2021 Boston City Council election explained

Election Name:2021 Boston City Council election
Flag Image:Flag of Boston.svg
Type:legislative
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2019 Boston City Council election
Previous Year:2019
Next Election:2023 Boston City Council election
Next Year:2023
Seats For Election:13 seats on the Boston City Council
Majority Seats:7
Election Date:November 2, 2021
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election1:13
Map Size:250px
President of the City Council
Before Election:Matt O'Malley
Before Party:Nonpartisan politician

The 2021 Boston City Council election was held on November 2, 2021. All thirteen councillors from the nine districts and four councillors at-large were up for election. Elections in Boston are officially nonpartisan.

Councillors Andrea Campbell, Annissa Essaibi George, Kim Janey, and Michelle Wu ran in the mayoral election, while Matt O'Malley did not seek re-election. Councillors Ricardo Arroyo, Frank Baker, Kenzie Bok, Liz Breadon, Lydia Edwards, Michael F. Flaherty, Ed Flynn, and Julia Mejia ran for re-election; all eight were successful. Five new members were elected to the council; two at-large and three from districts (4, 6, and 7).

Background

Marty Walsh was elected to the mayoralty of Boston, Massachusetts, in the 2013 and 2017 elections.[1] [2] On January 7, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden announced that he would select Walsh to serve as the United States Secretary of Labor.[3] Walsh resigned as mayor on March 22, after being confirmed as Secretary of Labor, and was replaced as acting-mayor by Kim Janey, who also served as president of the Boston City Council.[4] [5]

The city council voted to move the primary election date from September 21 to September 14, in order to allow mail-in voting ballots for the general election an additional week of distribution time, which was approved by Mayor Janey.[6] [7] [8]

Incumbent status

The council members at the time of both the preliminary election and general election are listed below. The table further indicates if each incumbent ran for re-election, and if so, whether they were re-elected or not.

See also: 2021 Boston mayoral election.

District Name Entered office Ran Result
No
bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen
bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen
No
1 bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen
2 bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen
3 bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen
4 No Defeated in mayoral election
5 bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen
6 No
7 No Defeated in mayoral election
8 bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen
9 bgcolor=lightgreenYes bgcolor=lightgreen

City council president and acting Mayor of Boston

Acting city council president

Campaign

At-large

Two of the four incumbents did not seek re-election. Michelle Wu, who joined the city council in 2014, announced on September 15, 2020, that she would run in the mayoral election.[9] Annissa Essaibi George, who joined the city council in 2016, announced on January 27, 2021, that she would run in the mayoral election.[10] Incumbent councillors Michael F. Flaherty, who joined the city council in 2014, and Julia Mejia, who won election to the city council by one vote in the 2019 election, ran for reelection.[11]

Other candidates in the election included: Althea Garrison, the first openly transgender person to serve in a state legislature and former member of the city council; Ruthzee Louijeune, a lawyer who worked as senior counsel for Senator Elizabeth Warren's presidential and senatorial campaigns; Erin Murphy, a former teacher in the Boston Public Schools; Alex Gray, a policy analyst; and Nick Vance, a political action co-chair of the NAACP in Boston.[12] [13] [14]

The top eight vote-getters in the primary election advanced to the general election.

2021 Boston City Council at-large election
CandidatePrimary election[15] General election[16]
Votes%Votes%
Michael F. Flaherty (incumbent)41,50915.062,60317.4
Julia Mejia (incumbent)38,91914.162,05817.3
Ruthzee Louijeune33,54612.154,89815.3
Erin Murphy22,9388.343,07612.0
David Halbert17,0126.142,76511.9
Carla Monteiro18,9116.839,87611.1
Bridget Nee-Walsh15,1915.527,5917.7
Althea Garrison16,9066.125,0787.0
Kelly Bates12,7874.6 
Alexander Gray11,3204.1 
Jon Spillane11,2174.1 
Said Abdikarim7,7672.8 
Domingos DaRosa7,011 2.5 
Donnie Palmer Jr.6,8612.5 
Roy Owens Sr.5,2651.9 
James Colimon4,6931.7 
Nick Vance3,9681.4 
Write-ins8730.31,3500.4
Total276,694100359,294100

1st district

Councillor Lydia Edwards, who was first elected to the city council in 2017, announced that she would run for reelection and launched her campaign on February 26, 2021, at a virtual event.[17] Edwards was unopposed.

