Michelle Wu Elected Boston City Council President

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At-Large Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu was elected unanimously as city council president by her peers on Monday.

The second-term city councilor had announced in late 2015 that she had enough votes from the council to be elected to the position. A 7-6 vote is needed to become the city council president and Wu had earned more than seven by today.

City Council President Michelle Wu, her son Blaise, and Mayor Marty Walsh.

City Council President Michelle Wu, her son Blaise, and Mayor Marty Walsh.

Initially, District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley had sought the city council presidency, but he was unable to secure enough votes prior to today and announced that he would support Wu.

Wu, 30, who recently moved to Roslindale, is the first Asian-American to be the Boston City Council president. She not only represents a younger demographic of the city, but she also has a young son who recently turned one, so she can relate to young families in the city.

“In this chamber, every debate is informed by our families’ lives and those of our constituents,” said Wu. “We don’t just think and talk about policy here, but feel the challenges and impacts.”

Wu has often spoken about wanting to bring transparency to government and would regularly send out weekly notes on the city council's weekly meetings through a newsletter. She also has championed small businesses and streamlining the permit process.

While Wu is not a new face, two new councilors were sworn in today. At-Large City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, 41, and District 4 City Councilor Andrea Campbell, 33.

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