{{Short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = John Barros | image = File:John Barros 2013 (1).jpg | caption = Barros in 2013 | office = Boston Chief of Economic Development | 1blankname = Mayor | 1namedata = Marty Walsh | term_start = February 2014 | term_end = February 2021 | predecessor = ''Office established'' | successor = Segun Idowu<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeCosta-Klipa |first1=Nik |title=Mayor Michelle Wu appoints Segun Idowu as chief of the renamed economic opportunity department |url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2021/11/19/mayor-michelle-wu-appoints-segun-idowu-economic-opportunity-chief/ |website=Boston.com |access-date=September 13, 2025 |date=November 19, 2021}}</ref><br>Midori Morikawa (interim)<ref>{{cite web |title=Midori Morikawa |url=https://d8-stg.boston.gov/departments/economic-development/midori-morikawa |website=Boston.gov |access-date=8 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> | office1 = Member of the Boston School Committee | term_start1 = 2010 | term_end1 = 2013 | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1973}} | birth_place = Roxbury, Boston Massachusetts, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | relations = | children = | Also Known As = | alma_mater = Dartmouth College<br>Tufts University | occupation = | profession = Businessman<br />Civic Organizer | signature = | website = | footnotes = }}
'''John F. Barros''' (born 1973) is an American politician, businessman, and civic organizer who was formerly the chief of economic development for the City of Boston. He also served as the executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.<ref name=dsni>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsni.org/users/john-barros |title=John Barros |publisher=DSNI |date= |accessdate=2013-08-23 |archive-date=2012-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117131216/http://www.dsni.org/users/john-barros |url-status=live }}</ref> He unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Boston in 2013 and 2021. He is currently the managing principal for the Boston office of the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.
== Early years and education == John Barros is the son of immigrant parents from the Cape Verde Islands.<ref name="launch">{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Andrew|date=2013-04-26|title=John F. Barros launches mayoral campaign and vows an inclusive City Hall - Politics|url=http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/25/john-barros-launches-mayoral-campaign-and-vows-inclusive-city-hall/f2hjtxntgVhLRg9hQ16b5L/story.html|url-status=live|publisher=The Boston Globe|accessdate=2013-08-23|archive-date=2013-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828042838/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/25/john-barros-launches-mayoral-campaign-and-vows-inclusive-city-hall/f2hjtxntgVhLRg9hQ16b5L/story.html}}</ref> His father came to Cape Cod in the 1950s to work in the cranberry bogs. Barros's parents later moved to Boston, raising John and his four siblings in the Boston neighborhood of Roxbury. He attended public school until his mid teens when he entered Boston College High school. After completing his education at BC High, Barros then went on to attend Dartmouth College in Hanover New Hampshire.<ref name=right>{{cite web|author=D'12 |url=http://thedartmouth.com/2013/05/15/news/mayor |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130818225800/http://thedartmouth.com/2013/05/15/news/mayor |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2013 |title=Barros '96 throws hat in race for Boston mayor |publisher=TheDartmouth.com |date=2013-05-15 |accessdate=2013-08-23}}</ref> At Dartmouth, John majored in Economics and African American studies.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Barros |url=https://centerforneweconomics.org/people/john-barros/ |website=Schumacher Center for New Economics |access-date=13 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713213749/https://centerforneweconomics.org/people/john-barros/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On campus he performed in the Black Underground Theater Association, served as president of the African-American Society and was an active member of the Senior Honor Society, Casque and Gauntlet (C&G).<ref name=right/> John is a candidate for a master's degree in Public Policy at Tufts University.<ref name=dsni/>
