The 2009 Boston elections
Mayoral candidates
Michael Flaherty (D)
The city councilor was born in South Boston and first elected in 1999. He was Boston City Council president from 2002-2007. He is also a partner with the law firm of Adler Pollock & Sheehan, and former assistant Suffolk district attorney.
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Thomas Menino (D)
Menino has served four terms as Boston's mayor, and previously was elected five times as a city councilor from Hyde Park.
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Campaign contributions
VIDEOS
Election info
Boston voters cast ballots for mayor, city councilor at large, and district city councilor on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls were open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
MENINO'S BOSTON
The city the mayor (painstakingly) built
Menino obsesses mightily, and wields power exhaustively, over the look, feel, and shape of his city.
Menino's well-tuned machine
Menino’s City Hall is a place where not even the most trivial slights go unnoticed.
Two blocks, one city
Globe reporters spent a week talking to residents on two different blocks on the opposite sides of Roslindale to find out about life during the Menino years.
- Photos Residents of South Street
- Photos Residents of Lorraine Street
Mayoral debate coverage
Oct. 27
Final face-off
in mayor's race
Mayor Menino and Councilor at
Large Flaherty presented opposing views of Boston in their final, heated debate. (Boston Globe)
Oct. 19
Flaherty jabs,
Menino unfazed
City Councilor Flaherty and Mayor Menino argued over education, crime, development, and the handling of public records. (Boston Globe)
- Analysis: Muted debate fritters away televised opportunity
- Minority officers accuse Menino campaign of intimidation
- Chat transcript | Video interviews Menino | Flaherty
- Opinion Todd Domke | Joan Vennochi | Scot Lehigh
Oct. 2
Menino, Flaherty
trade barbs
Michael Flaherty aggressively attacked Mayor Menino’s record on crime and education, as well as his leadership style, while the mayor defended his record on every front.
- Analysis: Both score points | Editorial: Flaherty finds voice
- Walker: Mayor meets his mismatch | Lehigh: Yoon is no ‘Kid’
Sept. 10
In debate, foes blast Menino’s tight grip
Mayor Thomas Menino’s famously firm grip on Boston came under withering and sustained assault during the final mayoral debate before the Sept. 22 primary last night.
Sept. 3
Menino's foes fire away in first debate
The three challengers to Mayor Thomas Menino took turns attacking his record in the first debate. (Boston Globe) Discuss
Results of the Boston mayor's race
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Thomas Menino 57% |
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Michael Flaherty 42% |
254 of 254 precincts reporting
Mayor wants to take more risks
(David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)
A relaxed and buoyant Mayor Menino vowed yesterday to shed the caution and incrementalism that has marked his first 16 years in office and use his fifth term to boldly tackle problems. (Boston Globe)
- Flaherty is looking to the future after losing bid for mayor
- With turnout high, Mayor Menino sails to unprecedented victory
- Menino not resting on laurels | End came quickly for Flaherty fans
News Analysis
In a league of legends, Menino machine rolls on
In a toxic political environment that imperiled incumbents all over the country, Mayor Menino was reelected by a comfortable margin in the toughest fight of his career. (Boston Globe)
- Scenes from the ballot box | Election photos | Twitter updates
- Editorial | Abraham: Known as mayor | Lehigh: Make ‘future’ now
BOSTON CITY COUNCIL
Voters pick newcomers and stalwarts
Boston voters yesterday elected two new city councilors at large and returned two incumbents to power. (Boston Globe)
Elections around the state
Minorities, women win big on ballot
William Lantigua's mayoral win in Lawrence headlined a groundbreaking election that propelled a host of female and minority candidates to political office across the state. (Boston Globe)
- Two victors credit days with Kerry | Many Iraq vets sought office
- Mayoral history in Mass. | Photos Lawrence votes | Video
- Watertown council president out; Melrose aldermen keep seats
- Koch wins in Quincy | Sarno re-elected in Springfield
- Lynn mayor loses close vote | New mayor in Worcester
- BALLOT INITIATIVES Revere voters keep school contraception policy
Around the country
Backers, foes of same-sex marriage reflect
Tearful supporters of same-sex marriage vowed to continue their fight in Maine yesterday, while newly energized opponents pledged to preserve traditional marriage here and nationwide. (Boston Globe)
- Voters send message, moderate Democrats fear shift to GOP
- Maine voters overturn state’s new same-sex marriage law
- GOP victories in Virginia, N.J. | Dem wins NY House seat
PRELIMINARY ELECTION
Menino and Flaherty proceed to general election
Mayor Menino took 50.5 percent of the votes while Councilor at Large Michael Flaherty grabbed second place with 24 percent in Boston’s preliminary mayoral race, setting up a general election that pits two former allies who have become sharp political adversaries. (Boston Globe, 9/23/09)
- Results of the mayoral and City Council races
- map Breaking down the votes for Flaherty, Menino
- PDF Results by ward and precinct
- Menino gearing up | Flaherty ready to ‘change Boston’
- Voter turnout high in city | Photos Boston at the polls
- PHOTOS The candidates on election night
News Analysis
Incumbent has troops, treasury for finish
Mayor Thomas M. Menino unleashed his not-so-secret weapon - an army of workers in all corners of the city that pulled thousands of his supporters to the polls. (Boston Globe, 9/23/09)