Live updates: 2025 Massachusetts elections across the state

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At Roxbury’s Hibernian Hall, the Rev. Miniard Culpepper declared victory in the race to replace Tania Fernandes Anderson in District 7. The seat has gone unoccupied since July, leaving Bostonians in a district widely regarded as “the heart of Boston” without a specific voice on the City Council.

Culpepper, who finished the September preliminary race behind his opponent Said “Coach” Ahmed by less than 100 votes, gleefully described to supporters how Mayor Michelle Wu congratulated him on a phone call minutes before his remarks.

“She said you worked hard and you deserved it,” Culpepper said, recounting the phone call. “Then she said, ‘You won by over 500 votes,’” he said to applause.

As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, with 40% of the vote reported, unofficial Boston results show Culpepper leading Ahmed by about 200 votes.

“I want to say to all of those who vied for District 7’s seat that it was an honorable political contest,” he said, addressing the 11-candidate field of competitors. “We all know that nothing gets done in this community without collective effort, and I look forward to drawing on all the wisdom of all of the candidates that ran [in District 7]. And, believe me, there’s a lot of hard work ahead.”

The church leader and one-time candidate for state Senate said he intends to advocate for legislation that would allow him to be seated to the council before the typical January swearing-in.

“I’m going to talk to folks on Beacon Hill,” Culpepper said to reporters. “I would love to get to work in an official way a lot sooner. ... It would make sense, now that I’ve been elected, to let me get to work.”

Worcester Mayor Joe Petty may have won his eighth term Tuesday night. But the Worcester City Council will still have several new faces when it begins its next session.

According to unofficial city tallies, District 2 incumbent Candy Mero-Carlson lost to Rob Bilotta. And in District 5, Jose Rivera has declared victory against incumbent Etel Haxhiaj.

Meanwhile in District 3, where current Councilor George Russell didn’t seek reelection, John Fresolo defeated Robert Pezzella. And in District 1, Tony Economou beat Keith Linhares. Economou previously represented the district from 2011 through 2017, and will succeed Councilor Jenny Pacillo, who didn’t seek reelection.

Challengers were also successful in the at-large races. Gary Rosen will return to the City Council after a four-year hiatus. Satya Mitra also won a seat, while incumbent Donna Colorio lost hers. Khrystian King, Kate Toomey and Morris Bergman kept their at-large seats.

Local nonprofit leader Robert Sallese voted for some of the challengers. He said the council will benefit from fresh perspectives.

“[It’s] some new energy. People who are running, coming in fresh, have that energy,” he said. “Change is good. The only constant is change.”

Without competition of her own to focus on, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu turned her energy Tuesday to the national political moment and to contests down the ballot.

Wu addressed supporters at her Seaport election night party around 9:45 p.m., announcing the wins of her City Council allies Ruthzee Louijeune and Henry Santana before mentioning her own reelection in an uncontested race.

Wu said this year’s election was about “not just how we lead, but what we believe” and invoked the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution as she knocked the actions of the Trump administration.

“Whether we’re kicking out Redcoats or conducting lifesaving research, we get to work,” Wu said. “Threaten our schools, ban books and erase history, and we will throw open the doors to our cultural treasures, making museums and performances, knowledge and art free for every Boston student and their family. Attempt to take away housing, funding and food, and we won’t just see you in court — we’ll show you what it looks like when government actually functions.”

Katie Lannan GBH News

She pledged to use the four years of her second term to continue to fight “for our freedom, for our families, our friends and the future we know to be possible.”

“Right now, our city is being targeted because we refuse to stop doing what they say is impossible: take care of our people, take care of everyone,” Wu said. “Wannabe dictators don’t like seeing proof that democracy works.”

As of 10:45 p.m., with 34% of the vote reported, unofficial vote counts show incumbent at-large city councilors Erin Murphy, Louijeune, Julia Mejia and Santana in the lead to hold onto their seats. Frank Baker — a former Dorchester city councilor looking to retake a spot on the council — trails Santana by more than 2,000 votes.

Jake Wilson struck a notably conciliatory note when he took the stage a bit after 9 p.m. Tuesday to declare victory as the next mayor of Somerville. If the numbers hold, he will defeat Willie Burnley Jr, his fellow at-large city councilor, in one of Massachusetts’ marquee mayoral contests in 2025.

“I got a call a short while ago from Councilor Burnley,” Wilson said on a small stage at La Brasa bar and grill. “It was a gracious call — I want to thank him for taking the time to make that call, congratulating us on this win tonight.”

“I want to just say, it was an honor running in this race, running against Councilor Burnley,” Wilson added. “Councilor Burnley is a friend. Councilor Burnley is someone who I’ve enjoyed greatly serving alongside the last four years. He and his campaign really outlined some issues that are really important in this city.”

