The 2009 Boston mayoral election occurred on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, between incumbent
Mayor of BostonThomas Menino, and
Michael F. Flaherty, member of the
Boston City Council and former Council president. Menino was re-elected to a fifth term, the first mayor to do so in Boston history. A nonpartisan municipal
preliminary election was held on September 22, 2009, where Flaherty and Menino advanced to the general election.
31% of registered voters turned out to vote in the election.[1][2]
Campaign
After the preliminary election, Flaherty and fellow-Councillor
Sam Yoon, who had finished third, declared they had formed a ticket. If Flaherty were victorious, he vowed to appoint Yoon deputy mayor, a position that had not existed in Boston since the administration of
Kevin White, who left office in 1984.[3] Details of the position, including salary, were never finalized.
Candidates
Candidates who advanced to general election
Candidate
Experience
Announced
Ref
The following candidates advanced to the general election held on November 3
Following the preliminary election, Flaherty immediately began an aggressive campaign, attacking Menino as ineffectual.[16] Sam Yoon and Michael Flaherty announced that they would run as a ticket in the general election, with Flaherty pledging to appoint Yoon deputy mayor if he won.[17] Kevin McRea also announced that he would endorse Flaherty.[18]
Endorsements
Names in bold endorsed after the preliminary election.
Michael F. Flaherty
State officials
Mel King, former state representative for the 9th Suffolk District; Candidate for Mayor in 1983[19]