Thomas Menino's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Thomas Menino. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Thomas Menino was a prominent American politician who served as the Mayor of Boston from 1993 to 2014, becoming the city's longest-serving mayor. He assumed office in 1993 after serving as acting mayor following Raymond Flynn's resignation. Prior to his mayoral tenure, Menino was an active member of the Boston City Council, eventually becoming its president in 1993. His lengthy service as mayor left a lasting impact on the city of Boston.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 1983: Elected Boston City Councilor

In November 1983, Thomas Menino was elected as a Boston city councilor for the newly created District 5, winning with 75 percent of the vote against Richard E. Kenney. He also endorsed Raymond Flynn for mayor.

November 1985: Re-elected Boston City Councilor

In November 1985, Thomas Menino was re-elected as a Boston City Councilor, running unopposed.

November 1989: Re-elected Boston City Councilor

In November 1989, Thomas Menino was re-elected as a Boston City Councilor, running unopposed.

November 1991: Re-elected Boston City Councilor

In November 1991, Thomas Menino was re-elected as a Boston City Councilor, capturing 82 percent of the vote.

July 12, 1993: Menino Became Acting Mayor

On July 12, 1993, Thomas Menino became acting Mayor of Boston upon Raymond Flynn's resignation. He was the first Italian American to lead the city.

1993: Start of Decreasing Crime

During Menino's tenure, crime in Boston fell to record lows. In 1993, Boston's violent crime rate was 1,957.7.

1993: Menino Elected Mayor of Boston

In 1993, Thomas Menino was elected mayor of Boston, after serving as acting mayor. He had previously served as the president of the City Council in 1993.

1993: President of the Boston City Council

In 1993, Thomas Menino was voted by his fellow councilors to serve as the president of the Boston City Council.

1993: Menino Wins Mayoral Election

In 1993, Thomas Menino won the Boston mayoral election, becoming the city's first non-Irish American mayor since the Great Depression.

1997: Re-elected Mayor

In 1997, Thomas Menino was re-elected as mayor of Boston, running formally unopposed after no challenger managed to collect enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

2001: Named Public Official of the Year

In 2001, Governing magazine named Mayor Menino Public "Official of the Year" for effective neighborhood development in Boston.

2001: Mayoral Election Victory

In the 2001 mayoral general election, Thomas Menino faced Peggy Davis-Mullen and won with 76.06% of the vote, after winning 73.37% of the vote in the primary election.

2003: Operation Ceasefire Award

In 2003, the Operation Ceasefire program, which Menino supported and is credited with decreasing homicide rates, received the United States Department of Justice's "Outstanding Comprehensive Strategic Plan Award".

2005: Won Mayoral Election

In 2005, Thomas Menino won 67.52% of the vote against Maura Hennigan in the mayoral election. Despite a negative campaign from Henigan, Menino largely stayed above the fray.

2008: City's Strong Commercial Real Estate Market

At the end of Menino's tenure, in 2012, the city was undergoing a construction boom, with Moody's Investor Service crediting the city as having "the strongest commercial real estate market in the country since the 2008 recession".

2008: Boston ranked third-greenest city

In 2008, Boston was ranked as the third-greenest city in the United States by Popular Science, due to initiatives around planting trees, recycling, increasing solar power, and green building zoning.

2009: Elected to a Fifth Term as Mayor

In 2009, Thomas Menino was elected to a fifth term as mayor of Boston.

2009: Mayoral Election Victory

In the 2009 general election, Thomas Menino faced Michael F. Flaherty after Sam Yoon and Kevin McCrea were eliminated in the nonpartisan primary. Menino won 57.27% of the vote in the general election.