The Relationship of the Press to the Boston Mayoralty Elections of 1967
Abstract
On June 6, 1967 Mayor John Collins of Boston announced
his intention to refrain from seeking re-election by refusing
to have his name entered in Boston's unique non-partisan
preliminary election. This surprise announcement sparked
the entry of twenty-six candidates, ten of whom actively
sought the nomination throughout the almost four months which
remained before the September 26 primary.
The factor which made this election a focal point of national attention during the entire period of the campaign
was the candidacy of school committeewoman Louise Day Hicks
of South Boston. As I shall attempt to illustrate, her
candidacy, her platform and perhaps more significantly her
personality endeared her to many and alienated her from more.
Central to these processes of endearment and alienation were
the attitudes of the national as well as of the local press
media.
My purpose in exploring the Hicks phehomenon was,
therefore, to examine the possibility of a relationship
between the written press and the original victory and the
eventual defeat of Mrs. Hicks. Consequently, I shall not
devote space to remarks about those candidates who were
obviously "losers" from the start. My research, and therefore
this exposition has been more concerned with the five
most prominent candidates for the office of Mayor of Boston,
and with the articles written for and about these candidates.
Most important, it has been my attempt to place my research
and findings within the context of a theoretical framework
as outlined in the concluding pages of the study. If you are not a current K College student, faculty, or staff member, email dspace@kzoo.edu to request access to this SIP.