Melvin H. King, one of Boston's most storied Black political figures, gave his support Monday night to acting Mayor Kim Janey's bid for a full term, passing a proverbial torch on the eve of Boston's historic 2021 preliminary election.
Janey's campaign announced the endorsement in an evening press release 10 hours before polls were set to open for the city's preliminary election. Tuesday's two top vote getters will face off in November's final election.
King, 92, a civil rights activist and former state representative, was the city's first person of color to break through in a preliminary race in 1983. He ran for the open seat when mayor Kevin White did not seek re-election.
Some predicted King would be Boston's first Black mayor, but King ultimately lost to Ray Flynn.
In a statement released by Janey's campaign, King pointed to his life's work "fighting for a Boston that is more equitable and just."
"I believe the person to lead that change is Mayor Kim Janey," King's statement continued, pointing to Janey's work on his historic 1983 campaign. "And I have seen her grow into a passionate advocate and leader for equity and excellence in our schools, for affordable housing for every family, for continuing to build a city to open the doors for the jobs and education opportunity, and for closing the wealth and opportunity gaps that still plague our city. She has done that in just five months as Mayor, and believe she can do so much more with four more years."
The endorsement came as thousands of Bostonians had already cast ballots for mayor via mail, drop box and in-person voting — another historic first this election.
It also comes as Janey, the race's de facto incumbent, struggles to fend off a challenge from the race's other Black woman candidate, City Councilor Andrea Campbell. According to recent public opinion polls, Janey and Campbell are fighting for a second place finish with Councilor Annissa Essaibi George.
Numerous polls show councilor Michelle Wu as the expected winner of preliminary voting.
King endorsed Marty Walsh in 2013, after Walsh won the preliminary election.
