David B. Cohen

Who is David B. Cohen?

David Barry Cohen is a politician who served as a Massachusetts state Representative and as the mayor of Newton, Massachusetts.

Cohen was a member of the Newton Board of Aldermen from 1972–1979 and a state representative from 1979–1998. In 1997, Cohen defeated incumbent Mayor Thomas Concannon, Jr. to win his first of three terms as mayor.

Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newton under Mayor Cohen's leadership was the nation's safest city during 2003, 2004 and 2005, and the fourth safest city in the nation in 2006. The designation is based on crime statistics in six categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft. Cohen did not run for re election in 2009.