2009 Boston mayoral election

The 2009 Boston mayoral election occurred on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, between incumbent Mayor of Boston Thomas Menino, and Michael F. Flaherty, member of the Boston City Council and former Council president. Menino was re-elected to a fifth term, the first mayor to do so in Boston history. A nonpartisan municipal preliminary election was held on September 22, 2009, where Flaherty and Menino advanced to the general election.

31% of registered voters turned out to vote in the election.^[1][2]

Campaign

After the preliminary election, Flaherty and fellow-Councillor Sam Yoon, who had finished third, declared they had formed a ticket. If Flaherty were victorious, he vowed to appoint Yoon deputy mayor, a position that had not existed in Boston since the administration of Kevin White, who left office in 1984.^[3] Details of the position, including salary, were never finalized.

Candidates

Candidates who advanced to general election

Candidates eliminated in the primary

Primary election

Endorsements

Michael F. Flaherty

Labor unions

• International Association of Fire Fighters^[9]

Newspapers and publications

• The Boston Globe (Co-endorsement with Menino)^[10]

Thomas Menino

Labor unions

• 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East^[11]
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103^[11]
• Service Employees International Union Local 615^[11]
• UNITE HERE Local 26^[11]

Organizations

• MassEquality^[12]

Newspapers and publications

• The Boston Globe (Co-endorsement with Flaherty)^[10]

Sam Yoon

State officials

• Mel King, former state representative for the 9th Suffolk District; Candidate for Mayor in 1983^[13]
• Bill Owens, former state senator^[14]

Individuals

• Yul Kwon, reality TV show contestant^[15]

Results

General election

Campaign

Following the preliminary election, Flaherty immediately began an aggressive campaign, attacking Menino as ineffectual.^[16] Sam Yoon and Michael Flaherty announced that they would run as a ticket in the general election, with Flaherty pledging to appoint Yoon deputy mayor if he won.^[17] Kevin McRea also announced that he would endorse Flaherty.^[18]

Endorsements

Names in bold endorsed after the preliminary election.

Michael F. Flaherty

State officials

• Mel King, former state representative for the 9th Suffolk District; Candidate for Mayor in 1983^[19]

Local officials

• Raymond Flynn, former Mayor of Boston^[19]
• Sam Yoon, Boston City Councillor; former candidate for Mayor^[17]

Labor unions

• International Association of Fire Fighters^[9]

Newspapers and publications

• Boston Phoenix^[20]
• The Daily Free Press^[21]

Thomas Menino

Labor unions

• 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East^[11]
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103^[11]
• Service Employees International Union Local 615^[11]
• UNITE HERE Local 26^[11]

Organizations

• MassEquality^[12]

Newspapers and publications

• The Boston Globe^[21]

Results

See also

• List of mayors of Boston, Massachusetts
• 2009 Boston city council election

References

1. "Results" (PDF). www.cityofboston.gov. November 3, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
2. "Results" (PDF). www.cityofboston.gov. November 3, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
3. Levenson, Michael (September 29, 2009). "Yoon is joining Flaherty as deputy". The Boston Globe. p. B.1. Retrieved March 2, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.
4. "Unofficial election results". Boston.gov. October 3, 2016.
5. Drake, John C. (January 26, 2009). "Flaherty starts his mayoral quest". The Boston Globe. p. A.1. Retrieved March 2, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.
6. Thys, Fred (April 22, 2009). "Supporters To Gather Downtown For Menino Campaign Kick-Off". www.wbur.org. WBUR-FM. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
7. "Kevin McCrea announces his candidacy for mayor". Boston Herald. January 23, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
8. 'Yoon announces candidacy for mayor', The Boston Globe February 8, 2009
9. Keohane, Joe (July 24, 2021). "Man Versus Machine". Boston Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
10. Boston Globe Editorial Board (September 20, 2009). "Our choice for mayoral final: Menino vs. Flaherty". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 14, 2021 – via Boston.com.
11. Wedge, Dave (April 15, 2009). "Five labor unions kick-start effort to re-elect Thomas Menino". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
12. Gaffin, Adam (June 2, 2009). "Gay-rights group endorses Menino". Universal Hub. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
13. Gaffin, Adam (August 10, 2009). "Mel King endorses Sam Yoon". Universal Hub. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
14. Weir, Richard (August 11, 2009). "Sam Yoon gains Mel King's favor". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
15. Derjue, Amy (September 25, 2008). "Gather Ye Endorsements While Ye May". Boston Magazine. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
16. Levenson, Michael; Slack, Donovan (September 24, 2009). "With odds steep, Flaherty comes out swinging". Boston.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
17. "Former Rivals Flaherty, Yoon Team Up To Take On Menino". WBUR. September 29, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
18. Weir, Richard (October 29, 2009). "Kevin McCrea to announce endorsement of Michael Flaherty". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
19. Weir, Richard (October 15, 2009). "Raymond Flynn, Mel King pledge their support for Floon". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
20. Editorial (November 4, 2009). "For Mayor: Vote Flaherty + Yoon". Boston Phoenix. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
21. Conti, Matt (November 1, 2009). "Mayoral Political Article Roundup". North End Waterfront. Retrieved November 23, 2021.

Further reading

Candidates' websites

• Flaherty for Mayor
• McCrea for Mayor
• Menino for Mayor
• Yoon for Mayor

External links

• City's website
• Boston Mayor Race - Nov 03, 2009 at ourcampaigns.com