List of members of Boston City Council


This is a list of members of the Boston City Council, both past and present, serving the people of Boston, Massachusetts.

Council member selection

Since 1984, the council has consisted of 13 members; four members elected at-large and nine members elected by district. All 13 seats are contested every two years. The preliminary election and general election are held in September and November, respectively, of odd years with winners starting their terms in January of even years. For example; a preliminary election was held in September 2017 for the November 2017 general election, with elected council members starting their terms in January 2018.
Historically, the makeup of the council has changed multiple times. Since 1910:

Council members by year

1822–1829

In November 1924, Boston voters approved replacing the 9-person City Council with a 22-person City Council. The first such election was held in November 1925, for terms starting in January 1926.
In November 1949, Boston voters approved changes to municipal elections, including replacing the 22-person City Council with a 9-person City Council. The first such election was held in November 1951, for terms starting in January 1952.
In December 1953, Michael H. Cantwell served the final week of Michael J. Ward's term, when the latter retired.

1960–1969

Starting with the November 1983 election the City Council consists of four at-large members and nine district representatives.

1990–1999

Following the death of Christopher A. Iannella in September 1992; Dapper O'Neil was selected as president, while Bruce Bolling served the remainder of Iannella's term, as Bolling had finished fifth in the general election for four at-large seats.
Following the resignation of Richard P. Iannella, who had been elected Register of Probate of Suffolk County, Stephen J. Murphy joined the council in February 1997 and served the balance of Iannella's term, as Murphy had finished fifth in the general election for four at-large seats.

2000–2009

Francis Roache, Brian Honan, and James M. Kelley did not complete their terms and were replaced by Felix D. Arroyo, Jerry P. McDermott, and Bill Linehan, respectively.

2010–2019

Both John M. Tobin Jr. and Chuck Turner did not complete their terms and were replaced by Matt O'Malley and Tito Jackson, respectively, through special elections.
Following Ayanna Pressley's election to the United States House of Representatives, she was replaced on the City Council by Althea Garrison in January 2019.

2020–2029