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Boston Democratic City Councilors Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George will face off in November for Boston’s mayoral seat. It will be the first time in the city’s history that a person of color will be elected into office.
The city’s current acting mayor, Kim Janey, became the first person of color and woman to hold the office when she succeeded former Mayor Marty Walsh after becoming President Biden’s Labor Secretary. However, she was not elected.
Wu is an Asian American and Essaibi George, who identifies as Arab-American, is a first-generation American with a Tunisian father and a Polish mother.
“It’s been an honor to be part of this historic field,” Wu told reporters on Wednesday. “For the last year, we have seen an incredible conversation all across every neighborhood, across every community, so I am humbled to be part of this moment in Boston and so excited to make sure we keep up the work, keep up the energy of getting out to every single voter, knocking on doors and having the conversations about what’s possible in this city.”
Wu led the race with more than 33% of the vote. She became president of the city council in 2016, making her the first woman of color to lead in this position.
“The race for the second place will not only be determined by undecided voters and the respective get-out-the-vote efforts by the candidates, but also by soft Wu voters who may opt for their second choice instead in order to control the selection of both finalists,” David Paleologos, Suffolk University Political Research Center Director, said.
Essaibi George called her campaign rivals “sisters in service” on Tuesday night as the vote was still being tallied.
“Bostonians deserve results, real change, and real progress,” Essaibi George said. “I will be the teacher and the mother and the mayor to get it done.”
Wu has the support of Senator Elizabeth Warren. Wu was a student of Senator Warren at Harvard University.
“Michelle has always been a fighter —as one of my students, as a Boston city councilor, and now as a candidate for Mayor,” Warren said in January. “She is a tireless advocate for families and communities who feel unsee and unheard.”
The winner in November will serve a full, four-year term.