Barros first became involved in the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) at the age of fourteen.<ref>{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Alison |title=John Barros Has Been 'Hooked' on Trying to Improve Boston Neighborhoods Since He Was 14 |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/john-barros-has-been-hooked-on-trying-to-improve-boston-neighborhoods-since-he-was-14/2478296/ |website=NBC Boston |access-date=8 September 2021 |date=27 August 2021}}</ref> By the age of seventeen, he was serving on its board.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shelar |first1=Rachel |title=Development Without Displacement: What We Can Learn from Boston |url=https://economyleague.org/providing-insight/regional-direction/2014/10/27/development-without-displacement-what-we-can-learn-from-boston-s-dudley-neighborhood |website=Economy League of Greater Philadelphia |access-date=8 September 2021 |language=en |date=7 October 2014}}</ref> He was the first youth elected to its board.<ref name="Irons1"/> As a board member of the DSNI, he was featured in the 1996 documentary "Holding Ground", which focused on the DSNI.<ref>{{cite web |title=Holding Ground, final script |url=https://www.newday.com/sites/default/files/transcripts/Holding%20Ground%2C%20transcript%2C%2058%20min.pdf |website=www.newday.com/ |access-date=10 October 2021 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210205023/https://www.newday.com/sites/default/files/transcripts/Holding%20Ground%2C%20transcript%2C%2058%20min.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Early career== In 1996 Barros began working as executive liability underwriter for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies in New York City.<ref name="kstory">{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Andrew|date=2013-04-25|title=John Barros to announce a bid for mayor of Boston - Metro|url=http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/24/john-barros-announce-bid-for-mayor-boston/fQWBgoX1XtvKV346zPla1K/story.html|url-status=live|publisher=The Boston Globe|accessdate=2013-08-23|archive-date=2021-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718222340/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/24/john-barros-announce-bid-for-mayor-boston/fQWBgoX1XtvKV346zPla1K/story.html}}</ref><ref name="2021questionaire"/><ref name="Irons1">{{cite web |last1=Irons |first1=Meghan E. |title=Teenage community activism helped shape Boston mayoral candidate John Barros into a 'bridge-builder' - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/02/metro/teenage-community-activism-helped-shape-boston-mayoral-candidate-john-barros-into-bridge-builder/ |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=10 October 2021 |date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> He worked there through 1999.<ref name="2021questionaire"/> He worked with dot-com startups such as Priceline.com.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}
In 1999, he returned to Boston to assume the position of executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) in 1999.<ref name="2021questionaire">{{cite web |title=2021 CANDIDATE QUE?STIONNAIRE? |url=https://www.dotnews.com/files/John%20Barros%202021%20Dorchester%20Reporter%20questionnaire%202021.pdf |website=Dorchester REporter |access-date=10 October 2021 |date=2021}}</ref><ref name=dsni/> During his time working as executive director, Barros was featured in the 2012 documentary "Gaining Ground", another documentary which focused on the DNSI.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaining Ground FINAL CONFORMED & ANNOTATED SCRIPT 3/20/12 |url=https://www.newday.com/sites/default/files/transcripts/GG%20FINAL%20SCRIPT%203-20-12_with%20credits.pdf |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=March 20, 2012}}</ref> He quit his position with the DSNI in order to launch a 2013 campaign for mayor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Columnist |first1=Adrian Walker Globe |title=John Barros's message gains traction - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/09/10/with-two-weeks-mayoral-candidate-john-barros-looking-for-voters-willing-buck-conventional-expectations/EjZuYr7d1wGA9QFvMGit4N/story.html |website=Boston Globe |access-date=11 September 2021 |date=September 11, 2013}}</ref>
In addition to his work with the DSNI, from 2000 through 2006 he was the director of Cape Verdean Community UNIDO.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sieber |first1=Tim |title=Working Across Difference to Build Urban Community, Democracy, and Immigrant Integration |url=https://www.academia.edu/72505431 |access-date=16 April 2023 |date=1 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="DR1">{{cite web |title=2021 Candidate Questionnaire |url=https://www.dotnews.com/files/John%20Barros%202021%20Dorchester%20Reporter%20questionnaire%202021.pdf |website=Dorchester Reporter |access-date=16 April 2023}}</ref> In 2002, Barros and his brothers opened a restaurant in Boston (Restaurante Cesaria) in co-ownership with each other. The restaurant was still operating under their co-ownership as of 2021.<ref name=kstory/<ref name="2021questionaire"/> He additionally was a 2007 Barr Foundation Fellow,<ref>{{cite web |title=Barr Foundation fellows - Past and Present |url=https://archive.boston.com/business/gallery/barrfoundationfellows?pg=19 |website=Boston.com |access-date=16 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=John Barros |url=https://www.barrfoundation.org/bios/john-barros |website=Barr Foundation |access-date=13 July 2021 |language=en |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713213748/https://www.barrfoundation.org/bios/john-barros |url-status=live }}</ref> and worked on Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.<ref name="Dumcius1">{{cite web |last1=Dumcius |first1=Gintautas |title=Barros on the Trail: 'It Really Is About Human Contact' |url=https://www.dotnews.com/2013/barros-trail-it-really-about-human-contact |website=Dorchester Reporter |access-date=14 September 2021 |language=en |date=July 30, 2013}}</ref>
