BOSTON — Charles Yancey, the longest-serving Boston city councilor, and veteran at-large member Stephen J. Murphy lost their seats to newcomers Andrea Campbell and Annissa Essaibi George in municipal elections on Tuesday that brought voters to the polls in the Hub and more than 50 other communities statewide.
Yancey, first elected in 1983, has often beat back challengers but this year his opponent showed early signs of strength, handily beating the 66-year-old District Four councilor as well as other candidates. Campbell defeated Yancey by a 3-2 margin, unofficial results show.
San Francisco voters got the chance Tuesday to rein in Airbnb and similar online services that have pressured housing costs and siphoned business from hotels around the nation, as a ballot measure in the city by the bay sought to limit short-term residential rentals.
The outcome could influence debate in other areas, including New York City and Massachusetts, where measures are also pending to put the brakes on the popular services.
