BOSTON -- Forty-nine cities in Massachusetts are electing mayors Tuesday, with the high-profile Boston election taking center stage.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that Mayor Tom Menino is seeking a fourth term. Challenger Maura Hennigan would be the city's first woman mayor should she unseat Menino.

Election Day Roundup

They both were up at the crack of dawn voting early and campaigning all day. Menino and his wife, Angela, were 10th in line at Hyde Park's Readville polling place. He is hoping for a sizeable victory to usher in his fourth full term. Outside, he was greeted by his grandchildren, Taylor and Thomas, and their mother, Lisa.

"We continue to be positive about the city. We have a great city here, and it's come a long way in the last 12 years. We will continue to have the city grow and hope for more opportunities for people who live in the city."

An hour later, Hennigan, a 24-year veteran of the Boston City Council, voted in her Jamaica Plain neighborhood with several hours of campaigning already under her belt.

Hennigan is giving up her citywide council seat in hopes of becoming the first woman mayor of Boston. She's hoping for a big turnout in areas that she believes favor her -- West Roxbury, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain and Mission Hill.

"That's what's nice about democracy. Each individual vote is cast and that person gets to make his or her own decision. That's what it's all about. I look forward to the outcome. I will be waiting at 8 p.m. to get the final results," she said.

Menino's last campaign drew about 36 percent voter turnout. He's predicting the same Tuesday, but unusually active City Council races may bring out more voters -- especially in areas with a large number of racial minorities.

Menino is hoping that will favor him, although Hennigan's camp claims traditionally, a higher turnout helps the challenger.