Boston's Mayoral Race 2021
News & Commentary
Boston Mayor Hopefuls Stump Ahead of Preliminary Election
Candidates for Boston Mayor are making a last pitch to voters ahead of the city’s preliminary election on Tuesday.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: Waiting on Second Place
Polling makes it clear Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu will easily win a spot on Sept. 14 in the mayoral run-off election. But it’s an open question who will stand next to her on the podium.
Two Polls Confirm Wu Has Commanding Mayoral Lead
It looks like the Sept. 14 preliminary election in Boston’s mayoral race will be a battle for second place.
Whoever Wins, Boston’s Building Boom Won’t Stay
Whoever happens to win the mayoral race this fall, there’s really no place to go from here but down, at least when it comes to the sheer volume of construction.
Will Landlords Sue Over New Boston Eviction Moratorium?
Boston landlords are now banned from evicting their tenants under a public health order announced by acting Mayor Kim Janey Tuesday evening.
Court Ruling, Variant Alters Landscape on Evictions
A growing chorus of activists and lawmakers want to see action at the state and local level to stave off a potential surge of housing removals, warning that tenants are more “exposed” in the wake of a new U.S. Supreme Court decision lifting a federal eviction moratorium.
Harbor Move Raises Troubling Questions
Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s legacy of largely apolitical planning appears to be well and truly dead. Mayor Kim Janey’s withdrawal of the Downtown Municipal Harbor Plan raises potent questions about the future of other supposedly-settled city plans.
Wu Has Strong Lead in Latest Poll
The first public poll of Boston voters in almost two months shows at-large City Councilor Michelle Wu has pulled away from her competitors as the preliminary mayoral election draws near.
Janey Slams Brakes on Waterfront Towers
Citing an urgent threat of climate change to Boston’s waterfront, Acting Mayor Kim Janey said she is jettisoning the city’s rezoning of 42 acres that would allow development of a pair of new towers at the edge of Boston Harbor.
Janey Set to Weigh in on Waterfront Developments
Acting Mayor Kim Janey is scheduled to weigh in today on the controversial rezoning of Boston’s downtown waterfront that holds the key to the fate of two major development projects.
Boston’s Next Mayor Can’t Wait for Beacon Hill to Act on Housing Fixes
The powers of the mayor’s office include many revenue-neutral policy tools that allow Boston’s mayor to take substantive action on housing from day one.
Boston Election Will Be Watershed Moment for Power
This will be the year when people who hold the levers of power must respond to a changing electoral environment, let go a little and allow different flowers to bloom.
In Their Own Words
Editor’s note: Acting Mayor Kim Janey was invited to, but did not submit a column outlining her vision for development nor one detailing how she would address Boston’s housing crisis.
As Mayor, I’ll Ensure Our Housing Stock Keeps Pace with Our Growth
By Annissa Essaibi George
By updating processes, investing in our existing programs and truly prioritizing affordable housing, the next mayor can ensure our housing stock will meet the demands of both current and future residents. Read more.
Business as Usual Won’t Grow Boston’s Housing Supply. Here’s What I’ll Change
By Michelle Wu
We need urgent action from City Hall to boost the supply of housing – housing that’s affordable to the residents who have built and sustained our neighborhoods, and to families and newcomers looking to put down roots here. Read more.
Boston Residents Must Shape Neighborhoods’ Future
By Annissa Essaibi George
The future of our neighborhoods must be shaped by the voices of our residents. We need to make the development process as public and accessible as possible. It’s not just about where and when public meetings are held, but who is seated at the table, what language they’re speaking, and how – not if – they follow up with the community. Read more.
Boston Must Lead the Way in This Transformative Moment
By Michelle Wu
To remain a global leader in talent and opportunity, Boston must lead the way in transforming livability and affordability for everyone making a home here: bringing down the cost of living for our workforce and boosting civic infrastructure for quality of life. Read more.
Bostonians Need Homes to Thrive. This Is How I’ll Achieve That
By Andrea Campbell
No mayor can snap her fingers and transform Boston’s housing stock overnight. But by acting on this list of priorities on Day One, we can take steps toward creating a Boston where longtime residents aren’t pushed out, where young residents can start a family, where employers can attract talent and where we no longer see national headlines spotlighting our city’s deep racial wealth gap. Read more.
To Address Prices, Displacement, Boston Must Boost Housing Production
By John Barros
In every major city that’s tried it, from New York to San Francisco, the effects of rent control are clear: Less new housing is produced, and rents increase for anyone not protected by rent control’s narrow rules. The long term results are higher rent, more displacement and reduced economic growth. Read more.
Growth Must Lead to Shared Prosperity in Boston
By Andrea Campbell
Boston needs a mayor who has a vision and a plan to expand access and opportunity to all corners of the city. The time has come for a leader who not only understands that development can be a driver of economic and social opportunity, but also provides the partnership with the private sector necessary to serve long-time Bostonians while welcoming new residents, families and businesses. Read more.
Boston Needs a Bold and Inclusive Development Strategy
By John Barros
I will support neighborhood-based growth plans by creating and supporting shared ownership programs and community land trusts. This is a huge opportunity to improve housing affordability for low-income and people of color, while giving communities greater ownership stake over the future of their neighborhoods. Read more.