Boston City Council retains progressive majority in election

It was a big night for progressives in Boston, who won key district and at-large races to retain their supermajority on the City Council.

The election brings four new faces to the council, three of whom were backed by Mayor Michelle Wu. Ben Weber in District 6, Enrique Pepén in District 5 and Henry Santana in the at-large contest all secured victories with Wu's endorsement, solidifying her support on the city's legislative body.

In a social media post Tuesday night, Santana said he was "honored" to be elected to the at-large seat, writing "tonight our city delivered a clear and resounding vote for progress."

Pepén and Weber replace councilors Ricardo Arroyo and Kendra Lara, respectively, who lost in historic defeats in the September preliminary election amid personal scandals. Longtime moderate councilors Michael Flaherty and Frank Baker decided not to seek re-election, following a period in which the council was bogged down in infighting and personal attacks.

In District 3, John FitzGerald — backed by Baker and former Mayor Marty Walsh —won a decisive victory over progressive Joel Richards.

Here's a full breakdown of each council race:

Incumbent city councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia and Erin Murphy all cruised to re-election. Unofficial election results show Louijeune was the top vote-getter, securing about 20% of the overall vote.

Henry Santana was elected to the seat being vacated by long-time councilor Michael Flaherty. Santana was the director of Mayor Wu’s ​​Office of Civic Organizing before stepping down to run for city council. He pitched himself as a progressive who would make addressing the city's lack of affordable housing a "top priority."

Santana edged out Bridget Nee-Walsh, a union ironworker from South Boston. This was her second run for the council; she advocated for more tutoring services and vocational programs in Boston Public Schools.

Santana also outran anti-vaccine activists Catherine Vitale and Shawn Nelson, as well as community organizer Clifton Braithwaite.

John FitzGerald beat out Joel Richards in Dorchester-based District 3 by a comfortable margin, securing over 58% of the vote.

John FitzGerald is a deputy director at the Boston Planning and Development Authority who has worked at City Hall for almost two decades.

Falling short in that race was the more progressive Joel Richards, a Boston Public Schools teacher and pastor. Richards was endorsed by several service worker unions and the Boston chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Enrique Pepén beat José Ruiz in District 5, which encompasses Hyde Park and parts of Roslindale and Mattapan. Unofficial results show Pepén won about 52% of the vote to Ruiz's 47%.

Pepén is former executive director of the city's Office of Neighborhood Services. A self-described progressive, he had the endorsement of Wu, who personally knocked on doors for him on multiple occasions.

Ruiz is a retired Boston Police officer. He was supported by former mayor Marty Walsh and used to serve in the mayor's security detail.

Ben Weber bested William King in District 6, which includes Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, and part of Roslindale. The closely watched race for Councilor Kendra Lara's old seat ended in a bit of a blowout, with Weber earning over 60% of the vote.

Weber is a longtime labor attorney who ran for the council for the first time. He earned the endorsement of progressive power-brokers like Wu and the Jamaica Plain Progressives.

Weber's opponent William King is an IT director for a local non-profit, who advocated for vocational education and community policing. King was backed by Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden and the Boston firefighters union.

Incumbent Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson easily beat perennial challenger Althea Garrison in Roxbury-based District 7 with over 70% of the vote, according to the city's unofficial election results.

First-term Councilor Sharon Durkan took the win over Montez Haywood in District 8, which includes Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and Fenway. It was a rematch of July's special election, and unofficial results show Durkan bested the longtime Suffolk County District Attorney's office prosecutor with over 70% of the vote. Durkan, who previously fundraised for Wu, was endorsed by the mayor.

Incumbent Councilor Liz Breadon kept her seat over progressive challenger Jacob deBlecourt in Allston-Brighton. Unofficial results show Breadon captured about 66% of the vote to deBlecourt's 33%.