In January 2010, Barros was appointed by Mayor Tom Menino to a seat on the Boston School Committee.<ref name="postfor">{{cite web |last1=Dumcius |first1=Gintautas |title=School Committee Post for Barros |url=https://www.dotnews.com/2010/school-committee-post-barros |website=Dorchester Reporter |access-date=8 November 2024 |language=en |date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> He was a first Cape Verdean to serve on the committee. He resigned this position in April 2013, in preparation for his mayoral campaign.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Andrew |title=John F. Barros Resigns from Boston School Committee in Another Step Toward Run for Mayor |url=https://www.boston.com/uncategorized/noprimarytagmatch/2013/04/23/john-f-barros-resigns-from-boston-school-committee-in-another-step-toward-run-for-mayor/ |website=Boston.com |access-date=1 October 2020 |date=23 April 2013}}</ref> At the time he was appointed to the committee, he was additionally studying for a master's degree in public policy from Tufts University, which he later attained.<ref name="postfor"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilgannon |first1=Maddie |title=John Barros to Join Mayor's Race |url=https://www.dotnews.com/2021/barros-likely-mayoral-candidate-make-announcement-tomorrow |website=The Dorchester Reporter |access-date=8 November 2024 |language=en |date=March 3, 2021}}</ref>
==2013 mayoral campaign== {{see also|2013 Boston mayoral election}} Barros, a Democrat, ran the first of his two unsuccessful campaigns in Boston's nonpartisan mayoral elections in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston edges toward historic shift as mayoral field narrows |last=LeBlanc |first=Steve |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/boston-edges-historic-shift-mayoral-field-narrows-79496224 |website=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |access-date=17 August 2021 |language=en |date=17 August 2021}}</ref> In April 2013 Barros announced his intention to run for mayor of the City of Boston.<ref name=launch/><ref name=kstory/> He failed to make it past the nonpartisan primary into the general election, placing sixth in the primary, with 8.10% of the vote.<ref name="announce21">{{cite web |last1=Gartsbeyn |first1=Mark |last2=DeCosta-Klipa |first2=Nik |title=John Barros officially launches campaign to be Boston mayor |url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2021/03/03/john-barros-running-for-mayor-of-boston/ |website=www.boston.com |access-date=13 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713213747/https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2021/03/03/john-barros-running-for-mayor-of-boston/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the primary, ''The Boston Globe'' made a dual-endorsement of both Barros and John R. Connolly.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wintersmith |first1=Saraya |title=Why The Globe's Campbell Endorsement Matters — Or May Matter |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2021/09/02/why-the-globes-campbell-endorsement-matters-or-may-matter |website=www.wgbh.org |language=en |date=3 September 2021}}</ref> Despite losing, Barros gained much broader recognition in Boston through his campaign for mayor.<ref name="BernsteinFeb112014"/><ref name="Irons2">{{cite web |last1=Irons |first1=Meghan E. |title=From 'Mr. Mayor' hopeful to 'Mr. GE' - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/01/16/with-move-john-barros-again-finds-his-stride/F29KyZadOEqtBkAimlXbNI/story.html |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=8 April 2023 |date=January 16, 2016}}</ref>
Before he launched his own candidacy, Barros was approached by Marty Walsh about working on the campaign for Walsh's planned candidacy. Walsh and Barros had been longtime friends. The two had both grown up only blocks apart from each other. In the 2013 mayoral primary, however, Barros and Walsh found themselves running against each other.<ref name="Irons2"/>
