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