WARWICK — Mayor Scott Avedisian last night kept his winning streak going with his sixth successful bid for leader of the state’s second-largest city.

“I think people feel a tangible connection to me,” he said. “People said, ‘I’m not voting Republican, but I’m voting for you.’ ”

Before winning his first mayoral bid in 2000, Avedisian, 43, served nine years on the City Council. This year, Avedisian ran on a platform that highlighted Warwick’s successes: preserving 41 acres of open space at Rocky Point, completing a new public safety complex and leading the state in recycling, with the implementation of an automated trash collection system.

From the onset, his opponent, John “Jack” Kirby, 56, planned to run a “blue-collar, grass-roots” campaign, focusing on door-to-door conversations and meetings with residents. He owns Kirby Bros. Construction, which specializes in installing and repairing sewer lines.

By yesterday evening, it had already been a long day for Kirby. The Democratic candidate started around 2:30 a.m. putting campaign signs at every polling location throughout the city. He’d gone home to freshen up and spent the rest of the day campaigning outside of polling locations. “It’s hard to beat the incumbent,” Kirby said. “I got my name out there, so I can get ready for my next campaign, in two years.”

— Talia Buford