Boston, September 16, 2025
News Summary
In a tight race for Boston City Council’s District 7, candidates have formally requested a recount after preliminary vote margins were extremely narrow. Mavrick Afonso, trailing by just 17 votes, is among those seeking transparency in the electoral process. Said ‘Coach’ Ahmed and Miniard Culpepper have secured the top spots for the upcoming November general election, yet concerns over ballot accuracy have prompted this recount initiative. The vacancy arose after the previous councilor resigned amid legal troubles.
Boston — Candidates in the race for Boston City Council District 7 have formally requested a recount after preliminary results produced extremely narrow margins that determined which two candidates will advance to the November general election.
Key developments
The candidate finishing in third place, Mavrick Afonso, filed for a recount after initially trailing the second-place finisher, Miniard Culpepper, by 20 votes; later tallies showed the margin narrowing to 17 votes. Afonso joined several other candidates in submitting a formal recount petition to the Boston Election Department. The petition was filed by Afonso along with candidates Abdikarim, Samuel Hurtado, and Wawa Bell.
The preliminary results left Said “Coach” Ahmed, an educator from Roxbury, and Miniard Culpepper as the top two vote-getters who will move on to the general election in November. Ahmed led the field with 1,155 votes (15.72%), while Culpepper received 1,102 votes (15%). Afonso finished third with 1,082 votes (14.72%). The fourth and fifth place finishers, Samuel Hurtado and Abdikarim, received 1,057 votes (14.34%) and 1,054 votes (14.34%), respectively. The top five candidates were separated by just 1.38 percentage points.
Why candidates are seeking a recount
The close clustering of vote totals across the leading candidates has prompted calls for greater certainty and transparency in the count. Petitioners argue that the narrow margins mean a recount is warranted to ensure every ballot was counted accurately and that the outcome reflects voters’ intent. The Boston Election Department has not issued a public comment on the recount request as of the latest reports.
Recount procedure
Under local rules, a recount petition must be supported by signatures from 50 registered voters in each ward located within the district to trigger a formal recount. Candidates and supporters have indicated they are pursuing the necessary signatures and documentation to initiate the process.
Context of the vacancy
The District 7 seat opened after former City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson resigned in July following a guilty plea to federal corruption charges tied to an alleged kickback scheme. Her resignation and subsequent legal consequences left the district without an elected representative and prompted this crowded special election field of eleven candidates.
District composition and campaign focus
District 7 includes neighborhoods such as parts of Fenway, Dorchester, Roxbury, and sections of the South End. Leading candidates have focused on issues commonly raised by voters across the district, including affordable housing, street safety, and strong public schools. One of the leading candidates has said the campaign will continue emphasizing these priorities while respecting the ongoing recount process; Culpepper has likewise expressed support for a recount to ensure voters feel their voices were heard.
Responses from candidates
Afonso and other petitioners framed the recount as a matter of public trust and the integrity of the democratic process. Candidates who did not file recount requests acknowledged the right of their opponents to pursue recounts and indicated they will continue campaigning in the run-up to the November general election.
Corrections and accuracy
A previous version of reporting on this race included an incorrect attribution concerning allegations of harassment toward a candidate; that attribution has been corrected and does not apply to candidate Said Abdikarim. The current report reflects corrected information and verified vote totals from the preliminary count.
What happens next
If petitioners collect the required signatures from registered voters in each ward in the district, the Boston Election Department will be required to initiate a recount under the city’s election procedures. The timing and scope of any recount will depend on verification of petition signatures and the department’s administrative process. Meanwhile, Ahmed and Culpepper remain the two candidates slated to appear on the November ballot unless a recount changes those standings.
FAQ
How close were the preliminary results?
The top five candidates finished within a 1.38 percentage-point span. The leading candidate received 1,155 votes (15.72%), the second-place candidate received 1,102 votes (15%), and the third-place candidate received 1,082 votes (14.72%). The initial margin between second and third place was reported as 20 votes and later reported as 17 votes.
Who requested the recount?
Mavrick Afonso, along with Abdikarim, Samuel Hurtado, and Wawa Bell, formally submitted a recount request to the Boston Election Department.
What triggers a recount?
A recount petition must include signatures from 50 registered voters in each ward located within the district to trigger a formal recount under local rules.
Who currently advances to the general election?
Said “Coach” Ahmed and Miniard Culpepper are the two candidates currently positioned to advance to the November general election based on preliminary results.
Why was the District 7 seat vacant?
The seat became vacant after the former City Councilor resigned following a guilty plea to federal corruption charges related to an alleged kickback scheme.
| Rank | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Recount Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Said “Coach” Ahmed | 1,155 | 15.72% | Has not filed; supports recount process |
| 2 | Miniard Culpepper | 1,102 | 15.00% | Supports recount |
| 3 | Mavrick Afonso | 1,082 | 14.72% | Filed recount petition |
| 4 | Samuel Hurtado | 1,057 | 14.34% | Filed recount petition |
| 5 | Abdikarim | 1,054 | 14.34% | Filed recount petition |
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com: Close District 7 Boston City Council Race Could Go to a Recount
- Boston Herald: District 7 Boston City Council Race Likely Headed to a Recount
- Boston Globe: Boston District 7 Council Recount
- Wikipedia: Boston City Council
- Google Search: Boston City Council recount
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
