Bostonians will soon be called to take to the stands and cast their votes in the 2023 city councilor elections— meaning it's time to take a seat and get to know your district's candidates. On Sept. 12, districts 3, 5, 6 and 7 held preliminary elections. On Nov. 7, the polls will open for the General Election.
Of the nine districts and one councilor-at-large elections, three candidates run unopposed.
Dates and deadlines to keep in mind
Sept. 2: Deadline to register to vote in preliminary election
Sept. 2 - 8: Early voting. Find locations here.
Oct. 28: The deadline to register to vote in the general election is 5 p.m.
Oct. 31: The deadline to request your vote-by-mail ballot for the general election is 5 p.m.
Nov. 7: General election day. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cast their votes for district and at-large city councilors.
To learn more about how to vote and which district you belong to, visit the City of Boston's locating tool here.
Councilor-at-large
Ruthzee Louijeune (incumbent)
About: Ruthzee Louijeune is a lawyer and activist born and raised in Boston. She has served as councilor-at-large since January of 2022.
Key issues: Housing, homeownership, education access, and civic participation
Julia Mejia (incumbent)
About: After immigrating from the Dominican Republic, Julia Mejia moved to and was raised in Dorchester. She has served as councilor-at-large since January of 2020. During her time in office, she created a COVID response initiative and continues to promote community civic engagement.
Key Issues: Accessibility, accountability, transparency and civic engagement
Erin Murphy (incumbent)
About: Born and raised in Dorchester, Erin Murphy is passionate about giving voices to neighborhoods such as her own. A councilor-at-large since December of 2021, she has worked to "bring Boston back" by giving a voice to local unions.
Key issues: Workers and businesses, education, recovery support and veteran advocacy
About: Bridget Nee-Walsh was born and raised in Boston and is proud to be a union member and small business owner. She wishes to "build a better Boston" by addressing the challenged of everyday working families.
Key issues: Schools, housing affordability, mental health, substance abuse, local economy and small businesses and public safety
About: A former U.S. Marine Corps member and CNA, Shawn Nelson was born and raised in Dorchester. He is running for councilor-at-large in the hopes to "address the concerns of everyday Bostonians."
Key issues: Mass and cass, traffic congestion, supporting local small businesses, parents' rights, housing, violence and education
About: Henry Santana was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to Mission Hill as a child, where he grew up and attended Boston Public Schools. If elected, he plans to use his experience in civic organizing to create a more accessible local government.
Key issues: Housing, public safety, environment and civic engagement
About: A mother whose family has been impacted by homelessness and addiction, Catherine Vitale hopes to represent her lived experiences as councilor-at-large. She wishes to restore Boston to a "family-oriented city" by sharing her wisdom as a Boston mother. Of note: Vitale was arrested in April 2022 while protesting during a City Hall press conference about Boston Marathon preparations. She was charged with assault and battery on a police officer and disrupting the peace, but the charges were ultimately dropped.
Key issues: Mass and Cass, overdevelopment, parental rights, violence, housing, small business
About: Clifton Brathwaite has spent a majority of his career working with local Boston businesses, government officials and communities.
Key issues: Public safety, senior services, childcare and education, health and wealth, home ownership and affordable housing
District 1
Gabriela Coletta (incumbent, unopposed)
About: Serving as District 1 city councilor since May of 2022, Gabriela Coletta works to conquer the everyday challenges within Charlestown, East Boston, and North End communities. She grew up in East Boston and has dedicated her career to public service.
Key issues: Housing, environmental justice and climate change, education, excellent constituent services and migrant justice and solidarity
District 2
Ed Flynn (incumbent, unopposed)
About: Serving as District 1 city councilor since January 2018, Ed Flynn is a lifelong resident of Boston who is passionate about making Boston a great place to live. He is a veteran and father to two children living in South Boston.
Key issues: Education, public transit, affordable housing, reliable community services and united neighborhoods
District 3
Incumbent Frank Baker is not running for reelection, meaning a new face will represent Distrct 3.
About: A first-generation Jamaican-American and Dorchester resident, Joel Richards hopes to use his "personal and professional experience needed to get results for all our neighbors in Dorchester and the South End." He currently works as a public school teacher and pastor, and is a father to two boys.
Key issues: Education, affordable housing, safe transportation, climate change and strong local economy
About: A local husband and father, John Fitzgerald has dedicated his career to public service and wishes to continue to do so as a District 3 city councilman. He was born and raised in Boston and lives in Dorchester with his family.
Key issues: Housing, education, public safety and basic city services
These other candidates won't appear on the ballot, having lost during preliminary elections.
About: Jennifer Johnson is a longtime resident of Dorchester, small business owner and civic leader. If elected, she hopes to emphasize community concerns and address them accordingly.
Key issues: Affordable housing, public education, Mass and Cass and constituent services
About: Barry Lawton has lived in Boston for over 50 years and has worked in the State House, Boston City Hall and Boston Public Schools system. He is a single father and wishes to continue the traditions and diversity of Dorchester.
Key issues: Education, the elderly, transportation, jobs, housing, filed legislation and Mass and Cass
About: Matthew Patton is a father, workers' rights attorney and community organizer. If elected, his mission is to make Boston a better home for workers as well as the next generation.
Key issues: Education, Mass and Cass, housing and infrastructure and health equity
About: Ann Walsh is an active community member in her home of Dorchester. As District 3 city councilor, she hopes to connect all of the community members to the resources and information Boston affords them.
Key issues: Education, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, effective public transportation, climate change and accessible constituent services.
District 4
Brian Worrell (incumbent, unopposed)
About: Serving as District 4 city councilor since January of 2022, Brian Worrell has spent his time in office fighting for more accessible housing and increased job opportunities.