After being eliminated, Barros endorsed Walsh in the general election.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Andrew |title=State representative Martin J. Walsh, champion of unions, wins Boston mayoral race |url=https://www.boston.com/uncategorized/noprimarytagmatch/2013/11/05/state-representative-martin-j-walsh-champion-of-unions-wins-boston-mayoral-race/ |website=www.boston.com |access-date=21 September 2021 |date=November 5, 2013}}</ref> Barros campaigned avidly on behalf of Walsh's general election candidacy.<ref name="Irons1"/><ref name="BernsteinFeb112014"/>
==Boston chief of economic development== After Walsh became mayor, he made Barros his chief of economic development.<ref name="announce21"/> Barros's mayoral campaign had elevated his notability, and, while he seemed likely to be offered a position in Walsh's administration, it was also, initially, speculated that Barros might instead make another run for elected office, with speculation circulating about a possible run for lieutenant governor or a run in the special election for the Massachusetts House of Representatives seat vacated by Carlos Henriquez.<ref name="BernsteinFeb112014">{{cite web |last1=Bernstein |first1=David S. |title=John Barros and The Elder Felix Arroyo Are In Action |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2014/02/11/john-barros-felix-arroyo-in-action/ |access-date=11 October 2021 |date=February 11, 2014}}</ref>
In February 2014, Walsh (one month into his mayoralty) appointed Barros as chief of economic development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Quinn |first1=Garrett |title=Boston Mayor Marty Walsh appoints John Barros as chief of economic development |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/boston/2014/02/boston_mayor_marty_walsh_appoi.html |website=masslive |access-date=8 September 2021 |language=en |date=10 February 2014}}</ref> The newly-created position oversaw economic development in the city, and also was tasked with coordinating efforts across numerous city departments.<ref name="BernsteinFeb112014"/> Aspects of economic development that the position was tasked overseeing included efforts to revitalize city neighborhoods, promotion of the city nationally and abroad, efforts to accelerate the creation of new jobs, and efforts to support small business in the city.<ref name="Irons1"/> The position included purview over the Boston Redevelopment Authority.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keith |first1=John A. |title=Who Should Be Able to Live Where in Boston? |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/property/2014/05/20/bostons-building-boom-bust-middle-class/ |website=Boston Magazine |access-date=11 October 2021 |date=May 20, 2014}}</ref>
Barros's first day on the job was February 11, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Barros takes the economic reins |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2014/02/11/john-barros-takes-the-economic-reins/ |website=www.boston.com |access-date=8 September 2021 |date=11 February 2014}}</ref> He was the first person to hold this new position.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reilly |first1=Adam |title=John Barros, Walsh Rival Turned Ally, Jumps Into Boston Mayor's Race |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/03/03/john-barros-walsh-rival-turned-ally-jumps-into-boston-mayors-race |website=www.wgbh.org |access-date=8 September 2021 |language=en |date=4 March 2021}}</ref> As chief of economic development, Barros claimed that his top priorities included economic equity, neighborhood development, and innovation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holland |first1=Frank |title=John Barros: City of Boston 'Open for Business' |url=https://www.baystatebanner.com/2015/03/11/john-barros-city-of-boston-open-for-business/ |website=The Bay State Banner |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=11 March 2015}}</ref> Barros received a $135,000 annual salary in the position. He initially did not have a staff when he took office. However, Walsh soon gave Barros' position a ten-person staff and a budget of $500,000.<ref name="Irons1"/>
Barros' first two years in the position saw him hold a low public profile, working largely behind-the-scenes. However, in January 2016, he garnered great public attention when it was announced that General Electric would be moving its headquarters to Boston, a matter that Barros had played a key role in achieving for Boston.<ref name="Irons1"/> ''The Boston Globe'' jointly named Barros, Jay Ash, Steve Kadish, and Dan Koh its 2016 "Bostonians of the Year", crediting them with having been behind the deal which brought General Electric's headquarters to the city, each having done so, "with marching orders from their bosses".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leung |first1=Shirley |title=Dealmakers: The four players who really brought GE to town - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2016/12/14/dealmakers-the-four-players-who-really-brought-town/7JQsUqgSIz49yIuT7HtGwM/story.html |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> In 2018, ''Boston'' magazine ran ranked Barros 15th on its list of "The 100 Most Influential People in Boston", writing, {{blockquote|He brought GE to Boston; that alone (despite the company’s recent troubles) earns him a spot on this list. Everywhere you look in the city—from the development in Dudley Square to the Seaport—you’ll find Barros’s fingerprints. You’ll also find believers ready to follow his lead. He’s the odds-on favorite to be the next mayor of Boston.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Khvan |first1=Olga |title=The 100 Most Influential People in Boston |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2018/04/24/most-influential-people-boston/ |website=Boston Magazine |access-date=14 November 2022 |date=24 April 2018}}</ref>}}
