Boston City Councilor John R. Connolly skipped his usual election-day routine to cuddle up to a special “early return” – a baby boy.

Connolly, 36, and his wife, Meg Kassakian Connolly, 34, welcomed little Edward “Teddy” Ronan Connolly into the world yesterday at 9:14 p.m. at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. “Win or lose, I’m happy with baby boy Teddy coming on the scene,” said the proud papa. “We were calling him our best early return ever.”

Connolly, who was elected to the council in 2007, and City Council Stephen Murphy were the only incumbents in yesterday’s field of 15 candidates for four at-large seats on the council.

Connolly’s wife was due to give birth yesterday, but when Teddy arrived a tad early Monday night, Connolly e-mailed his campaign staff and volunteers to let them know politics was taking a back seat to fatherhood.

“I said I won’t be out there tomorrow. Got get ’em,” said Connolly, who boasts 200 volunteers working on his behalf.

Connolly did sneak away to vote at St. George Orthodox Church in West Roxbury with his daughter, Clare, 17 months. He said his wife voted last week by absentee ballot. He was hoping to attend his election night party at Robyn’s Bar and Grill in Roslindale, but little Teddy was staying with his mom.

“We like to get people involved early, but Teddy’s a little too young,” Connolly said. “One text someone sent me said, ‘Brilliant campaign strategy.’ You can’t plan these things. Teddy has immpecable timing.”