According to unofficial results from the city of Somerville, Wilson had received 11,185 votes compared to Burnley’s 9,054 as of about 10 p.m.

Demographically, Wilson and Burnley were a study in contrasts on the campaign trail. Wilson is a 48-year-old straight white man who’s married and has two daughters, while Burnley is 31, Black, queer and polyamorous. But the two candidates actually agreed on a large number of issues, including a pressing need for more affordable housing and a more effective approach to the homelessness and public drug-use problem plaguing the city.

Another area of strong agreement between Wilson and Burnley was the need for Somerville to push back aggressively against the Trump administration's deportation efforts. Somerville, a city of some 80,000 people, is home to a large immigrant population.

“We’re in East Somerville [at La Brasa], where we have really felt the impact of ICE in the community,” Wilson said after his speech. “So we’re talking about the federal government coming in here and abducting our residents. We’re talking about, on the budget side, the possible loss of federal funds. As a City Council, we’ve been united that we’re not interested in those funds if they come at the expense of sacrificing those values.”

Wilson and Burnley had advanced to Somerville’s final mayoral election at the expense of incumbent Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, who finished in third place in the preliminary election. Earlier in the campaign, both men had criticized Ballantyne for a lack of communication and transparency.

After declaring victory Tuesday, Wilson said the first step he would take when he’s sworn in as mayor in 2026 would be aimed at rectifying that perceived problem.

“We gotta solve a housing crisis, we have to make our streets safer, we gotta do something about a homelessness and substance abuse crisis,” Wilson said. “We gotta do something about rats. [But] it starts with opening and unlocking the mayor’s office door on Day 1.”

One of the biggest substantive differences between the two was their stance on a non-binding ballot question that would direct the city’s mayor and other political leaders to end all current city business and refrain from engaging in future business “with companies [that] engage in business that sustains Israel’s apartheid, genocide, and illegal occupation of Palestine.”

While Burnley championed the measure, Wilson said it was likely unenforceable as a matter of law and that he planned to vote “no.”

Unofficial results show the measure passing overwhelmingly, with 11,489 Somervillians voting “yes” and 7,920 voting “no.”

In Everett, Mayor Carlo DeMaria lost his bid for a seventh term. He conceded just over an hour after polls closed.

Robert Van Campen — a lawyer and current city council member — won by 678 votes, according to unofficial results from Everett's city clerk Sergio Cornelio. That’s a margin of victory of 54% to DeMaria’s 46% out of just over 8,000 votes in total.

“Tonight, the voters made it clear: it’s time to move forward. Change has arrived and it’s time to turn the page to the city’s next chapter,” Van Campen wrote in a statement to GBH News.

DeMaria arrived to applause from a few hundred supporters gathered in a brightly lit restaurant banquet room filled with red and white balloons.

“What a campaign we had,” he told them, later adding, “I'm sorry.”

DeMaria has been mayor of Everett for 18 years.

“We came up short, it happens. 18 years is a long time,” he said to cheers and applause, “I truly am excited for the next chapter of my life. I gotta be honest with you.”

The outgoing mayor said he planned to “govern until the last day” of his term and vowed to finalize the deal to bring a soccer stadium to the city as well as a commuter rail stop and pedestrian bridge to serve the stadium.

The Rev. Miniard Culpepper told supporters he’d secured a spot on Boston’s City Council, representing Roxbury, Dorchester, South End and Fenway.

He and Said “Coach” Ahmed were the two names on the ballot.

Brockton City Councilor Moises Rodrigues took the stage with “Eye of the Tiger” blaring in the background to declare victory and thank supporters.

A Cape Verdean immigrant, Rodrigues would be the city’s first Black mayor. Brockton has one of the country’s largest Cape Verdean populations.

If Rodrigues’ lead holds, he will defeat City Councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt.

Worcester Mayor Joe Petty declared victory Tuesday night for his eighth term leading New England’s second largest city.

Two other candidates, City Council Vice Chair Khrystian King and local business owner Owura Sarkodieh, were also on the ballot Tuesday.

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria has conceded the race in an upset. It appears City Councilor Robert Van Campen will take the corner office.

Liz Neisloss GBH News

At-large City Councilor Jake Wilson declared victory in the race to be the next mayor of Somerville.

He took the stage at his campaign’s watch party shortly after 9 p.m. Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin announced just minutes before that the other candidate, Willie Burnley Jr, had called Wilson to concede the race. Burnley did not immediately respond to requests from GBH News.

In the preliminary, Wilson captured 42% of the vote Tuesday to Burnley’s 34%, according to unofficial results.

Adam Reilly GBH News

The Worcester mayoral race pits incumbent Joe Petty against Worcester City Council Vice Chair Khrystian King and local business owner Owura Sarkodieh.

