1866 Boston mayoral election

The Boston mayoral election of 1866 saw the election of Republican Party nominee Otis Norcross.

The election saw a significant role played by the city's African American electorate, who formed an electoral partnership for the elections with this city's Democratic Party.

Role of African American voters
The election saw a significant role by African American voters, who largely supported the city's Democratic ticket. In the November elections that preceded it, Massachusetts became first state in New England to elect African American state legislators, including representing part of Boston. Boston Democrats and Irish American voters formed a partnership with the city's African American electorate for the December municipal elections, with African American voters voting for Democrats, and Democrats and Irish American Voters backing the candidacy of an African American candidate for the Boston Common Council in the same area of Boston that had elected an African American state legislator the month prior. This candidate came close to joining the Common Council, tying in the December 10 vote for the seat he was seeking. A special election was held later that month to determine the holder of the seat, which the he lost.

Result
After what was described to be a quiet election, Republican nominee Otis Norcross won by a sizable margin. The Republican ticket was also successful in winning all seats in the coinciding election to the Boston Board of Aldermen.