Tough Time for Incumbent Mayors

(Disclosure: I know several of these folks professionally.)

Boston Mayor Menino looks like the outlier among his peers after his strong showing in the preliminary election.

In Fall River, incumbent Robert Correia finished third and won’t make it to the general election.

Several other mayors fared a bit better — finishing second but making it into the general election. Brockton’s Mayor Harrington, Lynn’s Mayor Clancy, Pittsfield’s Mayor Ruberto, and Westfield’s Mayor Boulanger all survived second place finishes.

But I can’t recall a period when more incumbents faced such stiff challenges.