List of members of the Boston City Council explained

This is a list of members of the Boston City Council, both past and present, serving the people of Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

Council member selection

See main article: Boston City Council. Since 1984, the council has consisted of 13 members; four members elected at-large and nine members elected by district. All 13 seats are contested every two years. The preliminary election and general election are held in September and November, respectively, of odd years with winners starting their terms in January of even years. For example; a preliminary election was held in September 2017 for the November 2017 general election, with elected council members starting their terms in January 2018.

Historically, the makeup of the council has changed multiple times. Since 1910:

Years Total size Seats
At-large Ward or District
1910–1925 9 9 0
1926–1951 22 0 22
1952–1983 9 9 0
1984–present 13 4 9

Council members by year

1822–1829

1830–1839

1840–1849

1850–1859

1860–1869

1870–1879

1880–1889

1890–1899

1900–1909

1910–1919

1920–1929

In November 1924, Boston voters approved replacing the 9-person City Council (all elected at-large) with a 22-person City Council (elected by wards). The first such election was held in November 1925, for terms starting in January 1926.[5]

1930–1939

1940–1949

1950–1959

In November 1949, Boston voters approved changes to municipal elections, including replacing the 22-person City Council (elected by wards) with a 9-person City Council (all elected at-large). The first such election was held in November 1951, for terms starting in January 1952.[6]

1960–1969

1970–1979

1980–1989

Starting with the November 1983 election (for terms starting in January 1984) the City Council consists of four at-large members and nine district representatives.

Year At-large Districts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1984–1985Joseph M. TierneyJames E. Byrne Brian J. McLaughlin
1986–1987Christopher A. Iannella Michael J. McCormack Albert Leo O'Neil Joseph M. TierneyRobert Travaglini James M. Kelly James E. Byrne Charles Yancey Thomas Menino Maura Hennigan Bruce Bolling David Scondras Brian J. McLaughlin
1988–1989Christopher A. Iannella Michael J. McCormack Albert Leo O'Neil Rosaria SalernoRobert Travaglini James M. Kelly James E. Byrne Charles Yancey Thomas Menino Maura Hennigan Bruce Bolling David Scondras Brian J. McLaughlin

1990–1999

Year At-large Districts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1990–1991Christopher A. Iannella Michael J. McCormack Albert Leo O'Neil Rosaria SalernoRobert Travaglini James M. Kelly James E. Byrne Charles Yancey Thomas Menino Maura Hennigan Bruce Bolling David Scondras Brian J. McLaughlin
1992–1993Christopher A. Iannella Albert Leo O'Neil Rosaria SalernoRobert Travaglini James M. Kelly James E. Byrne Charles Yancey Thomas Menino Maura Hennigan David Scondras Brian J. McLaughlin
Bruce Bolling Albert Leo O'Neil Thomas Menino
1994–1995John A. Nucci Albert Leo O'Neil Peggy Davis-MullenJames M. Kelly Charles Yancey Maura Hennigan Brian J. McLaughlin
1996–1997Richard P. Iannella Albert Leo O'Neil Peggy Davis-MullenDiane J. Modica James M. Kelly Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Daniel F. Conley Maura Hennigan Gareth R. Saunders Thomas M. Keane Jr. Brian Honan
Stephen J. Murphy
1998–1999Stephen J. Murphy Francis Roache Albert Leo O'Neil Peggy Davis-MullenJames M. Kelly Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Daniel F. Conley Maura Hennigan Gareth R. Saunders Thomas M. Keane Jr. Brian Honan
Following the death of Christopher A. Iannella in September 1992; Albert Leo "Dapper" O'Neil was selected as president, while Bruce Bolling served the remainder of Iannella's term, as Bolling had finished fifth in the general election for four at-large seats.[16] [17]
Following the resignation of Richard P. Iannella, who had been elected Register of Probate of Suffolk County, Stephen J. Murphy joined the council in February 1997 and served the balance of Iannella's term, as Murphy had finished fifth in the general election for four at-large seats.[18]

