BRIGHTON--Boston came one step closer to electing its next mayor yesterday as voters selected acting Mayor Thomas Menino and State Rep. James Brett as the two finalists in a nonpartisan preliminary election.

After one of the decade's most competitive mayoral races, Brett and Menino garnered more votes than six other candidates who had been vying for the position. Voters go to the polls November 2 to make the final decision.

As of late last night, counts from 201 of the 252 precincts showed Menino receiving 22,765 votes, or about 27 percent. Brett followed with 24 percent, and Suffolk County Sheriff Robert Rufo came in a close third with 20 percent.

After receiving word of his victory, Menino saluted the people of Boston from his headquarters at the Park Plaza Hotel. "To all of you," he said, "I pledge to make good the enormous trust you have placed in me."

Brett addressed Boston with a similar pledge. "This is your...fight to take charge of your future by taking responsibility for the city of Boston," he said from his headquarters at the Copley Plaza Hotel.

Trailing these frontrunners were City Councilor Rosaria Salerno, who had been a favorite until late last night, Councilor Bruce Bolling, former television journalist Christopher Lydon, former Police Commissioner Francis Roache and Republican attorney Diane Moriarty.

Approximately 110,000 voters turned out, constituting slightly less than half of eligible Boston residents.

But television network analysts said last night that it was the turnout in each candidate's "home base" that played an integral role in determining the final results. High voter turnout in east and south Boston and West Roxbury aided Menino, while Rufo was hindered by low figures in Brighton and Allston.

Although inclement weather may have deterred many voters, more ardent supporters did not miss the opportunity to endorse the candidates for whom they have been lobbying all summer. Education, crime and job creation were at the forefront of theissues which most concerned candidates and voters.

Swaying Voters in Brighton

In Brighton, the Oak Square fire station wasladen with banners, signs and picketers hoping tosway undecided voters as they entered.

"Rufo: Safety First" signs and "Rosaria"posters bearing the image of a pink rose plasteredthe stone facade of the building. Supporters ofMenino, Brett and Lydon were also vocal, handingout fliers as last minute reminders.

But most voters had evidently decided on theircandidate before they arrived. Although votersseemed to favor four of the eightcandidates--Menino, Rufo, Brett, and Salerno--Rufowas the favorite in Brighton.

"I think he's the most qualified," said oneRufo supporter who requested anonymity. "He knowsthe political system of Boston pretty well."

Another Rufo supporter, perhaps influenced bythe abundance of Rufo signs lining the streets,had just decided to support the candidateyesterday. Tim M. Sullivan of West Roxbury saidthat he had decided on Rufo at the last minutebecause of his promises to counter crime.

But according to another supporter, Rufo'sdefeat may have been caused by poor campaignstrategy. The supporter, who requested anonymity,said that Rufo failed to track down those no-showvoters who had promised their support--and couldhave swung the vote in his favor.