Early into his tenure, Barros stated his desire for businesses to extend their opening hours later into the night.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chabot |first1=Hillary |title=John Barros backs later closing times |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2014/02/12/john-barros-backs-later-closing-times/ |website=Boston Herald |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=12 February 2014}}</ref> In his position, Barros co-chaired the ''Imagine Boston 2030'' citywide vision planning blueprint.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Loth |first1=Renée |title=The mayoral candidates have designs on Boston|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/09/10/opinion/mayoral-candidates-have-designs-boston/ |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=September 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Irons |first1=Meghan E. |title=Teenage Community Activism Helped Shape Boston Mayoral Candidate John Barros into a 'Bridge-Builder' |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/02/metro/teenage-community-activism-helped-shape-boston-mayoral-candidate-john-barros-into-bridge-builder/ |website=The Boston Globe |date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> He worked in partnership with MassChallenge to work to, "expand innovation efforts in Boston."<ref>{{cite web |title=MassChallenge Opens New Home for Innovation |url=https://masschallenge.org/media/masschallenge-opens-new-home-innovation |website=masschallenge.org |access-date=13 September 2021 |language=en |date=June 11, 2014}}</ref> He also worked with MassRobotics on putting together their proposal for a grant for their MassWorks program.<ref>{{cite web |title=MassWorks Grant to Help MassRobotics Grow, Serve Local Business |url=https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/regional/massworks-grant-to-help-massrobotics-grow-serve-local-business/ |website=Robotics Business Review |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=22 February 2018}}</ref> Disclosed emails show that he played a role in coordinating with other Massachusetts cities about Boston's bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clauss |first1=Kyle Scott |title=Here's What We Learned from the Boston Redevelopment Authority's Emails with Boston 2024 |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2015/05/21/boston-2024-emails-boston-redevelopment-authority/ |website=Boston Magazine |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=May 21, 2015}}</ref>
In February 2021, Barros resigned from the position in order to launch his second candidacy for mayor of Boston. Mayor Walsh would not be seeking re-election, being nominated by newly-inaugurated U.S. president Joe Biden to serve in Cabinet as secretary of labor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Yawu |title=John Barros Enters Race for Mayor |url=https://www.baystatebanner.com/2021/03/04/john-barros-enters-race-for-mayor/ |website=The Bay State Banner |access-date=8 September 2021 |date=4 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Matthews |first1=Zoe |title=John Barros: 'I Believe I Have [Walsh's] Vote' For Mayor |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/08/03/john-barros-i-believe-i-have-walshs-vote-for-mayor |website=News |access-date=8 September 2021 |language=en |date=3 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Irons |first1=Meghan E. Irons |title=Barros, Inching Closer to a Bid for Mayor, is Set to Resign from City Hall Post |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/23/metro/barros-inching-closer-bid-mayor-is-set-resign-city-hall-post/ |website=Boston Globe |date=February 23, 2021}}</ref>
==2021 mayoral campaign== {{see also|2021 Boston mayoral election}}
thumb|Barros (far right) campaigning in 2021
