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Mayor of Boston
Seal of the Office of the Mayor of the City of Boston.png
Seal
Michelle Wu 53455940403 bd5ebc2ca6 o (2).jpg
Incumbent
Michelle Wu

since November 16, 2021
Style His/Her Honor
Member of Board of Aldermen
(1822-1854)
Residence None official
Seat Boston City Hall
Nominator Non-partisan nominating petition
Appointer Popular vote
Term length Four years
Constituting instrument Boston City Charter
Precursor Boston Board of Selectmen
Formation Original Post:
1822
Current form:
1909
First holder John Phillips
Salary $199,000 (2018)


The Mayor of Boston is the main leader of the city government in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston uses a special type of government called a mayor–council government, where the mayor is the chief executive and works with a city council.

Mayoral elections in Boston are nonpartisan, meaning candidates don't run as members of a political party. The mayor is elected for a four-year term, and there's no limit to how many terms they can serve. The mayor's main office is located in Boston City Hall, in an area called Government Center.

The current Mayor of Boston is Michelle Wu. She took office on November 16, 2021.

History of Boston's Mayors

Before 1822, Boston was set up as a town, not a city. Towns in Massachusetts were usually run by a town meeting and a group called a board of selectmen. These selectmen handled the daily business.

Becoming a City

Boston was the first place in Massachusetts to get a special document called a city charter in 1822. This charter changed Boston from a town into a city. With this new charter, Boston started having a mayor who was elected every year.

Changes to the Mayor's Term

In June 1895, the city charter was updated. This change made the mayor's term longer, from one year to two years.

More big changes happened in 1909. The state government decided to make the mayor's term even longer, to four years. They also made the position officially non-partisan, meaning candidates would not run as part of a political party.

Rules About Serving Terms

In 1918, a law was passed that stopped the Mayor of Boston from serving two terms in a row. This meant a mayor had to take a break after one term before running again. For example, James Michael Curley was prevented from running for re-election twice because of this law. This rule was removed in 1939.

Another important change to the city's rules happened in 1949. This update added a preliminary election to help narrow down the candidates. Before the main election, voters would choose from many candidates, and only the top two would move on. This change also made the Boston City Council smaller and gave the council more power to disagree with the mayor's decisions. These new rules started in 1951.

Election Schedule

From 1951 to 1991, Boston's mayoral elections were held the year before presidential elections. For example, if there was a mayoral election in 1951, the presidential election would be in 1952. Since 1993, the mayoral elections have been held the year after presidential elections. This change happened after Raymond Flynn became an ambassador, which led to a special election.

Mayor's Salary

In June 2018, the city council voted to increase the mayor's salary to $207,000. This change took effect after the November 2021 mayoral election. In October 2022, the council voted again to increase the mayor's salary to $250,000.

How Mayors Are Counted

The City of Boston does not have an official way of numbering its mayors. Because of this, the numbering has changed over time. For example, Thomas Menino was called the 47th mayor when he started, but his successor, Marty Walsh, was identified as the 54th. The Walsh administration even used Wikipedia for its count! This numbering system usually counts people who were elected mayors. It also counts mayors who served terms that were not in a row more than once. For example, James Michael Curley served four separate terms and was counted four times.