Key issues: Housing, education, jobs, climate justice, accessibility and public safety
District 5
About: Born and raised in Boston by immigrant parents, Enrique Pepén wishes to foster the same sense of community he felt growing up. He has dedicated his career to public service and wishes to bring more resources to District 5's residents. He has been endorsed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Of note: Pepén apologized after questions surfaced about potential campaign law violations, including $11,000 in campaign contributions in June, which is a violation of state law concerning paid municipal employees' political activity, the Boston Globe reported.
Key Issues: Affordable housing, public education, jobs and the economy, public safety, environmental justice and sustainability and transportation.
About: Jose Ruiz was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Boston where he attended public schools and eventually became a law enforcement officer. He enjoys giving back to his community and wishes to do so as city councilor.
Key Issues: Housing, public safety, education and basic city services
These other candidates won't appear on the ballot, having lost during preliminary elections.
Ricardo Arroyo, the incumbent, conceded after a poor showing during preliminary elections.
About: The son of two public servants, Ricardo Arroyo was born and raised in Hyde Park. A retired Boston Public School teacher, he now serves as District 5 city councilman. Of note: Arroyo has faced scrutiny over sexual assault allegations, which he denied and never faced charges for, as well as an ethics violation, for which he paid a civil penalty.
Key issues: Stronger economies, quality schools, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods and healthy communities
About: Wishing to be a "voice to the voiceless," Sanon has worked in Boston public service for over three decades. He hopes to use his experience to mitigate the housing and crime crises.
Key Issues: Public health, public safety, small business and unemployment and job creation.
District 6
About: Born and raised in Boston, William King has been active in his community since his youth. He formerly worked for the Boston Public School system and wishes to serve as councilor to promote constituent services.
Key Issues: Housing, education, transportation, public safety and climate justice
About: Ben Weber has spent over 20 years in a legal career fighting for workers' rights. As a longtime resident of Jamaica Plain, he now wishes to extend this experience to District 6 as city councilman.
Key Issues: Constituent services, education, housing affordability, effective City Council, cultural enrichment, transportation, public safety, athletics and recreation, supporting immigrants and refugees, labor and wages, racial equity, access to legal services, food security, Boston as a soccer hub and climate change
These other candidates won't appear on the ballot, having lost during preliminary elections.
Kendra Lara, the incumbent, conceded after seeing results from preliminary elections. Lara is currently embroiled in a controversy after she was allegedly driving with a revoked license, in an unregistered, uninsured car with an expired inspection sticker that belonged to someone else when she crashed into a house on June 30.
About: Kendra Lara has been working in public service since she was 19 years, and has since continued to fight for racial and economic justice. She has served as the District 6 city councilor since 2021.
Key issues: Racial and economic justice, community violence and safety, LQBTQ+ equity
District 7
Tania Fernandes Anderson (incumbent)
About: Tania Fernandes Anderson was born in Cape Verde and immigrated to Roxbury where she grew up in a low-income household. With her own experiences and those learned from working in homeless shelters and social work, she hopes to be an advocate for those who need it most. Of note: Fernandes Anderson recently admitted to violating the conflict of interest law and agreed to pay a $5,000 penalty after hiring her sister and son to her Boston City Council Staff.
Key Issues: Covid-19 recovery, mental health, substance misuse services, racial health equity and inclusion
About: A former at-large city councilor, Althea Garrison is a resident of Dorchester. During her time in office, she served as an "independent voice for change."
Key Issues: Affordable housing, senior care, homeless veterans, workforce development and public transportation
These other candidates won't appear on the ballot, having lost during preliminary elections.
About: Jerome King is a longtime Boston native who wishes to "be a solution to the problems at hand within our community as well as our beloved city."
Roy Owens
About: Roy Owens has run for office at least 10 times since 2012, vying for seats ranging from City Council to State Senate and Congress, WGBH reports. He is a former teacher and has experience as a community advocate and working with neighborhood nonprofits. He campaigns with detailed mailers that have been found to contain conspiracy theories, and can sometimes be found driving around Roxbury with a loudspeaker attached to his minivan.
Key issues: Affordable and low-income housing, addressing homelessness, increasing access to food and health care for communities of color, Mass. and Cass.
About: Padma Scott is a working single mom who describes herself as unafraid to “stand up to the establishment and fight for our community. She has been a vocal critic of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's policies, especially concerning COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Key Issues: Crime, gentrification, small business support and youth program opportunities
District 8
About: Sharon Durkan won the District 8 seat in a special election after the sitting councilor, Kenzie Bok, took the lead role at the Boston Housing Authority. Durkan has said she will run for the seat again come fall. According to her campaign site, she "believes that solving challenges requires listening to each other and working together."
Key issues: Access to housing, safe, quality transit, mental health care for all, and climate-resilient neighborhoods.
About: Montez Haywood lost to Durkan in the special election, but has said he will run again in the fall. Endorsed by the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, he is a prosecutor whose career has focused on violence in the city.
Key issues: Public safety, affordable housing, strong public school systems, police recruitment, public health, including mental health and addiction services, and climate resiliency
District 9
About: Liz Beadon is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to be elected to the city council. She is an immigrant from Northern Ireland and currently resides in Allston-Brighton where she is an engaged community activist.
Key Issues: Housing, transportation, environment, education and Allston artist community
About: A longtime Allston-Brighton renter, Jacob deBlecourt is passionate about affordable housing in the area. Having worked within City Council, they hope to take the next step and represent the district as a city councilman.
Key Issues: Housing, education, civil rights and public safety, arts and culture, civic engagement and rat platform
