BOISE, Idaho — **Editor's Note: Election results will be updated when the polls close and votes are tallied.
Lauren McLean will be Boise mayor once again.
McLean, the incumbent, was leading challenger and former police chief Mike Masterson 56.8% to 42%, according to preliminary results from Tuesday’s election. The results were as of Idaho Press' print deadline and reflected 74 of 106 precincts reported in Boise.
Masterson also conceded the race late in the evening, all but ensuring McLean's return to office for a second term.
"Thank you Boise," McLean said in a victory speech at Lounge at the End of the Universe, to applause from the crowd. "We have a lot of work to do and I am so excited to do it."
The result, a loss for Boise’s old guard, indicated that McLean received enough support from Boise voters on changes like increasing affordable housing and the zoning code rewrite.
"I'm pleased. We worked really hard," McLean said on Tuesday night at her watch party. "I'm optimistic."
McLean, a Massachusetts native who moved to Boise over 20 years ago, out-fundraised Masterson in the city of Boise itself - collecting over $230,000 from Boiseans compared to Masterson’s $190,000, as of Monday morning.
On Tuesday night, she walked through a cheering crowd at her watch party, taking a selfie with Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, hugging her supporters and sporting an "I voted" sticker on her blazer.
Masterson raised more money from companies, which include PACs, than McLean did. However, about half of both candidates' funding from companies came from businesses or PACs located in Boise.
At his watch party, Masterson chatted with supporters clustered around circular tables. Blue Masterson shirts were piled on a table in the corner. Later that night, he told the Idaho Press he was still monitoring the results.
"I will concede it's not looking good," Masterson said by phone. "I laid out a platform and a vision that was a lot different than the current mayor. I gave the voters an option and I’m happy with that. I’m happy if I turn out to be mayor, I’m happy if I turn out to resume my retired life and spend time with my grandkids and do other projects."
McLean also beat candidates Joe Evans and Aaron Reis. Neither appeared to have raised any money, as of Monday afternoon.
McLean was elected in a “shockwave” runoff in 2019, beating former mayor Dave Bieter. Bieter endorsed Masterson in this election. Masterson has criticized McLean's handling of the Boise Police Department as well as the Office of Police Accountability.
Early in her tenure, McLean was blindsided almost immediately with the COVID-19 pandemic. She has since focused on efforts such as increasing affordable housing while in office and is involved with an effort to bring back passenger rail.
Masterson spent 40 years in policing. He led the Boise Police Department, ultimately retiring in 2015. He later briefly served as interim chief.
For full election results, click >> HERE <<
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