CandidatesGeneral Election[18]
Votes%
Lydia Edwards10,55897.3
Write-in2962.7
Total10,854100

2nd district

Councillor Ed Flynn filed to run for reelection.[19] He ran unopposed.

CandidatesGeneral Election[20]
Votes%
Ed Flynn15,02998.3
Write-in2571.7
Total15,286100

3rd district

Councillor Frank Baker, who was first elected in 2011, announced that he would run for reelection after initially wanting to leave politics until the COVID-19 pandemic changed his plans.[21] Stephen McBride also ran in the election.[22]

CandidatesGeneral Election[23]
Votes%
Frank Baker8,51862.9
Stephen McBride4,97236.7
Write-in620.5
Total13,552100

4th district

Councillor Andrea Campbell, who joined the city council in 2016, announced on September 24, 2020, that she would run for mayor.[24] Evandro Carvalho, who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, announced on October 19 that he would run in the election.[25] Leonard M. Lee Sr., a community organizer and member of the Boston Parks Commission, announced on February 3, 2021, that he would run in the election, stating that he was inspired to run after a nineteen-year-old was killed by the police outside his home.[26] Other candidates included: William Dickerson III, a former city council aide; Nikkia Jean-Charles, who was inspired by Ayanna Pressley's campaign for a seat in the United States House of Representatives; and Joel Richards, a Boston Public School teacher and Boston Teachers Union activist.[27] [28] The top two vote-getters in the primary election advanced to the general election.

2021 Boston City Council District 4 election
CandidatePrimary election[29] General election[30]
Votes%Votes%
Brian Worrell2,50225.47,46461.6
Evandro Carvalho1,83818.74,61138.1
Joel Richards1,32013.4 
Josette Williams1,17311.9 
Leonard Lee Sr.9749.9 
William Dickerson III9489.6 
Deeqo Jibril4584.7 
Troy Smith4274.3 
Jacob Urena1851.9 
Write-ins240.2410.3
Total9,84910012,116100

5th district

Councillor Ricardo Arroyo ran for reelection; John White also ran in the election.[31]

CandidatesGeneral Election
Votes%
Ricardo Arroyo13,17575.7
John White4,12723.7
Write-in950.5
Total17,397100

6th district

Kendra Hicks, an activist, announced in September 2020 that she would run against councilor Matt O'Malley.[32] O'Malley, who joined the council in 2010, announced on December 2, 2020, that he would not seek reelection, so he could focus on his family.[33] Two other candidates also ran for the seat; the top two vote-getters in the preliminary election advanced to the general election.

2021 Boston City Council District 6 election
CandidatePrimary election[34] General election[35]
Votes%Votes%
Kendra Hicks9,26549.913,98755.8
Mary Tamer8,02443.211,01743.9
Winnie Eke1,1966.4 
Write-ins760.4810.3
Total18,561100%25,085100

7th district

Councillor Kim Janey, who was serving as acting-mayor and joined the council in 2018, announced on April 6, 2021, that she would run in the mayoral election.[36] Candidates for the seat included Tania Fernandes Anderson, director of a non-profit organization, and Roy Owens Sr., a perennial candidate in council elections.[37] The top two vote-getters in the preliminary election advanced to the general election.

