Kim Janey Becomes Mayor of Boston
Update
03/23/21
Senate Confirms Walsh as Labor Secretary, John Barros Joins Mayoral Race
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has been confirmed for the position of Secretary of Labor by the Senate. Boston City Council President and 2021 mayoral candidate Kim Janey is now acting mayor, becoming the 55th Mayor of Boston and the first African American woman in history to lead the city. Janey will be sworn in on March 24th.
"Congratulations on your confirmation, Secretary Walsh," Janey said via Twitter. "You are a proud son of Dorchester who will bring our city with you to the @USDOL. The working people of America will benefit greatly from your passion. Now, we look ahead to a new day — a new chapter — in Boston’s history."
With Walsh departed, former Boston Chief of Economic Development John Barros has announced his candidacy for mayor, joining city councilors Michelle Wu, Andrea Campbell, Annissa Essaibi George, and State Representative Jon Santiago.
“The challenge of Boston is how we harness all of our city’s strengths and opportunities, create partnerships and relationships, and make sure they work to lift everyone up. That’s the work I’ve dedicated my life to,” said Barros, who lives in Dorchester. “I’m running for mayor of the city of Boston because I’m ready to meet this moment and take us further.”
In an increasingly crowded mayoral race, the current candidates have mixed plans for the future of the BPDA. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu has called for the abolishment of the BPDA while City Councilor Andrea Campbell led efforts in 2016 to pass the Community Preservation Act. BLDUP broke down the other candidates' stances on development in February when examining the field race.
Since the start of Mayor Walsh’s tenure, approximately 86.2 million square feet of development worth more than $43.4 billion has been approved, including 45,532 residential units, 9,884 of which are income-restricted units.
