The Boston mayoral election of 1914 occurred on Tuesday, January 13, 1914.

James Michael Curley James Michael Curley (November 20, 1874 – November 12, 1958) was an American Democratic politician from Boston, Massachusetts. He served four terms as mayor of Boston. He also served a single term as governor of Massachusetts, characterized ...

, member of the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...

, was elected

Mayor of Boston The mayor of Boston is the head of the municipal government in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston has a mayor–council government. Boston's mayoral elections are nonpartisan (as are all municipal elections in Boston), and elect a mayor to a four- ...

for the first time, defeating Thomas J. Kenny, president of the

Boston City Council The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councillors are elected to two-year terms and there is no ...

. Incumbent mayor

John F. Fitzgerald John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald (February 11, 1863 – October 2, 1950) was an American Democratic politician from Boston, Massachusetts. He served as a U.S. Representative and Mayor of Boston. He also made unsuccessful runs for the United ...

withdrew in December, citing illness; in actuality, Curley and attorney

Daniel H. Coakley Daniel Henry Coakley (December 10, 1865 – September 18, 1952) was an American Democratic Party (United States), Democratic politician and attorney from Massachusetts. He was a key figure in early 20th century Boston politics, as an ally Distri ...

forced Fitzgerald from the race after learning of his indiscretions with a

cigarette girl In Europe and the United States, a cigarette girl is a person who sells or provides cigarettes from a tray held by a neck strap. They may also carry cigars and other items like candy, snacks, and chewing gum on their trays. Uniform The most ...

, Elizabeth "Toodles" Ryan. Curley was inaugurated as mayor on Monday, February 2, and intended to continue also serving in Congress. However, on February 25, after political pressure mounted to unseat him, Curley announced his resignation from Congress, retroactive to February 4. This was the last January-scheduled general election for Mayor of Boston; the next mayoral election was held in December 1917.

Candidates

, member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1913 * Thomas J. Kenny, president of the Boston City Council, member of the Council since 1910 ;Withdrew *

, Mayor of Boston since 1910, prior Mayor of Boston (1906–1908), former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1895–1901) and the

Massachusetts Senate The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the st ...

(1892–1894) * John A. Keliher, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1903–11) and the Massachusetts Senate (1899–1900) * John R. Murphy, former member of the Massachusetts Senate (1886 – 1886) and the

Massachusetts House of Representatives The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from 14 counties each divided into single-member ...

(1883–1885) *

Andrew James Peters Andrew James Peters (April 3, 1872 – June 26, 1938) was an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives and was the 42nd Mayor of Boston. Early years Peters was born on April 3, 1872, in Jamaica Plain, a neigh ...

, member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1907 ;Other * Michael J. Fitzgerald, Barber; The Boston Globe on 13 Nov 1913, Thu • Page 5 reported the practical joke played on Michael J. Fitzgerald in entering his name for candidacy actually was gaining support with thousands of signatures, labor organizations offering assistance and prominent politicians willing to put "a strong machine" behind him. 10 days later, 23 Nov 1913, Sun • Page 2 The Boston Globe published Michael Fitzgerald expressing his gratitude for the many who signed for his nomination but declined running for office. The post ended with " Citizens, you may select John F. but not Michael J. Fitzgerald to kick to a frazzle the many variegated velours that are tossed in the ring of the coming municipal contest." * Ernest E. Smith, member of the Boston City Council since 1911; insufficient signatures for nomination

Candidates

Results

See also

References

Further reading