Boston wants a extra conservative, pull no punches mayoral candidate to problem lefty Michelle Wu and it will likely be a missed alternative for town if nobody emerges as that voice.
Metropolis Councilor Ed Flynn of South Boston, son of former Mayor Ray Flynn, is the closest town has to filling that broad lane however for now he has determined to not be a part of the fray.
Flynn has the funds – about $1 million in marketing campaign money, which is rather a lot for a district metropolis council race – the identify recognition, and information of the important thing neighborhood points driving the race. He might faucet into extra average areas of town, not simply South Boston and never simply white voters.
Requested whether or not he has any misgivings about taking a go on the mayoral race, Flynn informed the Herald, “I’m working for district metropolis council.”
If Flynn doesn’t run, there doesn’t look like one other conservative on the market but who’s pondering of getting within the contest. However that would change.
The one different declared candidate, Josh Kraft, son of Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft, has failed to realize a lot traction but although he has raised some cash and will faucet into his household’s wealth.
Kraft to date has complained that Wu is stealing a few of his points, like reasonably priced housing however that’s not a profitable technique. He has additionally sought to make Wu’s short-sighted proposal to show the dilapidated White Stadium into knowledgeable girls’s soccer venue into a giant problem, however polls present residents are blended at greatest in regards to the plan. Wu isn’t going to lose the race due to White Stadium.
Simply within the final week, 5 main labor unions endorsed Wu, demonstrating the ability she is wielding from Metropolis Corridor. She additionally introduced Monday town is investing $10 million in federal funds for reasonably priced housing in Mattapan. Kraft can’t compete with that.
On Monday, actual property developer Thomas O’Brien made it identified that he’s interested by probably leaping within the mayor’s race, complicating Kraft’s bid much more.
O’Brien, the BRA chief beneath the late Mayor Tom Menino, can be simply one other wealthy white businessman drawing from the identical base as Kraft if he will get within the race. O’Brien is a Democrat, though Boston has a non-partisan election, and would concentrate on housing, colleges and rising property taxes. He additionally has by no means run for public workplace.
Sound acquainted?
It’s a failing technique – a non-starter.
Each Kraft and O’Brien are additionally strolling billboards for battle of curiosity – O’Brien has plenty of large tasks within the metropolis just like the redevelopment of Suffolk Downs and the rehabilitation of the Authorities Middle Storage, whereas Kraft’s household is making an attempt to construct one other soccer stadium simply over the road in Everett that may have a serious impression on Boston visitors.
O’Brien additionally was compelled to go away the BRA beneath an moral cloud for permitting a high aide to buy a sponsored rental meant for low revenue folks. That alone might kill his candidacy.
“It’s clear some builders are prepared to do no matter it takes to purchase this workplace,” Julia, Leja, a Wu marketing campaign spokesman mentioned of O’Brien’s musings about getting within the race. “Evidently Josh Kraft isn’t turning out to be what they anticipated and now they’re searching for a brand new choice.”
O’Brien didn’t return a name from the Herald on Monday.
Wu can be fortunate to face each Kraft and O’Brien in the identical discipline, as a result of she would demolish them each, leaving whoever is available in second place within the September preliminary election little probability of beating her within the November closing.
Nobody goes to out lefty Michelle Wu. The one candidate who might beat Wu is somebody who’s prepared to level out her inflexible progressive fashion isn’t working for a lot of Boston residents.
Solely Ed Flynn appears to acknowledge that, which is why it’s important that he take a second have a look at the mayor’s race and change into that various voice.
Flynn was one of many first to boost the alarm in regards to the metropolis’s drug-infested Mass and Cass neighborhood, and in regards to the deteriorating situation and security of the Boston colleges. He additionally has been within the forefront of criticizing Wu for her failures in making Downtown Crossing a secure place to buy and dwell.
Solely a conservative candidate would even be prepared to level out that Wu’s stirring protection of Boston as a sanctuary metropolis in a congressional listening to final week might lose town thousands and thousands of {dollars} in federal funds.
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