Boland had alerted Neal of his impending retirement , allowing the mayor a head - start on his campaign .
Neal ran for the United States House of Representatives in Massachusetts 's 2nd congressional district in 1988 after 18 - term Democratic incumbent Edward Boland retired .
incumbent had alerted Neal of Edward Boland 's impending retirement , allowing the mayor a head - start on Neal 's campaign .
Neal ran for the United States House of Representatives in Massachusetts 's 2nd congressional district in 1988 after 18 - term Democratic incumbent Edward Boland retired .