By Mary Whitfill, News Staff
Marty Walsh became the next mayor of Boston Tuesday night in the first open mayoral election in two decades. Edging out early front-runner John Connolly by less than four percent of votes, Walsh garnered the support of 72,514 Bostonians.
“My parents had big dreams for their kids, but I’m not sure it was this big,” Walsh told supporters at his election night party in the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. “I am so grateful and honored by tonight’s results. For this kid from Taft Street in Dorchester, you’ve made Boston a place where dreams come true. Together we’re going to make Boston a place where dreams come true for every child and every person in every corner of this city.”
Walsh will take office in January, stepping into Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s 20-year old shoes. Prior to his campaign for mayor, Walsh served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 15 years and was a union official before that.
In the House, Walsh is the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and co-chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party Labor Caucus. Additionally, he previously served as the Chairman of the Homeland Security and Federal Affairs Committee.
The weeks since the primary election in September revealed that Walsh and Connolly’s policies lacked substantial differences, but Walsh’s compelling life story set him apart. A childhood cancer survivor, recovering alcoholic and the son of Irish immigrants, many saw Walsh as an “everyman,” someone voters could relate to.
“You’ve made Boston a place of comebacks and second chances,” Walsh said to voters. “My life story is made possible by this city. Boston is tough and we’re smart, but we’re caring too. This city proved it in the tragedy that happened on Marathon Monday, the Red Sox proved it last week. Hard work, hope in our hearts, these things make a difference in people’s lives.”
During his campaign, Walsh said that his top priority as mayor will be to stop gun violence. Like Connolly, Walsh has a comprehensive plan to transform public schools, hoping in turn to improve the safety of neighborhoods.
Walsh also aims to spur economic development by “streamlining the permitting process, demanding interdepartmental coordination and clearing a direct path for business assistance from City staff,” according to his website.
Following the primary election, candidates Charlotte Golar Richie, Felix Arroyo and John Barros threw their endorsements – and supporters – behind Walsh.
Walsh’s campaign outspent Connolly’s by millions of dollars after he failed to agree to what Connolly called a “People’s Pledge” – an agreement to not accept money from special interest groups. Three-quarters of all outside money was spent promoting Walsh’s candidacy and outside political action committees spent $1.5 million airing Walsh television ads, according to Time Magazine.
After his loss, Connolly said he still stands by his decision.
“I would run it the same way. I was never going to go negative. I’m proud of the race that we ran,” Connolly said at his election night party. “At this point, it’s just about putting one foot in front of the next. So I’m thinking about going to my city council meeting tomorrow.”
In running for mayor, Connolly gave up his at-large city council seat, a slot that was won by Chicago native Michelle Wu on Tuesday.
“I knew Marty Walsh 10 years before I ever ran for office,” Connolly said. “Marty Walsh is a good man. He wants to do good things for Boston and he will do good things for Boston. And he has my full support.”