At King’s watch party Tuesday night at Cocktail Garden & Kitchen, folks started trickling in after polls closed at 8 p.m.

Magdelene Barjolo said she likes King’s chances. She touted his experience as a social worker, which she said makes him relatable and “for the people.”

“He has shown that he has that ability to connect with people on an interpersonal level,” Barjolo said. “It’s something that I don’t think many other politicians kind of have.”

Sam Turken GBH News

At 8:08 p.m., just after polls closed, a winded Rev. Miniard Culpepper ambled into the unusually quiet performance center at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury. He was greeted warmly by a handful of campaign supporters and volunteers, as well as state Sen. Nick Collins.

By 8:30, the crowd grew into several dozen as the campaign began serving food.

The reverend is hoping to beat out Said “Coach” Ahmed to fill the vacancy on Boston’s City Council left by Tania Fernandes Anderson, who resigned over the summer following a corruption scandal and criminal charges.

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Culpepper greets supporters at his campaign’s election night event.

Saraya Wintersmith / GBH News

People put out trays of election night food at the Rev. Miniard Culpepper’s event in Roxbury on Nov. 4, 2025.

Saraya Wintersmith / GBH News

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The race at the top of the ticket is quiet in Boston, but the speakers will be turned up loud at Mayor Michelle Wu's Election Night party.

After officially winning her uncontested race, Wu is set to address supporters Tuesday night at the Seaport restaurant and lounge Grace by Nia.

It’s a joint event with two of her allies on the City Council, Ruthzee Louijeune and Henry Santana. In the final stretch before polls closed, a live band started setting up on stage, and staff hung campaign signs for Wu and Louijeune along the walls.

Louijeune and Santana are hoping to retain their seats as at-large city councilors. They’re two of eight candidates who are vying for four spots. While Louijeune finished in a decisive first place in the preliminary race, Santana eked out a fourth-place finish, with a narrow lead over former councilor Frank Baker, who’s attempting a comeback.

Katie Lannan GBH News

Wu's cruise to reelection and her national profile as a foil to the Trump administration have spurred a fresh round of speculation this year about her political future.

A New York Magazine article this week named Wu one of “The 25 Young(ish) New Democrats to Watch,” describing her as an “Elizabeth Warren protégée” who “has fought back against ICE agents on the city's streets, been hauled in front of a congressional hearing on sanctuary cities seven weeks after giving birth, and been berated by the commander-in-chief.”

The mayor has indicated, though, that she plans on sticking around City Hall (where she’s a fan of the controversial Brutalist architecture) for at least a while longer. Appearing on Boston Public Radio last month, Wu said she intends to serve the full four years of her second term. Her pledge drew a round of applause from the audience.

As the clock strikes 8, polls are closed across Massachusetts.

While a few races, like Boston’s mayor, are a foregone conclusion, many others are in contention. Follow along as the results start to roll in.

Worcester’s mayor, city council and school committee members are all up for election Tuesday.

The stakes are high in New England’s second largest city: Over the next two years, Worcester leaders will likely navigate federal funding cuts, decide whether to create a police civilian review board and respond to record-high homelessness and housing prices, among other issues.

Three candidates want to take the mayor’s office this year.

Joseph Petty has been Worcester’s mayor and city council chairman for nearly 14 years. He views himself as progressive, but acknowledges that he often votes with the council’s more conservative members. The mayor says his moderation on issues helps him negotiate with people and build consensus. Like other incumbents up for election, he’s also argued that Worcester has boomed under his leadership. After losing residents throughout much of the last century, the postindustrial city’s population has grown about 14% since 2010.

Khrystian King has been a councilor since 2016 and consistently votes with the body’s more progressive wing. He supports creating a police civilian oversight board and says, if elected, he’d consider rent stabilization and first-time homebuyer programs to ensure Worcester remains affordable for residents. Like Petty, King also says he wants to upgrade school infrastructure.

The third mayoral candidate is local business owner Owura Sarkodieh, who’s never served in city government. Sarkodieh’s political views align with King’s on most fronts. Both candidates say that after over a decade with the same mayor, Worcester needs new leadership that’s accountable and will be more effective tackling the city’s rising cost of living.

Voter turnout is typically low in Worcester, with local elections like this one never topping 22% over the past 15 years.

Read more here.

Watch the three candidates debate here.

And see the full list of candidates on the 2025 Worcester ballot here.

Tuesday’s election will determine who represents the bulk of Roxbury. The neighborhood is contending with safety concerns around the area known as Mass. and Cass, the region’s unyielding epicenter of addiction and homelessness. The next councilor must also navigate persistent concerns about new development, including the controversial reconstruction of White Stadium in Franklin Park.

Rev. Miniard Culpepper and Said “Coach” Ahmed both advanced from a field of 11 after a recount confirmed them as the top two vote-getters in September’s preliminary election. Only 58 votes separated Ahmed’s 1,170 total votes from Culpepper’s 1,112.

