Wu becomes first woman, person of color elected as Boston mayor

[November 03, 2021]    (Reuters) - Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu became the first woman and person of color to be elected mayor of Boston, after her opponent, fellow Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, conceded defeat in Tuesday's election, according to local media reports.

Michelle Wu, candidate for Mayor of Boston, speaks to reporters after casting her ballot in her bid to become the first woman and first person of color to hold the office, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Wu, a progressive Democrat who has a close relationship with Massachusetts U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, campaigned on liberal policies such as policing reforms, rent control and a Green New Deal for Boston. Essaibi George, herself a woman of color, presented herself as the more moderate and pragmatic choice.

The city had elected only white men as mayor for nearly 200 years until Tuesday, though the current acting mayor, Kim Janey, who took over when former Mayor Marty Walsh joined the Biden administration, is a Black woman.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax and Eric Beech; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall and Tim Ahmann)

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