In March 2021, Barros announced he would run for mayor in the 2021 Boston mayoral election.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Barros, Walsh Rival Turned Ally, Jumps Into Boston Mayor's Race |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/03/03/john-barros-walsh-rival-turned-ally-jumps-into-boston-mayors-race |website=WGBH |access-date=13 July 2021 |language=en |date=4 March 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713213748/https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/03/03/john-barros-walsh-rival-turned-ally-jumps-into-boston-mayors-race |url-status=live }}</ref> If elected he would become the first black man to become mayor of Boston.<ref name="announce21" /> In a September 10, 2021 article, Ellen Barry of the ''New York Times'' described Barros as having, "struggled to get traction."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barry |first1=Ellen |title=It's a 'Brawl in Beantown,' as Progressive Allies Clash in the Boston Mayor's Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/us/boston-mayoral-election.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=10 September 2021}}</ref> On the day of the primary election, Gregory Krieg of CNN described Barros as, "a heavy underdog".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krieg |first1=Gregory |title=Boston to vote in first leg of historic mayoral campaign |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/14/politics/boston-mayor-preliminary-election/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> On the day of the primary election, ''The Boston Globe'' characterized him as, "trailing the pack" in opinion polls.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Finucane |first1=Martin |last2=Fatima |first2=Sahar |last3=Arnett |first3=Dugan |last4=Staff |first4=Milton J. Valencia Globe |last5=September 14 |first5=Updated |title=Wu expresses confidence she's headed for final election; no results yet from city |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/09/14/metro/only-few-hours-are-left-until-polls-close-historic-boston-preliminary-mayoral-election/ |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=15 September 2021 |date=November 14, 2021}}</ref> However, in the days leading up to the election, Barros expressed confidence, questioning the accuracy of polling.<ref>{{cite web |title=OTR: Boston mayoral candidate John Barros confident he will win preliminary election |url=https://news.yahoo.com/otr-boston-mayoral-candidate-john-162917516.html |website=news.yahoo.com |publisher=WCVB |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=September 12, 2021}}</ref> Barros ultimately placed fifth, with over 3% of the vote.
==Subsequent career== In November 2021, Barros became managing principal of the Boston office of the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cushman & Wakefield Hires John F. Barros as Managing Principal of Boston |url=https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/cushman-wakefield-hires-john-f-barros-as-managing-principal-of-boston/ |website=Boston Real Estate Times |access-date=November 10, 2022 |date=17 November 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, Barros became the first-ever visiting professional at Boston College's Joseph E. Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action at the Carroll School of Management.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Barros to be inaugural visiting professional at BC's Corcoran Center |url=https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/campus-community/announcements/barros-at-corcoran-center.html |website=www.bc.edu |publisher=Boston College |access-date=10 November 2022 |date=November 10, 2022}}</ref>
On January 9, 2026, the board of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority voted 13-0 to appoint Barros to serve on year as its interim CEO and executive director, for a stint beginning later that month.<ref>{{cite web |title=Convention Center board taps Dot's Barros to run agency for a year as interim CEO |url=https://www.dotnews.com/2026/convention-center-board-taps-dots-barros-to-run-agency-for-a-year-as-interim-ceo/ |website=Dorchester Reporter |access-date=January 19, 2026 |date=January 14, 2026}}</ref>
==Awards and recognition== Among the awards and recognition Barros has received are the inaugural Community Service Award from the Boston Day & Evening Academy in 2008; the Robert Leo Ruffin Award from the Archdiocese of Boston in 2004; and the Action for Boston Community Development Roxbury Community Award in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Walsh appoints John Barros as economic development chief |url=https://www.boston.gov/news/mayor-walsh-appoints-john-barros-economic-development-chief |website=Boston.gov |access-date=14 September 2021 |language=en |date=29 March 2017}}</ref>
