News Summary
Boston is gearing up for an important election cycle, with candidates officially qualifying for the preliminary election. Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu is challenged by Josh Kraft, while preliminary races will shape the City Council amid signature certifying efforts. The election dates are set, creating anticipation around the political landscape.
Boston is preparing for a significant election cycle in 2023 as candidates for mayor and all 13 City Council positions have officially qualified for the upcoming preliminary election. The preliminary election is scheduled for September 9, 2023, followed by the general election on November 4, 2023. Voters will have the opportunity to select their representatives, following the public’s response to candidates who have met the necessary requirements to be on the ballot.
As of now, the only candidates officially qualified for the mayoral race are incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and nonprofit executive Josh Kraft. However, seven candidates submitted their nomination papers by the 5 p.m. deadline, and the election department is currently in the process of certifying signatures. If Wu and Kraft remain the only qualified candidates for mayor, a preliminary election for this position will not take place.
In the City Council races, the situation is different. There will be preliminary elections in Districts 5 and 7 to determine the top two candidate contenders for these council seats. A total of eight candidates have qualified for the four at-large council positions, which include incumbent councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, and Henry Santana, along with former District 3 Councilor Frank Baker. Additional at-large candidates include Yves Mary Jean, Marvin Dee Mathelier, and Alexandra Valdez.
In terms of signature requirements, candidates seeking to run for mayor must gather a minimum of 3,000 signatures from registered Boston voters, while candidates for city councilor at-large need to collect 1,500 signatures. For district councilor candidates, the requirement is significantly lower at 200 signatures.
Boston’s City Council comprises 13 members, which include 9 district representatives and 4 at-large representatives. Notably, the seat for District 7 is currently open due to the previous councilor’s guilty plea for federal corruption charges. Following this, 14 candidates have returned petitions for the seat, with 8 of those candidates qualifying so far, including Said Abdirahman Abdikarim and Mavrick Afonso.
Across various districts, the race remains competitive. Councilors from Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 face challengers who have submitted petitions but have not yet received certification. For instance, District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata is being challenged by Ricardo Rodriguez, who has been certified. Similarly, District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell has one certified opponent, Juwan Khiry Skeens.
The upcoming preliminary election is pivotal because if fewer than two candidates qualify for either the mayoral or the at-large council positions, there will not be a preliminary election for those races. Currently, a total of eight candidates have qualified for the four at-large council positions; thus, should no further candidates come forward, they will be on the ballot in the November general election.
Signature certification for all candidates must be completed by June 24, 2023, as mandated by the city charter. This certification process is crucial, as it determines which candidates will be officially in the running for the city’s top executive positions and the City Council. The outcome of the preliminary election may significantly shape the political landscape of Boston, making every citizen’s voice in this electoral process essential.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boston Prepares for Rainy Weekend with Indoor Activities
Mayor Wu Strengthens Political Ties with Michlewitz
Boston Coffee Shop Workers Achieve Landmark Unionization
Boston Celebrates Best of Boston Winners
Anonymous Text Targets Boston Mayor Amid Scandal Allegations
Boston Mayoral Race Intensifies with Major Super PAC Contributions
Boston Restaurants Offer $1 Oysters This Summer
Boston Embraces AI Innovations and Cultural Celebrations
Surge in Campaign Spending Affects Boston Mayoral Race
BJ’s Wholesale Club to Open in Springfield, Massachusetts
Additional Resources
- Jamaica Plain News: Boston Ward 11 Democratic Committee Endorsements
- Boston.com: Andrew Cuomo Concedes Democratic Mayoral Primary
- Boston Globe: 2025 Preliminary Voter Guide
- CBS News: Massachusetts 2024 Election Primary
- Emerson College Polling: Boston 2025 Mayoral Poll
- Wikipedia: Boston
- Google Search: Boston 2025 election
- Google Scholar: Boston politics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston
- Google News: Boston 2025 Mayoral Election
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.
