Boston fields historically diverse crop of mayoral candidates; all top candidates identify as people of color
By Meghan E. Irons Globe Staff,Updated May 11, 2021, 7:49 p.m.
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Boston's mayoral candidates, from left, Kim Janey, Michelle Wu, Andrea Campbell, Annissa Essaibi George, John Barros, and Jon Santiago.Globe
As Tuesdayâs deadline to take out papers for city office came and went, the field of candidates for the next mayor of Boston emerged as a historic one: For the first time, all of the major candidates identify as people of color.
It is a significant and transformational milestone in a city with a notorious history of white political power, although most of its residents are Black, Latino, Asians, or other people of color. This moment highlights the fact that âthe city is ready to move on,â' said state Representative Russell Holmes of Mattapan, who added that he does not see Boston returning to a time when there arenât any women or people of color on the mayoral ballot.