Boston

Walsh Wins 2nd Term as Boston Mayor

What to Know

  • Voters in Boston re-elected Mayor Marty Walsh to a second, four-year term on Tuesday.
  • Walsh was opposed by City Councilor Tito Jackson, who was vying to become Boston's first black mayor.
  • Both candidates focused on affordable housing, education and reducing crime during the campaign.

Voters in Boston have re-elected Marty Walsh to a second term as mayor.

Walsh defeated City Councilor Tito Jackson on Tuesday after a low-key campaign. Election officials reported relatively light voter turnout in most of the city's precincts in the nonpartisan contest.

"I am so grateful to everyone who played a part in today's election," Walsh said in his victory speech. "Your passion for this city inspires me, and I say thank you."

He also spoke to Jackson's supporters, telling them, "Let's come together and build a city that's better for all of us."

Walsh's first four years in office have brought more economic development to portions of Boston including the seaport district. City and state officials lured General Electric to move its corporate headquarters from Fairfield, Connecticut, to Boston last year.

Walsh was criticized in some quarters for originally supporting Boston's aborted bid to land the 2024 Olympics.

Jackson, who was vying to be Boston's first black mayor, called Walsh shortly after 9 p.m. to concede. He told supporters his campaign was about addressing income inequality and the lack of affordable housing in the city.

"Throughout this campaign, I have said many times that the cavalry is not coming. But it looks like the cavalry showed up," Jackson told a room full of cheering supporters after Walsh's victory. "I've said that nobody is coming to save us but us — the people in this room, the people who stepped forward today and voted and believed that we need a change in the city of Boston."

Boston has had only four mayors in the last 50 years, and no incumbent has lost a re-election bid since the legendary James Michael Curley in 1949.

Walsh voted at the Lower Hills Library in Dorchester, while Jackson voted at the nearby Holgate Apartments early Tuesday morning.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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