Best of Boston

1989 Best Politician, State

A three-way tie. House Speaker George Keverian, Boston mayor Ray Flynn, and Senate president Billy Bulger.

Keverian for getting the Duke’s wormy 1988 budget and the universal-health-care package through the legislature in time for the Democratic convention. Flynn for the wisdom he showed in announcing he was not running for governor—even if he had to announce it twice and even though he’ll probably change his mind. And Bulger “for getting away with it yet again,” said one admiring panelist.