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‘Landslide’: Santana beats out Baker, Wu says, while Culpepper wins D7
Rev. Miniard Culpepper, a newcomer, will take the only seat on the council without an incumbent since Tania Fernandes Anderson stepped down.
The Boston City Council won’t change too much next year, as each incumbent district councilor handily defeated their opponents while a Mayor Michelle Wu coalition seems to have kept former Councilor Frank Baker from returning.
The four at-large incumbents running for reelection to their City Council seats will return to City Hall, according to unofficial city results, while the District 7 seat appeared to go to a Dorchester reverend.
At-Large City Councilor Henry Santana appears to have secured his reelection, according to Wu and unofficial results as of 11:30 p.m., joining the three other at-large candidates on the body and staving off Baker.
Culpepper to win District 7, per local reports
Rev. Miniard Culpepper and Said Ahmed were battling to fill the seat that Tania Fernandes Anderson left vacant after pleading guilty to federal charges earlier this year. Results viewed by the Dorchester Reporter shows that Culpepper was appearing to pull ahead last Tuesday night.
Culpepper declared victory over Ahmed Tuesday night, saying Wu told him that he won by 500 votes.
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“But, I didn’t win by 500 votes,” he told cheering supporters, per NBC’s Matt Prichard. “You won by 500 votes.”
Wu says Santana came in fourth, beating out Baker
Wu appeared with City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Santana at an election night party at Seaport restaurant Grace by Nia. The mayor, who was elected to her second term Tuesday night, confirmed Santana won reelection, according to local reporters.
“City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune was the clear ticket topper with more than 50,000 votes,” Wu told cheering supporters at the restaurant, with 97 percent of precincts reporting. “City Councilor Henry Santana – overwhelmingly reelected in a landslide.”
All incumbents will return to the council, according to reports and unofficial results
The other district councilors facing a challenger each handily defeated their opponents.
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District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn, District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell, District 5 Councilor Enrique Pepén, District 6 Councilor Ben Weber, and District 9 Councilor Liz Breadon secured their reelection Tuesday night.
District 3 Councilor John FitzGerald and District 8 Councilor Sharon Durkan, who ran unopposed, will also return to the council.
“During these challenging times in our country, it’s important we are respectful to each other and work together to support residents in need and refocus our efforts on improving the quality of life for Boston residents and deliver city and neighborhood services,” Flynn said in a statement. “Boston works best when we work together.”
At-Large City Councilor Erin Murphy and Louijeune topped the at-large ballot ahead of the six other candidates for the four seats, with incumbent Julia Mejia coming in third, according to unofficial results around 11 p.m.
“I am deeply grateful to the residents of Boston for once again placing their trust in me to serve our city,” Louijeune said in a statement. “Topping the ticket again reflects the strength of our communities and our shared commitment to a more just and inclusive Boston where all can thrive.”
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