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On Nov. 2, Boston voted in Michelle Wu as its new mayor, the first woman, person of color, and Asian American elected to the role. This section covers the run-up to the historic election, and will be charting the beginning of the new administration.

The results

Where the mayoral candidates got their support

This interactive map shows votes received by Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George down to the precinct level.
Precinct-by-precinct results

More news

Michelle Wu wants Bostonians to chat on the T — but MBTA riders aren’t having it

Wu, a frequent MBTA rider, made the appeal during an interview with Politico after being asked whether people chat with her when she commutes.

Worlds apart politically, Baker and Wu begin to forge relationship

The future of the city that is New England’s economic engine rests on the relationship between the Boston mayor and the Massachusetts governor. So far, there isn’t much of one: Aides say Baker and Wu don’t know each other well.

More about Boston's mayor-elect

Who is Michelle Wu, the first Asian American and first woman to be elected mayor of Boston?

Here are some important things to know about the newly elected mayor.

The one when Michelle Wu opens a café — and finds a passion for trying to make government work
Before she was a lawyer or a city councilor or a mayoral candidate, before she was a wife or mother, Michelle Wu was the owner of a literary-themed café in Chicago.

‘Redefining what leadership looks like’: What Michelle Wu’s win means for representation

“To have somebody who is the face of the city,” said Sam Hyun, chairperson of the Massachusetts Asian American Commission, “it’s absolutely historic.”

Michelle Wu’s policy proposals on five major issues facing Boston

We break down Michelle Wu's policy platforms on five major issues: housing and rent control, education, racial justice/policing reform, business, and climate change.

Election results

Boston mayor
Michelle Wu

Michelle Wu

91,239 votes64.2%

Annissa Essaibi George
35.8%50,879 votes

Source: AP

100.0% Reporting

See full results

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City Council race

New Boston City Council takes shape

A new Boston City Council is taking shape after an array of competitive races, including five open seats, brought significant turnover to the city’s legislative body, and some historic firsts. Voters also weighed in on issues such as policing and affordable housing.

Halbert concedes to Murphy, who wins fourth at-large seat on the Boston City Council

Erin Murphy edged David Halbert by 325 votes.

The issues that matter

On policing, Boston mayoral candidates Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George are miles apart

Essaibi George’s policing stances have cast her as a more centrist figure in the race, while Wu’s unabashed progressivism and calls for reform contributed to a decisive victory in September’s preliminary contest.

One of the biggest fights Boston’s next mayor will face: keeping control of the public schools
Both Annissa Essaibi George and Michelle Wu say they are up to the challenge of overhauling the Boston Public Schools system, and neither wants the district to be taken over by the state.

Voters say housing is their top priority. In a contested stretch of the city, what do they actually want?
The next mayor will have to steer Boston through a housing crisis that increasingly splits the city’s haves and have-nots.

Unfair dress codes, no hip-hop, few local clubs: These are the issues around nightlife in Boston Black voters want addressed
A forum last month highlighted how Boston’s party scene is failing Black communities.

Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe

Run by Black journalists at The Boston Globe, “Black News Hour,” a new radio program, delivers reliable news that connects with our community and expands on deeper issues impacting our city.

Read more

Shirley Leung

‘New, first, different.’ Skeptics are already whispering about Michelle Wu

Her political honeymoon as mayor almost certainly will be short because as a woman of color, Wu is up against a double standard that white male mayors never had to contend with.

‘We have so much work to do.’ Michelle Wu sworn in as mayor of Boston

Michelle Wu is the first woman, first person of color, and first Asian American elected to lead the city.

Watch: Michelle Wu sworn in as the new mayor of Boston

Michelle Wu on Tuesday was sworn in as Boston’s new mayor during an oath of office ceremony at City Hall. Watch the ceremony and Wu’s first remarks as mayor.

Hours before swearing in, Wu names several advisers to help with ‘seamless’ transition

The advisers include Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson, Wu’s campaign manager in her historic run for office, who will serve as interim chief of staff.

After Michelle Wu is sworn in, her ambitious agenda will be put to the test

Wu, who will be sworn in as Boston mayor Tuesday, has the challenge of an ambitious policy agenda that she will have to slot into the rigid workings of municipal government.

Millennial. Mom. Mayor. Another way Michelle Wu reflects a changing Boston

Wu is not only the first woman of color elected mayor of Boston. She’s also a 30-something working mom. Many like her in Boston hope she’ll bring that perspective to City Hall too.

Tell us: What do you want to see from the new mayor?

As we approach mayor-elect Michelle Wu’s swearing-in, we want to hear from readers. What do you want to see from the new mayor?

Recent violence involving Boston police could complicate Michelle Wu’s plans to reform the department

On the campaign trail, Wu was a vocal supporter of deep and systemic reform for the police. A burst of violence could make that effort more turbulent.

‘My heart is so full.’ Janey reflects on her historic term and her accomplishments

Acting Mayor Kim Janey broke many glass ceilings when she stepped up to lead the city last March, becoming the first woman and first Black person to lead Boston.

Boston mayoral race among most expensive in city history

The two candidates ultimately spent $5.4 million this year through the end of October, with outside groups pouring in another $3.4 million.