2000–2009

Year At-large Districts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2000–2001Peggy Davis-Mullen Stephen J. Murphy Francis RoachePaul Scapicchio James M. Kelly Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Daniel F. Conley Maura Hennigan Brian Honan
James M. Kelly Charles Yancey
2002–2003Michael F. Flaherty Stephen J. Murphy Francis RoachePaul Scapicchio James M. Kelly Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Chuck Turner Michael P. Ross Brian Honan
Jerry P. McDermott
2004–2005Maura Hennigan Michael F. Flaherty Stephen J. Murphy Felix D. ArroyoPaul Scapicchio James M. Kelly Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Robert Consalvo John M. Tobin Jr. Chuck Turner Michael P. Ross Jerry P. McDermott
2006–2007Michael F. Flaherty Stephen J. Murphy Felix D. ArroyoJames M. Kelly Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Robert Consalvo John M. Tobin Jr. Chuck Turner Michael P. Ross Jerry P. McDermott
Michael F. Flaherty Maureen Feeney
2008–2009Sam Yoon Michael F. Flaherty Stephen J. Murphy John R. ConnollySalvatore LaMattina Bill Linehan Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Robert Consalvo John M. Tobin Jr. Chuck Turner Michael P. Ross Mark Ciommo
Maureen Feeney Michael P. Ross
Francis Roache, Brian Honan, and James M. Kelley did not complete their terms and were replaced by Felix D. Arroyo, Jerry P. McDermott, and Bill Linehan, respectively.[19] [20] [21]

2010–2019

Year At-large Districts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2010–2011John R. Connolly Stephen J. Murphy Ayanna PressleySalvatore LaMattina Bill Linehan Maureen Feeney Charles Yancey Robert Consalvo John M. Tobin Jr. Chuck Turner Michael P. Ross Mark Ciommo
Stephen J. Murphy Michael P. Ross
2012–2013Felix G. Arroyo John R. Connolly Stephen J. Murphy Ayanna PressleySalvatore LaMattina Bill Linehan Charles Yancey Robert Consalvo Matt O'Malley Tito Jackson Michael P. Ross Mark Ciommo
2014–2015Stephen J. Murphy Ayanna PressleySalvatore LaMattina Bill Linehan Frank Baker Charles Yancey Matt O'Malley Tito Jackson Mark Ciommo
2016–2017Michael F. Flaherty Michelle Wu Ayanna PressleySalvatore LaMattina Bill Linehan Frank Baker Timothy McCarthy Matt O'Malley Tito Jackson Josh Zakim Mark Ciommo
2018–2019Michael F. Flaherty Michelle Wu Annissa Essaibi George Ayanna PressleyEdward M. Flynn Frank Baker Andrea Campbell Timothy McCarthy Matt O'Malley Josh Zakim Mark Ciommo
Althea Garrison
Both John M. Tobin Jr. and Chuck Turner did not complete their terms and were replaced by Matt O'Malley and Tito Jackson, respectively, through special elections.[22] [23]
Following Ayanna Pressley's election to the United States House of Representatives, she was replaced on the City Council by Althea Garrison in January 2019.[24]