2021 Boston City Council District 7 election
CandidatePrimary election[38] General election[39]
Votes%Votes%
Tania Fernandes Anderson2,03826.727,06273.0
Roy Owens Sr.1,30017.052,56226.5
Angelina Comacho1,26316.56 
Brandy Brooks7479.80 
Lorraine Wheeler7039.22 
Santiago Rivera5707.47 
Marisa Luse552 7.24 
Joao DePina4105.38 
Write-ins431.46450.5
Total7,626100%9,669100

8th district

Councillor Kenzie Bok, who joined the council in 2020, filed to run for re-election. She was unopposed.

CandidatesGeneral Election[40]
Votes%
Kenzie Bok7,03897.9
Write-in1512.1
Total7,189100

9th district

Councillor Liz Breadon, who joined the council in 2020, ran for reelection against Michael Bianchi and entrepreneur Eric Porter. The top two vote-getters in the preliminary election advanced to the general election.

2021 Boston City Council District 9 election
CandidatePrimary election[41] General election[42]
Votes%Votes%
Liz Breadon5,07571.77,30471.4
Michael Bianchi97713.82,84427.8
Eric Porter77410.9 
Write-ins2534.5880.9
Total7,079100%10,236100

Campaign finance

CandidateCampaign committee
data-sort-type=currency District
Frank Baker[43] $62,576.293rd
Kelly Bates[44] $61,737.76At-large
Kenzie Bok[45] $44,227.408th
Lydia Edwards[46] $106,067.811st
Michael F. Flaherty[47] $252,075.21At-large
Alexander Gray[48] $40,185.62At-large
David Halbert[49] $63,828.57At-large
Kendra Hicks[50] $76,456.516th
Julia Mejia[51] $101,899.46At-large
Erin Murphy[52] $48,238.95At-large
Ruthzee Louijeune[53] $129,825.33At-large
Mary Tamer[54] $74,801.946th

Endorsements

9th district

Polling

At-large

General election

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		Michael
Flaherty		Althea
Garrison		David
Halbert		Ruthzee
Louijeune		Julia
Mejia		Carla
Monteiro		Erin
Murphy		Bridget
Undecided
Emerson CollegeOctober 26–27, 2021500 (LV)± 4.3%45%20%37%47%48%34%39%24%–
Suffolk UniversityOctober 15–17, 2021500 (LV)± 4.4%30%9%16%21%29%15%18%10%35%
MassINC Polling GroupOctober 6–12, 2021501 (LV)± 4.9%20%8%12%16%21%13%16%11%47%

