first elected Jewish mayor.

Garcetti shares a Latino heritage with the exiting mayor � he has Italian and Mexican roots from his father � but he has a far different resume than Villaraigosa, the product of a broken home from the tough streets east of downtown.

Garcetti is the son of a former district attorney who grew up in the San Fernando Valley�s tony Encino enclave, attended Columbia University and enjoys playing jazz piano.

Despite record spending, turnout at polls appeared sluggish after a campaign that centered on the city�s ailing economy and the influence of municipal unions. Only 1 of 4 voters in the nation�s second-most populous city was projected to cast a ballot, possibly a historic low in a city known to shrug at local politics.

Garcetti takes over on July 1.

A steady stream of negative advertising from the campaigns and outside groups has helped obscure the candidates� promises about free-flowing traffic, new jobs and better schools in coming years.

Garcetti�s commercials labeled Greuel �DWP�s mayor,� a reference to the Department of Water and Power, whose workers financed ads to help install her at City Hall.

Greuel and Garcetti emerged from a March primary in which no candidate secured the majority needed to win outright, leading to Tuesday�s runoff. Only about 2 in 10 voters went to the polls in that race.

The mayoral contest has seen record spending � over $30 million overall.

(AP)