Stephen Murphy

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Number Crunching

I've got a little analysis of yesterday's Boston City Council elections, running in this week's issue, that should be online later today. But meanwhile, here...
By David S. Bernstein | November 09, 2011

For Boston City Council

Boston city councilors enjoy relatively high political profiles, but in reality they labor under the tight constraints of a strong-mayor system.
Re-elect Arroyo, Connolly, Murphy, and Pressley. Vote for Frank, Lee, and Jackson.
By EDITORIAL | October 28, 2011

At-Large And In Charge

John "JC Pennies" Connolly was the top fundraiser of the at-large Boston City Council field, leaving him with nearly a quarter-million on hand heading into...
By David S. Bernstein | October 05, 2011

Q&A #7: At-Large Looms Large

"Anonymous" asks via stealthy, identity-masking email: What's your take on the at-large race? Clearly, Connolly has the money and Arroyo appears to be strong in that...
By David S. Bernstein | September 23, 2011

Connolly & The Small Fry

As we turn the corner from Labor Day to the two-month home stretch of the Boston City Council campaign, John "JC Penny" Connolly remains way...
By David S. Bernstein | September 06, 2011

Connolly Keeps Rolling

Boston City Councilor John Connolly banks so much coin, I'm going to start calling him J.C. Pennies. Here is the reported cash-on-hand for the other...
By David S. Bernstein | August 03, 2011

Lobbyist $$$ In Boston City Council

Boston city government does not register lobbyists, and state-registered lobbyists may or may not have any business before the Boston City Council. Still, wouldn't you...
By David S. Bernstein | July 20, 2011

Q&A #3: At-Large City Council

Bundling a few questions on the topic -- "Jim-C" asks: Predictions: Order of finish in Boston City Council At-Large race in November? "BeantownBill" asks: What...
By David S. Bernstein | July 01, 2011

Boston At-Large Council Forum

Last night I was honored to moderate a Ward 5 Democrats forum for the candidates for the four at-large city council seats -- the first...
By David S. Bernstein | June 22, 2011

New In The Phoenix -- Low-Profile Council Race

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- in print tomorrow, online now -- I look at the 2011 Boston City Council election, now...
By David S. Bernstein | June 08, 2011

Flaherty Jumps In

Local political reporters rejoice: what could have been the sleepiest election season in ages will instead be a fun-filled bloodbath. That's right, Michael Flaherty has...
By David S. Bernstein | May 08, 2011

Scotto Has The Love, And Other Items

--Several friends of Talking Politics said recently that they were phone-polled about Scott Brown and potential 2012 Senate match-ups. Looks like that was the work...
By David S. Bernstein | March 31, 2011

Murph Backs Ayanna

Boston City Council President Stephen Murphy will support Ayanna Pressley in her bid for re-election this year, even -- or especially -- if Michael Flaherty...
By David S. Bernstein | March 21, 2011

Q&A #1: Michael Flaherty Returns?

"Jim C" asks: Will Michael Flaherty jump back in and run for Councilor at Large? If he does will he win? Who would lose assuming...
By David S. Bernstein | January 21, 2011

Swearing-In Week

Oh, what an exciting week this is for those who enjoy the arcane rituals and traditions of the peaceful transfer of power in the world's...
By David S. Bernstein | January 05, 2011

My Year In Tweets

It turns out, you can be pretty snarky in 140 characters. I've been on Twitter for a couple of years now (follow me at twitter.com/dbernstein),...
By David S. Bernstein | December 28, 2010

Inside The Insider Question

Over the course of the year I have occasionally remarked that it's typical of Massachusetts Democrats that, in a year where voters are clearly angry...
By David S. Bernstein | September 01, 2010

Boston pols bail on Bank of America

In this time of political stridency, where everything is either red or blue, Boston City Councilors have found a potential purple issue that everyone can stand behind, be they radical lefties or Fox News worshippers.
Locovore Banking Dept.
By CHRIS FARAONE | June 11, 2010

Q&A #1: Glodis At The MassDemCon

"Boston Bertie" asks: What happened to Guy Glodis at the Democratic State Convention. He seemed to spend a lot of resources to win the party's...
By David S. Bernstein | June 09, 2010

Boston tucks away a $125 million windfall

As debate continues over the city’s finances — and whether the city of Boston can afford firefighters’ raises, branch libraries, community-center staffing, and other costs in tight times — the city is planning to quietly tuck away a one-time windfall of
More for Moneybags?
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | May 21, 2010

Murph’s Last Grasp?

The ever-restless Stephen Murphy is at it again, running anew for state treasurer — just a few months after voters re-elected him to the Boston City Council.
Can Stephen Murphy rally his troops one last time, or is this stab at higher office his last?
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | March 26, 2010

New In The Phoenix -- Murph's Last Grasp?

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- in print tomorrow, online now -- I write a two-part column on Boston politics.In the first...
By David S. Bernstein | March 24, 2010

Among The Somerville Dems

Somerville's seven Ward Democratic Party Committees held their caucuses last night, to elect delegates to the state convention. All other committees aren't allowed to start...
By David S. Bernstein | February 09, 2010

Q&A #3 -- Will Murph Run?

"John" asks: What is Boston City Councilor Stephen Murrphy going to do? Is he in for Treasurer, Auditor, or nothing? I think he's looking at...
By David S. Bernstein | January 22, 2010

For Mayor: Vote Flaherty + Yoon

Boston’s mayoral candidates are running campaigns that are variations on a theme.
Boston District City Council: Henriquez, Ross, ciommo, LaMattina
By EDITORIAL | October 30, 2009

For city council

When Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Sam Yoon declared their candidacies for mayor many months ago, the duo opened up what is normally a very narrow field for at-large Council candidates.
Boston At-Large: Connolly, Murphy, Pressley, Arroyo
By EDITORIAL | October 23, 2009

Q&A #5 -- City Election Predictions

"Ed" asks via email: Give us your predictions for the mayoral final (with percentages) and the order the At-Large candidates will finish. Menino 54% Flaherty...
By David S. Bernstein | October 02, 2009

Final four?

Some of Boston's savviest political insiders were confident of one thing going into last week's preliminary election: the top four finishers in the at-large City Council race would not be the same quartet to actually win those four seats in November.
The City Council preliminary is seldom a preview of the finish. But this time, it just might be.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | October 02, 2009

New In The Phoenix -- At-Large Final Four

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- in print tomorrow, online now -- I analyze the at-large Boston City Council race coming out...
By David S. Bernstein | September 30, 2009

Giant shadow

One striking aspect of the Kennedy tributes was the focus on the help he and his office provided for ordinary individuals in Massachusetts — all those things that fall under the category of "constituent services."
Though he won't be on the ballot, Ted Kennedy's influence will be keenly felt in the special election to replace him. Plus, the lack of a GOP candidate, and the Kennedy effect on Boston's city elections.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 04, 2009

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