For the first time in the history of the city of Boston (Massachusetts), a Haitian woman of origin is elected city councilor at large.
During the local elections held on Tuesday, November 2, the lawyer Ruthzee Louijeune came in third position behind Michael Flaherty and Julia Mejia with 50,754 votes (15.13%) against 59,114 (17.63%) for Mr. Flaherty and 57,934 (17.28%) ) for Mejia. Candidate Erin Murphy came in fourth with 40.650 (12.12%) against 39.714 (11.84%) for David Halbert, according to the partial results published by the online agency Reuters.
Four candidates will be elected for the post of general municipal councilor.
Ruthzee Louijeune had benefited from the support of several high-level personalities including Senator Elizabeth Warren who was also her professor at the law school at Harvard University. Many leaders in the community had also given their support to the very brilliant lawyer of Haitian origin.
This is a historic victory for Ms. Louijeune who is the first Haitian of origin to be elected to this important post in the city of Boston.
General city councilors are extremely important to the functioning of the city of Boston. They participate with the mayor in decision-making for the city.
In the other race to fill the post of mayor of the city of Boston, the candidate Michelle Wu won largely at the expense of Anaissa Assaibi George with 85,798 or 63.6% of the vote against 40,019 (36.4%) for Mrs. George.
With this victory, Michelle Wu becomes the first woman to be elected mayor of Boston. She is also the first Asian of origin to reach the highest office in the city of Boston.
Lawyer by profession, Michelle Wu is the daughter of two immigrants from Taiwan. Like Ruthzee Louijeune, she was supported body and soul by the very powerful Senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren.
A few minutes after candidate Anaissa Essaibi George’s concession, Senator Elizabeth Warren called Michelle Wu to congratulate her.
Madame Warren also posted a tweet to congratulate her former student on her victory. ”Michelle is family. From teaching him in law school, to working together for my first Senate race, to supporting his campaigns, I have seen his positive energy, kind heart and ability to make big changes for Boston.
She will be a great mayor. Congratulations”. tweeted the senator.