ThomasMenino
Thomas Menino, longest-serving mayor of Boston

List of Mayors

Mayor Term In office   Party
Start End Terms won Duration
John Phillips by William Hoogland 5210004 015 001 (3x4a).jpg Phillips, JohnJohn Phillips May 1, 1822 May 1, 1823 1 1 year Federalist
Josiah Quincy 5210004 015 002 (3x4a).jpg Quincy III, JosiahJosiah Quincy III May 1, 1823 January 5, 1829 6 5 years, 8 months Federalist
Harrison Gray Otis by Chester Harding, 1833, oil on canvas, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-7700056A 2 (1).jpg Otis, Harrison G.Harrison G. Otis January 5, 1829 January 2, 1832 3 3 years Federalist
Charles Wells 5210004 015 004 (1).jpg Wells, CharlesCharles Wells January 2, 1832 January 6, 1834 2 2 years Whig
Theodore Lyman, Jr. 5210004 015 005 (3x4a).jpg Lyman, TheodoreTheodore Lyman January 6, 1834 January 4, 1836 2 2 years Democratic
Samuel T. Armstrong 5210004 015 006 (3x4).jpg Armstrong, Samuel T.Samuel T. Armstrong January 4, 1836 January 1, 1837 1 1 year Whig
Samuel A. Eliot 5210004 015 007 (3x4a).jpg Eliot, Samuel A.Samuel A. Eliot January 1, 1837 January 6, 1840 3 3 years Whig
Jonathan Chapman 5210004 015 008 (3x4).jpg Chapman, JonathanJonathan Chapman January 6, 1840 January 2, 1843 3 3 years Whig
Martin Brimmer 5210004 015 009 (3x4).jpg Brimmer, MartinMartin Brimmer January 2, 1843 January 6, 1845 2 2 years Whig
3x4.svg Parker, WilliamWilliam Parker double-dagger January 6, 1845 February 27, 1845 2 months Whig
Thomas A . Davis 1 5210004 015 010 (3x4a).jpg Davis, Thomas AspinwallThomas Aspinwall Davis dagger February 27, 1845 November 22, 1845 1 9 months Native American
3x4.svg Leavitt, BensonBenson Leavitt double-dagger November 22, 1845 December 11, 1845 1 month Whig
Josiah Quincy 5210004 015 011 (3x4).jpg Quincy IV., JosiahJosiah Quincy IV. December 11, 1845 January 1, 1849 3 3 years, 1 month Whig
John P. Bigelow 5210004 015 012 (3x4).jpg Bigelow, John P.John P. Bigelow January 1, 1849 January 5, 1852 3 3 years Whig
Benjamin Seaver 5210004 015 013 (3x4).jpg Seaver, BenjaminBenjamin Seaver January 5, 1852 January 2, 1854 2 2 years Whig
Jerome V. C. Smith by E. Billings 5210004 015 014 (3x4a).jpg Smith, Jerome V. C.Jerome V. C. Smith January 2, 1854 January 7, 1856 2 2 years American
Alexander H. Rice 5210004 015 015 (3x4a).jpg Rice, Alexander H.Alexander H. Rice January 7, 1856 January 4, 1858 2 2 years Independent
Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. 5210004 015 016 (3x4b).jpg Lincoln Jr., Frederic W.Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. January 4, 1858 January 7, 1861 3 3 years Republican
Joseph Wightman 5210004 015 017 (3x4).jpg Wightman, JosephJoseph Wightman January 7, 1861 January 5, 1863 2 2 years Democratic
Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. 5210004 015 016 (3x4b).jpg Lincoln Jr., Frederic W.Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. January 5, 1863 January 7, 1867 4 4 years Republican
Otis Norcross 5210004 015 018 (3x4a).jpg Norcross, OtisOtis Norcross January 7, 1867 January 6, 1868 1 1 year Republican
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff 5210004 015 019 (3x4a).jpg Shurtleff, Nathaniel B.Nathaniel B. Shurtleff January 6, 1868 January 2, 1871 3 3 years Democratic
William Gaston 5210004 015 020 (3x4).jpg Gaston, WilliamWilliam Gaston January 2, 1871 January 6, 1873 2 2 years Democratic
Henry L. Pierce - Brady-Handy.jpg Pierce, Henry L.Henry L. Pierce January 6, 1873 November 29, 1873 1 11 months None
Leonard R. Cutter 5210004 015 022 (3x4a).jpg Cutter, Leonard R.Leonard R. Cutter double-dagger November 29, 1873 January 5, 1874 1 month Democratic
Samuel C. Cobb 5210004 015 023 (3x4).jpg Cobb, Samuel C.Samuel C. Cobb January 5, 1874 January 1, 1877 3 3 years None
Frederick O. Prince 5210004 015 024 (3x4b).jpg Prince, Frederick O.Frederick O. Prince January 1, 1877 January 7, 1878 1 1 year Democratic
Henry L. Pierce - Brady-Handy.jpg Pierce, Henry L.Henry L. Pierce January 7, 1878 January 6, 1879 1 1 year Republican
Frederick O. Prince 5210004 015 024 (3x4b).jpg Prince, Frederick O.Frederick O. Prince January 6, 1879 January 2, 1882 3 3 years Democratic