==Personal life== Barros married his wife, Tchintcia, in 2011.<ref name="Dumcius1"/> He has two children and resides in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, where he has served as a lay leader at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.<ref name="Irons1"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Barros tapped as Walsh's economic development chief {{!}} Dorchester Reporter |url=https://www.dotnews.com/2014/barros-tapped-walshs-economic-development-chief |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=www.dotnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {| class=wikitable !colspan=5|2013 Boston mayoral election |- !colspan=1 rowspan=2 |Candidate !colspan=2 |'''Primary election'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/2013%20-%2009-24-13%20-%20Mayor%20Ward%20%26%20Precinct%20Results_tcm3-40789.pdf|title=Preliminary Municipal Election|website=cityofboston.gov|date=24 September 2021|accessdate=6 March 2021}}</ref> !colspan=2 |'''General election'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/2013%20-%2011-05-13%20-%20Mayor%20Ward%20&%20Precinct%20Results%20(1)_tcm3-41970.pdf|title=Municipal Election|website=cityofboston.gov|date=5 November 2013|accessdate=6 March 2021}}</ref> |- !Votes !% !Votes !% |- | '''Marty Walsh''' | align="right" | '''20,854''' | align="right" | '''18.47''' | align="right" | '''72,583''' | align="right" | '''51.54''' |- | John R. Connolly | align="right" | '''19,435''' | align="right" | '''17.21''' | align="right" | 67,694 | align="right" | 48.07 |- | Charlotte Golar Richie | align="right" | 15,546 | align="right" | 13.77 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Daniel F. Conley | align="right" | 12,775 | align="right" | 11.32 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Felix G. Arroyo | align="right" | 9,895 | align="right" | 8.76 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | John Barros | align="right" | 9,148 | align="right" | 8.10 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Robert Consalvo | align="right" | 8,603 | align="right" | 7.62 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Michael P. Ross | align="right" | 8,164 | align="right" | 7.23 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Bill Walczak | align="right" | 3,825 | align="right" | 3.39 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Charles Yancey | align="right" | 2,389 | align="right" | 2.12 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Charles Clemmons | align="right" | 1,800 | align="right" | 1.59 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | David Wyatt | align="right" | 334 | align="right" | 0.30 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | ''Write-ins'' | align="right" | 130 | align="right" | 0.12 | align="right" | 560 | align="right" | 0.40 |- | '''Total''' | align="right" | '''112,898''' | align="right" | '''100''' | align="right" | '''140,837''' | align="right" | '''100''' |}
{| class=wikitable !colspan=5|2021 Boston mayoral election |- !colspan=1 rowspan=2 |Candidate !colspan=2 |'''Primary election'''<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Boston Preliminary Mayoral Election - September 14, 2021 |url=https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2021/10/001%20-%202021%20-%2009-14-21%20-%20Mayor.pdf |website=www.boston.gov |publisher=City of Boston |access-date=31 October 2022 |date=2021}}</ref> !colspan=2 |'''General election'''<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Boston Municipal Election - November 2, 2021 Mayor |url=https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2021/11/2021-11-02-21-Mayor.pdf |website=www.boston.gov |publisher=City of Boston |access-date=31 October 2022 |date=2021}}</ref> |- !Votes !% !Votes !% |- | '''Michelle Wu''' | align="right" | '''36,060''' | align="right" | '''33.40''' | align="right" | '''91,794''' | align="right" | '''63.96''' |- | Annissa Essaibi George | align="right" | '''24,268''' | align="right" | '''22.48''' | align="right" | 51,125 | align="right" | 35.62 |- | Andrea Campbell | align="right" | 21,299 | align="right" | 19.73 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Kim Janey (acting incumbent) | align="right" | 21,047 | align="right" | 19.49 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | John Barros | align="right" | 3,459 | align="right" | 3.20 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Robert Cappucci | align="right" | 1,185 | align="right" | 1.10 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Jon Santiago ''(withdrawn)'' | align="right" | 368 | align="right" | 0.34 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | Richard Spagnuolo | align="right" | 286 | align="right" | 0.26 | colspan=2 bgcolor=darkgray | |- | ''Scattering'' | align="right" | 0 | align="right" |0.00 | align="right" |595 | align="right" | 0.41 |- | '''Total''' | align="right" | '''107,972''' | align="right" | '''100''' | align="right" | '''144,380''' | align="right" | '''100''' |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barros, John}} Category:1973 births Category:20th-century Roman Catholics Category:21st-century Roman Catholics Category:American politicians of Cape Verdean descent Category:Candidates in the 2021 United States elections Category:Living people Category:Boston School Committee members Category:People from Roxbury, Boston Category:21st-century African-American politicians Category:20th-century African-American politicians Category:African-American Catholics Category:American Roman Catholics