As was the case throughout the city, Beacon Hill and West End voters favored the four incumbent candidates for city councilor at-large in last Tuesday’s election.
According to the city’s unofficial election results, Ayanna Pressley topped the polls in both neighborhoods, garnering approximately 23 percent of ballots cast in Beacon Hill (Ward 3, Precinct 6 and Ward 5, Precincts 3, 4, 5 and 11) and 20 percent in the West End (Ward 3, Precinct 5). Citywide, 21 percent of voters supported Pressley.
Also topping the bill were John Connolly, who received 22 percent of votes in Beacon Hill and 20 percent in the West End; Felix Arroyo, with 21 percent in Beacon Hill and 20 percent in the West End; and Stephen Murphy, with 15 percent in Beacon Hill and 16 percent in the West End.
Michael Flaherty, who served as city councilor at-large from 2000 until his unsuccessful bid for mayor in November of 2009, trailed closely behind in the race for one of four at-large seats, with 11 percent of votes in Beacon Hill and 14 percent in the West End.
Political newcomer Sean Ryan garnered 5 percent of ballots cast in Beacon Hill and 3 percent in the West End, while Will Dorcena – another neophyte – received 4 percent of votes in Beacon Hill and 5 percent in the West End.
Approximately 13 percent of registered voters in Beacon Hill and 12 percent in the West End participated in the election, compared with the citywide rate of 18 percent.