Now that the Boston mayoral election has come to a close and The Hub has chosen state Representative Marty Walsh to succeed incumbent Mayor Tom Menino, Bostonians can start to relax a bit. No more worrying about whether or not you’re registered to vote, where to vote, when to vote, and who to vote for. Walsh will assume Menino’s City Hall office in January and John Connolly will head back to the City Council until further notice. Done and done.
But as we continue to transition into a new era in the annals of Boston history, it’s important to know and remember how we even got to this position in the first place. Here are five fun facts from the 2013 Boston mayoral race and the 48th Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh.
1. The closest election since 1975
Walsh barely eked out a win over Connolly, taking home 51.55 percent of the vote to 48.06 percent. That’s a mere margin of 3-points which also usually falls within the margin of error for unofficial polls. But a triumphant Mayor of Boston hasn’t come that close to his opponent since 1975 when Kevin White beat Joseph F. Timilty, 52.40 percent to 47.59 percent. Prior to that, the 1955 and 1951 elections saw dual victories – 52.77 percent to 47.23 percent.
2. The most voters since 1983
Politicos, pundits, and press alike all noted throughout the race that voter turnout had been less than stellar and has been in the past. It may have been because Mayor Menino – the grandfatherly watchdog of Boston for the last 20 years – was on the municipal ballot for five consecutive terms. But the 140,000-plus turnout yesterday was the most Boston has seen since 1983 when Ray Flynn got the better of Mel King, receiving 65.07 percent of the 197,593 votes tallied.
3. First Dorchester mayor since 1959
Boston neighborhoods have all produced their fair share of notable residents, but a Dorchester native hasn’t occupied City Hall since John B. Hynes left office in 1960. Since then, Mayors of Boston have hailed from the likes of Hyde Park, South Boston, the North End, and Jamaica Plain. If Connolly had won, though, he would’ve secured his seat in history as the first West Roxbury native to preside as Mayor of Boston.
4. In good company
Many of Boston’s mayors have also acted as City Councilors and state Senators, as well as U.S. Congressmen, U.S. Senators, Governor, and Presidential cabinet members. But in recent memory, Walsh joins predecessors Ray Flynn, John F. Collins, and Malcolm Nichols as the only mayors to also serve the state as a state Representative. Walsh has been representing the Thirteenth Suffolk District since 1997 and has served as Chair of the Ethics committee.
5. A trend continues
Though the position of Mayor of Boston is of the nonpartisan variety, Walsh continues the ongoing trend of being affiliated with Democrats. In fact, Boston hasn’t had a Republican mayor since fellow former state Rep. and Mayor Malcolm Nichols left office in 1930. Prior to that, right- and left-wingers seemingly alternated yearly with a few of the now-defunct Whig party members sprinkled in for good measure.
Walsh will take office on January 6, during which time Mayor Menino will transition into the realm of private citizenry. Until then, stay tuned to BostInno for all Boston news and details
