1979 Boston mayoral election

The Boston mayoral election of 1979 occurred on Tuesday, November 6, 1979, between Mayor Kevin White and state senator Joseph F. Timilty. This was the second election in a row between White and Timilty. White once again defeated Timilty and was elected to a fourth term.

1979 Boston mayoral election

← 1975 November 6, 1979 1983 →

Candidate Kevin White Joseph F. Timilty Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 78,048 64,269 Percentage 54.82% 45.14%

Results by ward White:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Timilty:      50–60%      70–80%

Mayor before election Kevin White Elected mayor Kevin White

The nonpartisan municipal preliminary election was held on September 25, 1979.

Candidates

• Joseph F. Timilty, member of the Massachusetts Senate since 1972. Member of the Boston City Council from 1967 to 1971.
• Kevin White, Mayor of Boston since 1968, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth from 1961 to 1967.

Candidates eliminated in preliminary

• Luis F. Castro, member of the Socialist Workers Party.
• David Finnegan, member of the Boston School Committee since 1975.
• Mel King, Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1973.
• Laurence R. Sherman, member of the U.S. Labor Party.

Results

Candidates	Preliminary Election[1]		General Election[2]
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Kevin White (incumbent)	50,272	42.39	78,048	54.82
Joseph F. Timilty	33,026	27.85	64,269	45.14
Mel King	17,490	14.75
David Finnegan	17,306	14.59
Laurence R. Sherman	297	0.25
Luis F. Castro	199	0.17

See also

• List of mayors of Boston, Massachusetts

References

1. Annual Report of the Election Department. Boston [Election Dept.] 1980. p. 36.
2. Annual Report of the Election Department. Boston [Election Dept.] 1980. p. 82.