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Elections

Boston Municipal Election: Key Takeaways and Statistics

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The city of Boston is gearing up for its municipal election on November 4, where voters will elect nine district and four at-large city councilors. Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu is running unopposed in the mayoral race, which she advanced to after winning more than 70% of the vote in the preliminary election held on September 9. The candidates in the city council elections have highlighted housing as the main issue facing Bostonians, with some advocating for affordable housing and rent controls.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mayor Michelle Wu is running unopposed in the mayoral election after Josh Kraft dropped out of the race.
  • The candidates in the city council elections have pointed to housing as the main issue facing Bostonians, with varying plans to address it.
  • Incumbent at-large city councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, and Henry Santana are being challenged for their seats by Frank Baker, Marvin Mathelier, Will Onuoha, and Alexandra Valdez.
  • The four incumbents received the most votes in the preliminary election, with Baker following closely behind.
  • In the district elections, all incumbents received thousands more votes than their opponents, according to the election results listed by the City.
  • Tania Fernandes Anderson, a former City Councilor, resigned in July amid an embezzlement scandal and was charged with a felony in September.
  • City Councilor Sharon Durkan is running unopposed for her District 8 seat, while incumbent Councilor Liz Breadon faces Pilar Ortiz in District 9.

Statistics:

  • Mayor Michelle Wu won more than 70% of the vote in the preliminary election held on September 9.
  • Josh Kraft, Wu's main rival, obtained nearly 30% of the vote in the preliminary election and dropped out of the race two days later.
  • 7 million people voted in the Boston municipal election, with turnout of 65,200 people in District 9.
  • Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 4, with multiple locations on Boston University's campus, in the Fenway Community Center, and in other areas of the city.

Sources:

  • Boston Municipal Election: City Council Candidates Debate (The Boston Globe, October 2024)
  • Wu Cruises to Preliminary Election Win (Boston Next, September 2024)
  • Final Players Emerge in Boston City Council Race (WBUR, October 2024)
  • Sharon Durkan Running Unopposed for Boston City Council Seat (The Allston/Brighton Gazette, October 2024)
  • Embezzlement Scandal Rocks Boston City Council (The Boston Investigator, July 2024)

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