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: November 6, 2013 . Walsh Elected The Next Mayor Of Boston . . live . https://archive.today/20210629200752/https://www.wbur.org/news/2013/11/06/walsh-elected-mayor-boston . June 29, 2021.
  2. News: November 7, 2017 . Walsh Elected The Next Mayor Of Boston . . live . https://archive.today/20210629201100/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/11/07/walsh-jackson-contest-comes-close/azSmf4izTRLOcJFmgw7k7I/story.html . June 29, 2021.
  3. News: January 7, 2021 . Biden chooses Boston Mayor Walsh as Labor secretary . . live . https://archive.today/20210108112818/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/07/biden-chooses-boston-mayor-walsh-as-labor-secretary-455899 . January 8, 2021.
  4. News: March 23, 2021 . Marty Walsh Confirmed As Labor Secretary, Resigns As Mayor Of Boston . . live . https://archive.today/20210629194653/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/marty-walsh-confirmed-as-labor-secretary-resigns-as-mayor-of-boston/ar-BB1ePKuw . June 29, 2021.
  5. News: March 22, 2021 . Kim Janey becomes Boston's acting mayor, makes history as first Black person, woman to hold the office . . live . https://archive.today/20210630233742/https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2021/03/22/kim-janey-become-bostons-acting-mayor/ . June 30, 2021.
  6. News: April 19, 2021 . Boston City Council to mull moving Sept. 21 preliminary election up a week . . live . https://archive.today/20210629201733/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/19/metro/boston-city-council-mull-moving-sept-21-preliminary-election-up-week/ . June 29, 2021.
  7. News: April 28, 2021 . Boston Pushing Preliminary Election Up One Week To Sept. 14 . . live . https://archive.today/20210629201559/https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2021/04/28/boston-pushing-preliminary-election-up-one-week-to-sept-14 . June 29, 2021.
  8. News: May 11, 2021 . Janey signs ordinance moving preliminary election to Sept. 14 . . live . https://archive.today/20210629201918/https://whdh.com/news/janey-signs-ordinance-moving-preliminary-election-to-sept-14/ . June 29, 2021.
  9. News: September 15, 2020 . Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu Announces Run For Mayor . . live . https://archive.today/20210629202638/https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/09/15/michelle-wu-boston-mayor-announcement . June 29, 2021.
  10. News: January 27, 2021 . Councilor Essaibi-George jumps into the mayoral fray . . live . https://archive.today/20210629202825/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/28/metro/councilor-essaibi-george-jumps-into-mayoral-fray/ . June 29, 2021.
  11. News: June 20, 2021 . The Boston mayoral race's unintended consequence: a City Council shakeup . . live . https://archive.today/20210629204734/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/20/metro/boston-mayoral-races-unintended-consequence-city-council-shakeup/ . June 29, 2021.
  12. News: June 2, 2021 . Transgender Conservative Althea Garrison Will Run For Boston City Council At-Large Again This Year . New Boston Post . live . https://archive.today/20210629205311/https://newbostonpost.com/2021/06/02/transgender-conservative-althea-garrison-will-run-for-boston-city-council-at-large-again-this-year/ . June 29, 2021.
  13. News: March 16, 2021 . Mattapan native Ruthzee Louijeune joins at-large council race . Dorchester Reporter . live . https://archive.today/20210629210008/https://www.dotnews.com/2021/mattapan-attorney-ruthzee-louijeune-joins-large-council-race . June 29, 2021.
  14. News: January 27, 2021 . Garrison says she'll 'definitely be on the ballot' this year; The question is: which one? . Dorchester Reporter . live . https://archive.today/20210629210420/https://www.dotnews.com/2021/garrison-says-shell-definitely-be-ballot-year-question-which-one . June 29, 2021.
  15. Web site: 2021-09-14 City Councilor At-Large . Boston.gov . 14 September 2021.
  16. Web site: 2021-11-02 City Councilor At-Large . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  17. News: February 18, 2021 . Councilor Edwards announces re-election campaign . East Boston Times-Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210629210919/https://eastietimes.com/2021/02/18/councilor-edwards-announces-re-election-campaign/ . June 29, 2021.
  18. Web site: City Councillor District 1. boston.gov. November 2, 2021.
  19. News: April 22, 2021 . Five of Six Mayoral Candidates Take Nomination Papers on Day 1: Early Poll Shows Half of Voters Undecided, Wu With Highest Favorability . Beacon Hill Times . live . https://archive.today/20210629211230/http://beaconhilltimes.com/2021/04/22/five-of-six-mayoral-candidates-take-nomination-papers-on-day-1-early-poll-shows-half-of-voters-undecided-wu-with-highest-favorability/ . June 29, 2021.
  20. Web site: City Councillor District 2. boston.gov. November 2, 2021.
  21. News: May 6, 2021 . With 'everything up in the air,' says Councillor Baker, he has to run again . Dorchester Reporter . live . https://archive.today/20210629211904/https://www.dotnews.com/2021/everything-air-says-councillor-baker-he-has-run-again . June 29, 2021.
  22. News: February 9, 2021 . Jones Hill man, 31, to seek District 3 council seat . Dorchester Reporter . live . https://archive.today/20210629211551/https://www.dotnews.com/2021/jones-hill-man-31-seek-district-3-council-seat . June 29, 2021.
  23. Web site: 2021 Boston City Council election results. Boston.Com. Waller. John. November 2, 2021. November 5, 2021.