Since advancing to the general election, Ahmed, a Boston Public Schools educator, and Culpepper, a local pastor and former government attorney, have both participated in community forums and promoted their campaigns on social media.

Ahmed has tried to relate to voters by emphasizing his experience as an immigrant, a youth running coach and a renter within the district. Culpepper has highlighted his experiences as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a native Bostonian who purchased and rehabbed the house where his grandparents once lived.

“While it is a competitive race, the top of the ticket is unopposed. So how do we increase participation when we see so much going on in national politics to where this race may not have a benefit, given that the focus is so much on what’s happening in Washington?” Christine Slaughter, associate professor at Boston University, said on GBH’s Under the Radar.

Courtesy of the Rev. Miniard Culpepper and Said “Coach” Ahmed’s campaigns

For residents, the lingering shadow of former Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s conviction and multiple ethical lapses while in office is also a concern.

Slaughter’s shifting focus to what might happen after ballots are cast.

“Are we able to hold our elected officials accountable, especially in a progressive city like Boston?” says Slaughter. “[While] I look forward to who wins on November 4, I think I’m most concerned about: How do they shepherd the district moving forward facing the new challenges that we’re facing?”

Read up on the candidates.

Ask the two candidates hoping to become the next mayor of Somerville what sets them apart, and you’ll get two starkly different answers.

At-large City Councilor Willie Burnley Jr. stresses that he’s a renter himself. He casts himself as an agent of big, substantive change at a moment when he says that’s exactly what Somerville needs. As Burnley put it: “This is not the time to pick a new mayor who’s going to tweak around edges. ... We need someone who’s going to fundamentally challenge a status quo that’s not working for working people.”

At-large City Councilor Jake Wilson, in contrast, says he has executive management experience from serving as Somerville Youth Soccer’s full-time volunteer president — experience that his opponent lacks. Wilson put it this way: “Both of us have some lofty goals. ... I’ll be a mayor who’s going to be able to implement my policy plans.”

But between the sniping and line-drawing, those “lofty goals” are often quite similar. Wilson and Burnley are both pushing progressive platforms for the 80,000-person city: Each wants to build bike lanes, and focus on supportive services instead of law enforcement for people in mental health crises and active addiction.

Wilson and Burnley finished first and second, respectively, in September’s preliminary mayoral election. Current mayor Katjana Ballantyne, who was first elected in 2021, finished third and did not advance to the final.

Read up on the two final candidates here.

Also on Somerville’s ballot: A non-binding question on whether the city should stop doing business with companies tied to Israel. (That’s one of the ways mayoral candidates Burnley and Wilson differ. Burnley supports the measure and says he would enact it; Wilson says it couldn’t be implemented under state law and he’s voting “no.”)

In the city of Everett, voters are deciding whether to give Mayor Carlo DeMaria a seventh term or elect current City Councilor Robert Van Campen to the position.

DeMaria has been Everett’s mayor for 18 years. Housing, school overcrowding and a new stadium are the big issues on voters' minds, but DeMaria’s also running under the shadow of a controversy. Earlier this year, investigators found he accepted $180,000 in improper bonus payments. Everett City Council demanded he return the money, and when he refused, councillors unanimously voted "no confidence" in his leadership. But the mayor continues to battle paying the money back.

Liz Neisloss GBH News

After casting his own ballot Tuesday morning at City Hall, challenger Van Campen said Everett’s ready for change.

“It's about restoring trust, accountability, transparency to a city hall that has lost touch with the people it's intended to serve,” Van Campen said.

Mayor DeMaria didn’t respond to requests for comment.

This election, there was heavy early voting in Everett — and no one's ready to count DeMaria out yet.

Rise and shine! The polls are open almost everywhere from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for (municipal) Election Day in Massachusetts.

There are no statewide races on the ballot. But voters in 55 cities and towns will be picking their local representatives, from their mayor to their city councilor to their school committee members.

If you got a mail-in ballot but haven’t sent it in yet, it’s best to drop the ballot off directly at your polling place so that it’s counted.

If you’re not registered to vote yet, you are ineligible to vote in your municipal race this year. Massachusetts does not allow same-day registration, and the deadline was last month.

GBH News will be watching a few key races here in Massachusetts.

No matter who wins, Somerville will get a new mayor and Brockton will have its first mayor of color. Boston’s District 7 will have a new councilor after former Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson resigned, and former District 3 Councilor Frank Baker is trying to make a comeback as an at-large councilor.

Worcester’s mayor Joe Petty is facing two challengers after 14 years in office — a tenure beat by Everett’s mayor Carlo DeMaria, who hopes to outmatch a current Everett city councilor on the ballot after 18 years in his post.