NEWBURYPORT — Incumbent Larry McCavitt was unseated from his Ward 1 City Council seat last night by political newcomer Allison Heartquist, who dominated the vote on Plum Island on her way to 56 percent of the total.

On the Plum Island section of the ward, Heartquist, who lives on the island, secured 191 votes to McCavitt's 81. In the mainland section of the ward, Heartquist edged McCavitt, 385-361.

The 1,018 votes cast comprised nearly half of the 2,119 registered voters in Ward 1, which stretches from Joppa Flats onto Plum Island.

McCavitt, 66, was first elected to the council during a special election in 2006. He has lived in the city for 15 years and is retired from a career in government.

Heartquist has lived in the city for 41âÑ2 years and is the executive assistant to Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer. She and her husband have one daughter.

At her victory party last night at the Black Cow, Heartquist jumped up and down with joy. She thanked her supporters and the voters. "I want to thank everyone who came out and supported me," she said. "We are thrilled."

Waterfront issues dominate Ward 1, which has the most coastline of the city's six wards, meaning it faces problems other wards don't see, such as the erosion problems on Plum Island and concerns over the future development of the waterfront.

Though McCavitt has extensive experience in government and with waterfront issues in the city, Heartquist campaigned on a theme of change.

She said her main priorities will be open communication, respect and not special interests. The issues voters most talked about, she said, were education and getting a new voice for the ward, a "more progressive person."

"Communication is huge," she said.

The candidates' supporters often found themselves at odds, and that played out yesterday when Kelcey Buck, Heartquist's campaign manager, voiced concern after seeing McCavitt entering the polling site for the ward on Plum Island.

City Clerk Richard Jones confirmed that the campaign rules recently changed, prohibiting candidates for getting within 150 feet of a polling site. The rules used to allow candidates to enter the site, he said, as long as they weren't wearing campaign gear or soliciting voters.

McCavitt was unaware the rules had changed, Jones said, and was informed he needed to keep a distance.

Heartquist's supporters celebrated the victory last night.

Matt Pieniazek, a Marlboro Street resident, attended Heartquist's party.

"We're just delighted that Allison won, and I think Newburyport will be a better place because of it."

"I really like her," Buck said, saying she met Heartquist during the election process. "I like her experience, I like her energy."

Others were disappointed to see McCavitt go. Some voters leaving the polls yesterday said they liked McCavitt's passionate stand on issues.

"I've talked to him before; he's his own guy," said Laura Allgrove, 41, "He goes with the flow and goes to the beat of his own drum. I like that. I think it's important to ask what Karp's going to do, that's a big issue."

"I voted for Mr. McCavitt, I like his politics," Steve Bradberry said as he left the polls. "He's a hard worker, and he doesn't take any bull. He works for the people."

Staff Writer Danielle Rines contributed to this report.