  24. News: September 24, 2020 . Andrea Campbell announces campaign to be Boston mayor . . live . https://archive.today/20210630234016/https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2020/09/24/andrea-campbell-boston-mayor-campaign/ . June 30, 2021.
  25. News: November 19, 2020 . City council race: Jacob Urena running for District 4 . The Boston Scope . live . https://archive.today/20210629212058/https://thescopeboston.org/5355/2021-boston-elections/changemaker-local-minister-blm-activist-and-leader-in-faneuil-hall-name-change-effort-runs-for-city-council/ . June 29, 2021.
  26. News: February 3, 2021 . Longtime activist Leonard Lee plans run for District 4 council . Dorchester Reporter . live . https://archive.today/20210629213549/https://www.dotnews.com/2021/longtime-activist-leonard-lee-plans-run-district-4-council . June 29, 2021.
  27. News: February 24, 2021 . Four new candidates join hopeful field in District 4 . Dorchester Reporter . live . https://archive.today/20210629212315/https://www.dotnews.com/2021/four-new-candidates-join-hopeful-field-district-4 . June 29, 2021.
  28. News: Pereira . Rebeca . Richards touts new labor, progressive endorsements in District 4 race . Dorchester Reporter . July 26, 2021.
  29. Web site: 2021-11-02 City Councilor District 4 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  30. Web site: 2021-11-02 City Councilor District 4 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  31. News: February 24, 2021 . Candidates lining up for district races . . live . https://archive.today/20210629213904/https://www.baystatebanner.com/2021/02/24/candidates-lining-up-for-district-races/ . June 29, 2021.
  32. News: September 9, 2020 . Kendra Hicks to Challenge O'Malley in Boston City Council Race . Jamaica Plain News . live . https://archive.today/20210629214320/https://www.jamaicaplainnews.com/2020/09/09/kendra-hicks-to-challenge-omalley-in-boston-city-council-race/235991 . June 29, 2021.
  33. News: December 3, 2020 . Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley won't seek re-election next year . . live . https://archive.today/20210629203848/https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2020/12/03/boston-city-councilor-matt-omalley-wont-seek-reelection/ . June 29, 2021.
  34. Web site: 2021-09-14 City Councilor District 6 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  35. Web site: 2021-11-02 City Councilor District 6 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  36. News: April 6, 2021 . Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey enters race to seek a full term . . live . https://archive.today/20210629204315/https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2021/04/06/kim-janey-will-seek-a-full-term/ . June 29, 2021.
  37. News: April 28, 2021 . Candidates line up in race for District 7 . . live . https://archive.today/20210629214928/https://www.baystatebanner.com/2021/04/28/candidates-line-up-in-race-for-district-7/ . June 29, 2021.
  38. Web site: 2021-09-14 City Councilor District 7 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  39. Web site: 2021-11-02 City Councilor District 7 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  40. Web site: City Councillor District 8. boston.gov. November 2, 2021.
  41. Web site: 2021-09-14 City Councilor District 9 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  42. Web site: 2021-11-02 City Councilor District 9 . Boston.gov . 2 November 2021.
  43. News: Frank Baker campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210630203452/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=783887 . June 30, 2021.
  44. News: Kelly Bates campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210701015657/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=782928 . July 1, 2021.
  45. News: Kenzie Bok campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210701222456/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784207 . July 1, 2021.
  46. News: Lydia Edwards campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703190742/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784576 . July 3, 2021.
  47. News: Michael F. Flaherty campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703190915/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=783949 . July 3, 2021.
  48. News: Alexander Gray campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210630152921/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784433 . June 30, 2021.
  49. News: David Halbert campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703191143/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784334 . July 3, 2021.
  50. News: Kendra Hicks campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703191547/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784381 . July 3, 2021.
  51. News: Julia Mejia campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703191706/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784562 . July 3, 2021.
  52. News: Erin Murphy campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703191919/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=783406 . July 3, 2021.
  53. News: Ruthzee Louijeune campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703191706/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784562 . July 3, 2021.
  54. News: Mary Tamer campaign finance . Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance . live . https://archive.today/20210703192139/https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id=784430 . July 3, 2021.

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