Finally, great news from Boston, as DFER's Ed Reformer of the Month, John Connolly, coasted to a Boston City Council victory on an ed reform platform, in a "historic partnership" with Ayanna Pressley, the first black woman to serve on the Council:

Boston City Councilor At-Large John R. Connolly reacts to win

At-large Boston City Council member John R. Connolly was among the six candidates to attend an editorial board meeting on Monday, Oct. 24 at GateHouse Media's Needham office to meet with Wicked Local editors and reporters.

Posted Nov 08, 2011 @ 10:20 PM

Roslindale/West Roxbury —

Boston City Councilor At-Large John R. Connolly is celebrating a strong re-election victory in today's city election.

Connolly was also thrilled about the overwhelming re-election of City Councilor At-Large Ayanna Pressley. In what many described as an historic partnership, Connolly and Pressley joined campaigns in October to highlight their shared vision of a Boston with great schools and healthy families. The joint campaign included over 25 joint campaign events (including 8 in Connolly's base of West Roxbury), two joint mail pieces, almost $10,000 in donations to Pressley from Connolly supporters, and dozens of joint appearances at public events. 

Connolly also took Pressley door-knocking with him in his home precinct in West Roxbury as well as the Roslindale precinct in which he was raised. Pressley made tremendous gains over her 2009 election results in Connolly's base of West Roxbury and Roslindale, in particular. For example, in Ward 20 (West Roxbury and Roslindale), Pressley ascended from a 5h place finish in 2009 to a second place finish in 2011.

Connolly also finished the campaign with approximately $100,000 remaining in his campaign war chest.

"I'm thankful to so many across the city who have given me the chance to keep working for great schools and safe, healthy neighborhoods. I'm overjoyed that voters wanted an Education Councilor because I've gone to City Hall each day doing my best to be a voice for improving our Boston Public Schools," Connolly said.

"I'm ecstatic that voters have returned Ayanna and me to the Council," Connolly said. "We campaigned together in every corner of the city and talked about her work for strong families and my work for great schools. I'm glad voters felt you cannot have one of us on the council without the other. Having her voice at the table is so critical to the work we do. I look forward to continuing our work together for great schools and healthy families."

Connolly also congratulated Felix Arroyo and Steve Murphy on their election as At-Large City Councilors. "I've enjoyed working with each of Felix and Steve in the past and I look forward to working with them in the upcoming term," said Connolly.