BOSTON — Deval Patrick, a former Coca-Cola Co. executive, was elected the first black governor of Massachusetts and the first Democrat to take the office in 16 years, according to network projections.

Patrick, 50, who served as assistant U.S. attorney general for civil rights under President Bill Clinton, defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, independent convenience store owner Christy Mihos and Green Party candidate Grace Ross.

Patrick will become only the second black elected governor in U.S. history after Virginia Democrat Doug Wilder, who served from 1990 to 1994. His victory gives Democrats control of all elected branches of the state's government.

The incumbent, Republican Mitt Romney, didn't seek re- election and is a potential 2008 presidential contender.

A Chicago native, Patrick came to Massachusetts as a youngster when he won a scholarship to Milton Academy, a prep school south of Boston. He went on to Harvard Law School. Moving to the corporate world, he was general counsel for Texaco Inc. and then Coca-Cola Co., the world's largest soft-drink maker.

Patrick's run was his first for public office. He depended on a grassroots and Web-based organization to raise money and drive his campaign.