If you still haven’t cast your vote and need a refresher course on the 12 mayoral candidates and their general platforms — or if you’re just curious — here is a quick rundown.
Felix Arroyo: A city councilor from Jamaica Plain, 34-year-old Arroyo is the youngest of the 12 remaining candidates. He is advocating for economic investment in Boston’s neighborhoods. A supporter of the Boston Public School system, Arroyo believes closing the educational achievement gap will give children and families a “pathway” out of poverty. Learn more here.
John Barros: At 39, this community leader from Dorchester wants safer communities and better schools for Boston. As mayor, Barros wants to create a city-wide learning system from birth to career, using common goals, shared accountability, and open-sourced data. Read more here.
Charles Clemons: The 51-year-old, TOUCH 106.1 FM general manager from Dorchester is focused on public safety and Boston’s elderly residents. A former Boston police officer, Clemons is advocating for a safer Boston. He is a believer in community policing; the police should work together with the public. Learn more here.
Dan Conley: The 54-year-old Suffolk County district attorney from West Roxbury wants to lift the cap on charter schools, give schools more autonomy, and create safer neighborhoods. Conley wants to close the education gap between poor, African-American and Hispanic students. He believes Boston should be economically and socially diverse; the city should create opportunities for socio-economic mobility. Learn more here:
John Connolly: A 39-year-old, West Roxbury city councilor. A former school teacher, Connolly is focused on providing Boston with better public schools. As chair of the city council’s committee on education and a BPS parent, Connolly is making children his priority. He voted against a teacher’s contract that would have given Boston children one of the nation’s shortest school days. Learn more here.
Rob Consalvo: The 43-year-old Hyde Park city councilor made waves with this YouTube video. Consalvo wants to hold big banks accountable for home foreclosures and create safer neighborhoods. Consalvo wants to link education programs with an innovative economy. Pushing a clean environment agenda, Consalvo wants Boston to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Learn more here.
Charlotte Golar Richie: As the only woman in the race, Golar Richie, 54, would make history if elected as the first black woman mayor in Boston’s history. She is the VP for public policy, advocacy, and government relations for YouthBuild USA. She has highlighted her work and management of house development projects in Boston. Golar Richie is an advocate for youth involvement in government. Learn more here.
Mike Ross: At 41, Ross, a Mission Hill city councilor, is pushing economic innovation and an improved education system. He wants universal pre-shool for all children in Boston and an improved vocational education system by providing students who won’t be attending college with job training. Lear more here.
Bill Walczak: The 58-year-old vice president of external relations at Shawmut Design and Construction is strongly against a Boston casino. As mayor, Walczak wants to tackle poverty by connecting health care and the education systems. He believes schools should be more autonomous. Learn more here.
Marty Walsh: The 46-year-old state representative from Dorchester, and successor of James Brett– Menino’s competitor in the 1993 general election– is an advocate for working people, with strong union support. Walsh wants to expand in-district charter schools, and, ultimately, make Boston Public Schools “so good there is no need for an alternative.” Learn more here.
David James Wyatt: The former Roxbury school teacher has not been particularly active on the campaign trail. Wyatt’s political agenda revolves around education; he wants to end the public school busing system. Learn more here.
Charles Yancey: A city councilor from Dorchester, Yancey, 64, has touted his 30 years in government. Learn more here.
For BostInno’s complete coverage of the Boston mayoral race, head here.
Image from NECN