Samuel A. Green 5210004 015 025 (3x4a).jpg Green, Samuel A.Samuel A. Green January 2, 1882 January 1, 1883 1 1 year Republican
Albert Palmer 5210004 015 026 (3x4a).jpg Palmer, AlbertAlbert Palmer January 1, 1883 January 7, 1884 1 1 year Democratic
Augustus P. Martin 5210004 015 027 (3x4a).jpg Martin, Augustus PearlAugustus Pearl Martin January 7, 1884 January 5, 1885 1 1 year Republican
Hugh O'Brien 5210004 015 028 (3x4a).jpg O'Brien, HughHugh O'Brien January 5, 1885 January 7, 1889 4 4 years Democratic
Thomas Norton Hart (a).png Hart, Thomas N.Thomas N. Hart January 7, 1889 December 31, 1890 2 2 years Republican
Nathan Matthews Jr. 5210004 015 030 (3x4a).jpg Matthews Jr., NathanNathan Matthews Jr. January 1, 1891 January 7, 1895 4 4 years Democratic
Edwin Upton Curtis (1861–1922) (3x4a).png Curtis, Edwin UptonEdwin Upton Curtis January 7, 1895 January 6, 1896 1 1 year Republican
Mayoral term increased to two years.
Josiah Quincy 5210004 015 032 (3x4a).jpg Quincy, JosiahJosiah Quincy January 6, 1896 January 1, 1900 2 4 years Democratic
Thomas Norton Hart (a).png Hart, Thomas N.Thomas N. Hart January 1, 1900 January 6, 1902 1 2 years Republican
Mayor PA Collins (2).png Collins, PatrickPatrick Collins dagger January 6, 1902 September 13, 1905 2 3 years, 9 months Democratic
Daniel A. Whelton 5210004 015 034 (3x4a).jpg Whelton, Daniel A.Daniel A. Whelton double-dagger September 15, 1905 January 1, 1906 3 months Democratic
J.F. Fitzgerald LCCN2014714230 (3x4a).jpg Fitzgerald, John F.John F. Fitzgerald January 1, 1906 January 6, 1908 1 2 years Democratic
George A. Hibbard 5210004 015 035 (3x4a).jpg Hibbard, George A.George A. Hibbard January 6, 1908 February 7, 1910 1 2 years Republican
Mayoral term increased to four years.
J.F. Fitzgerald LCCN2014714230 (3x4a).jpg Fitzgerald, John F.John F. Fitzgerald February 7, 1910 February 2, 1914 1 4 years Democratic
CURLEY, JAMES MICHAEL. REP. FROM MASSACHUSETTS, 1911-1914 LCCN2016865259 (3x4a).jpg Curley, James MichaelJames Michael Curley February 2, 1914 February 4, 1918 1 4 years Democratic
AndrewJamesPeters.jpg Peters, Andrew J.Andrew J. Peters February 4, 1918 February 6, 1922 1 4 years Democratic
James Michael Curley in 1922 (2).png Curley, James MichaelJames Michael Curley February 6, 1922 January 4, 1926 1 4 years Democratic
Malcolm E. Nichols former Mayor of Boston (2).png Nichols, MalcolmMalcolm Nichols January 4, 1926 January 6, 1930 1 4 years Republican
James Michael Curley (6082770554) 2.jpg Curley, James MichaelJames Michael Curley January 6, 1930 January 1, 1934 1 4 years Democratic
Frederick William Mansfield (2).png Mansfield, FrederickFrederick Mansfield January 1, 1934 January 3, 1938 1 4 years Democratic
Maurice J. Tobin (3).jpg Tobin, Maurice J.Maurice J. Tobin January 3, 1938 January 4, 1945 2 7 years Democratic
JohnKerrigan ca1930s Boston CityCouncil (1).png Kerrigan, John E.John E. Kerrigan double-dagger January 4, 1945 January 7, 1946 1 year Democratic
James Michael Curley (6082770554) 2.jpg Curley, James MichaelJames Michael Curley January 7, 1946 January 2, 1950 1 4 years Democratic
John B. Hynes (10926270034) (1).jpg Hynes, John B.John B. Hynes January 2, 1950 January 4, 1960 3 10 years Democratic
Mayor John F. Collins (13242881633) (4).jpg Collins, John F.John F. Collins January 4, 1960 January 1, 1968 2 8 years Democratic
Boston Mayor Kevin H White (2).jpg White, KevinKevin White January 1, 1968 January 2, 1984 4 16 years Democratic
Mayor Raymond L. Flynn (9501942333) (1).jpg Flynn, RaymondRaymond Flynn January 2, 1984 July 12, 1993 3 9 years, 6 months Democratic
Mayor Thomas M. Menino (15649592926) (2).jpg Menino, ThomasThomas Menino July 12, 1993 January 6, 2014 5 20 years, 6 months Democratic
Secretary Marty Walsh official portrait (1a).jpg Walsh, MartyMarty Walsh January 6, 2014 March 22, 2021 2 7 years, 2 months Democratic
Kim Janey 52903219186 ea4bae1a12 o (1).jpg Janey, KimKim Janey double-dagger March 22, 2021 November 16, 2021 8 months Democratic
Michelle Wu 53455940403 bd5ebc2ca6 o (2).jpg Wu, MichelleMichelle Wu November 16, 2021 Incumbent 1 3 years, 8 months Democratic

