Oak Bluffs voters sent a loud and clear message about their desire for change on Thursday, voting out two-term selectmen Ron DiOrio and board chairman Duncan Ross in favor of two fresh-faced challengers, former businessman Walter Vail and restaurateur Mike Santoro.

With 1,163 voters turning out, a 35 per cent turnout, Mr. Santoro led all candidates with 704 votes. Mr. Vail followed with 652 votes, while Mr. Ross received 385 votes, Mr. DiOrio got 264 votes and former health care administrator Abraham Seiman received 88 votes.

After the results were announced at the town library last night, Mr. Ross shook the hands of Mr. Vail and Mr. Santoro and offered words of congratulation.

Mr. Vail, a former vice president at Merrill Lynch who sits on the board of directors of the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Fund, said there was a familiar current in the electorate this year.

“I think there was a definite desire for a change,” he said. “That’s what I heard all over town and I’m glad I could be a part of that.”

Mr. Vail struck a gracious note for the departing selectmen as he looked ahead to his new challenges.

“It’s tough when you have a friend like Duncan,” he said. “Those guys have put a lot into the town and I’ll tell you I appreciate so much what they’ve done.”

Mr. Santoro: “Voters were tired of politics as usual.” — Ivy Ashe

His first order of business, he said, will be to introduce himself with his new colleagues.

“I want to get together with as many of the selectmen as I can as soon as I can and lay out a plan for all the things that I think need to be done, among them reviewing things like the budget. I also want to get together with Michael Dutton and see what I can do to start working with him.”

Lookout Tavern and Seasons Pub managing partner Mr. Santoro also embraced the message of change.

“The voters were tired of politics as usual in Oak Bluffs,” he said. “I ran my campaign on a fresh new voice and a new generation of leadership. We weren’t going to move forward until there was some change. I’m excited to work for this town and I’m excited that the people of this town think so highly of me.

Mr. Santoro said before the town raises any additional revenue he wanted to “get more bang out of the dollar we spend.”

Selectman candidate Abraham Seiman accepted the consolation of a seat on the finance committee along with commercial fisherman William Alwardt and Oak Bluffs resident Maura McGroarty. There were 1,058 blank ballots for that race.

Mr. Seiman said his first charge will be to make the finance committee “more powerful than it is.”

“If the finance committee is supposed to present the budget then we ought to be presenting the budget and not the selectmen. Our recommendations ought to come first,” he said.

Selectman Gail Barmakian ran for reelection on the wastewater commission and defeated Oak Bluffs business and restaurant owner Mark Wallace.

“The voters have sent a clear message,” she said as she left the library Thursday night.

In the only other contested race of the night Oak Bluffs Inn owner Erik Albert won reelection to the planning board over challenger Kris W. Chvatal.

Elected without contest were: Jesse Law 3rd, town moderator; Amy Billings, parks commission; John Tiernan, cemetery commission; Deborah Ratcliff, town clerk; Patricia Bergeron, board of health; Priscilla Sylvia, school committee; and Raymond Moreis, water commission.