2020–2029

Year At-large Districts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2020–2021Michael F. FlahertyMichelle WuAnnissa Essaibi GeorgeJulia MejiaLydia EdwardsEdward M. FlynnFrank BakerAndrea CampbellRicardo ArroyoMatt O'MalleyKim JaneyKenzie BokLiz Breadon
2022–2023Michael F. FlahertyRuthzee LouijeuneErin MurphyJulia MejiaLydia Edwards Edward M. FlynnFrank BakerBrian WorrellRicardo ArroyoKendra LaraTania Fernandes AndersonKenzie BokLiz Breadon
Sharon Durkan
2024–2025Henry SantanaRuthzee LouijeuneErin MurphyJulia MejiaGabriela ColettaEdward M. FlynnJohn FitzGeraldBrian WorrellEnrique PepénBenjamin WeberTania Fernandes AndersonSharon DurkanLiz Breadon
Following Mayor Marty Walsh's appointment as United States Secretary of Labor, Kim Janey became Acting Mayor and Matt O'Malley presided over the City Council.[25]
Following Lydia Edwards' election to the Massachusetts State Senate, Gabriela Coletta won the May 3, 2022, special election for the District 1 seat.[26]
Kenzie Bok resigned her seat effective April 28, 2023, in order to join the Boston Housing Authority—a special election to fill the District 8 seat was won by Sharon Durkan on July 25, 2023.[27]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Members of City Government 1909–2010 . cityofboston.gov . https://web.archive.org/web/20100721185837/https://www.cityofboston.gov/Images_Documents/Centennial%20Councillors.pdf . July 21, 2010 . dead .
  2. https://books.google.com/books?id=bndLAAAAMAAJ Documents of the City of Boston for the year 1855
  3. Book: Stephen Puleo . Boston Italians: A Story of Pride, Perseverance, and Paesani, from the Years of the Great Immigration to the Present Day . Boston . . 2007 . 978-0-8070-5036-1 . registration .
  4. A catalogue of the city councils of Boston, 1822–1908. Boston: City of Boston, 1909.
  5. News: NEW TURN OF WHEEL IN BOSTON GOVERNMENT . . 1A . November 6, 1924 . March 2, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  6. News: Plan A Wins; Boston to Get New Charter . . 1 . November 9, 1949 . March 2, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  7. News: McColgan Victor in Ward 7 Vote for City Councilor . The Boston Daily Globe . September 13, 1950.
  8. News: Runner-Up Gets Chance to Serve 1 Week on Council . . 14 . December 25, 1953 . May 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
  9. News: Keblinsky . Joseph . Hailer Quits City Council, Coffey O.K.'d . The Boston Globe . April 22, 1958.
  10. News: Mills. Edgar M.. McCormack Grips State Legal Reins. The Christian Science Monitor. September 12, 1958.
  11. News: Sullivan to Get M'Laughlin Seat In City Council . The Boston Globe . November 10, 1961.
  12. News: Keblinsky . Joseph . Did Joe White Yield to Pressure? . The Boston Globe . April 30, 1961.
  13. News: O'Neil is seated by City Council; Atkins balks at rule on succession . . Jordan . Robert . 24 . January 26, 1971 . March 7, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  14. News: Long. Tom. Frederick C. Langone, at 79; Colorful Boston Councilor. The Boston Globe. June 26, 2001. subscription .
  15. News: McMillan . Gary . Hicks coming back to council but not saying if she'll stay . The Boston Globe . December 31, 1978.
  16. Web site: Bolling to fill council vacancy . September 23, 1992 . . February 24, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  17. Web site: Bolling is welcomed back to City Council . September 24, 1992 . . February 24, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  18. News: Persevering candidate finally sworn in as city councilor . Flint . Anthony . . B.3 . February 3, 1997 . March 5, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  19. News: HISTORY MADE, ON A HOLIDAY . . Beard . David . 3 . January 12, 2003 . March 9, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  20. News: BRIGHTON REALTOR WINS SEAT ON COUNCIL . . B.2 . Dade . Corey . December 11, 2002 . March 9, 2018 . limited . pqarchiver.com.
  21. News: Linehan says he will not seek re-election . Meghan E. . Irons . . February 15, 2017 . February 19, 2018 . limited.
  22. News: Tobin leaving Boston City Council. The Boston Globe. 6 July 2010. 20 February 2014.
  23. News: Boston City Council Expels Chuck Turner . David . Boeri . . December 1, 2010.
  24. News: Valencia . Milton . The Boston Globe . Finally, Althea Garrison will be a city councilor . September 6, 2018 . December 20, 2018 .
  25. Web site: Meet Boston City Council's New Council President, Matt O'Malley . boston.gov . March 31, 2021 . April 6, 2021.
  26. Web site: Gigi Coletta is Boston's newest city councilor . . May 4, 2022 . November 17, 2022. Christopher. Gavin.
  27. Web site: Guffey. Alysa. Sharon Durkan wins special election for Boston City Council District 8 seat. . August 9, 2023 . July 25, 2023.

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