dagger died in office
double-dagger acting mayor only
Native American Party and American Party were formal names of the "Know Nothing" movement.

Mayors Serving Non-Consecutive Terms

Some mayors have served more than one term, but not in a row. This table shows them.

Mayor Start of
first term
End of
final term
In office   Party
Terms won Duration
Lincoln Jr., Frederic W.Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. January 4, 1858 January 7, 1867 7 7 years Republican
Pierce, Henry L.Henry L. Pierce January 6, 1873 January 6, 1879 2 1 year, 11 months Republican
Prince, Frederick O.Frederick O. Prince January 1, 1877 January 2, 1882 4 4 years Democratic
Hart, Thomas N.Thomas N. Hart January 7, 1889 January 7, 1902 3 4 years Republican
Fitzgerald, John F.John F. Fitzgerald January 5, 1906 February 2, 1914 2 6 years Democratic
Curley, James MichaelJames Michael Curley February 2, 1914 January 2, 1950 4 16 years Democratic

Acting Mayors

Sometimes, a mayor might not be able to do their job, or the position might be empty. When this happens, the president of the City Council steps in as the "acting mayor." An acting mayor can only handle urgent tasks and cannot make permanent appointments.

Here are some people who have served as acting mayor when the main mayor's office was empty:

Year Name Explanation Ref.
1845 William Parker Served as acting mayor when elections were stuck in a tie.
1845 Benson Leavitt Became acting mayor after Thomas A. Davis passed away.
1853 Benjamin L. Allen Served as acting mayor during tied elections.
1873 Leonard R. Cutter Became acting mayor after Henry L. Pierce was elected to Congress.
1905 Daniel A. Whelton Served as acting mayor after Patrick Collins passed away.
1945 John E. Kerrigan Became acting mayor when Maurice J. Tobin became the Governor of Massachusetts.
1947 John B. Hynes Served as acting mayor during the absence of James M. Curley.
1993 Thomas Menino Became acting mayor when Raymond Flynn became the Ambassador to the Holy See.
2021 Kim Janey Served as acting mayor when Marty Walsh became the United States Secretary of Labor.

See also

  • Timeline of Boston
  • List of elections in Massachusetts
  • List of members of the Boston City Council
  • List of mayors of Roxbury, Massachusetts
  • List of mayors of Charlestown, Massachusetts
  • List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States
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