Another For Mayor?

Published Mar 31 2009, 10:45 PM by David S. Bernstein

Nothing definitive, but I can report that former city councilor Gareth Saunders is considering entering this year's race for mayor of Boston.

Saunders, an African-American who represented Roxbury's District 7 from 1994 to 1999, attempted a mayoral run in 2005, but failed to get on the ballot.

If he runs this year, he would be considered a long-shot in a field that includes Michael Flaherty, Sam Yoon, and Kevin McCrea -- and, presumably, incumbent Tom Menino, who has not declared his intentions but is widely believed to be running.

Long-shot, but not a political novice -- while on the other hand, at age 50, Saunders is not really considered part of the "old guard" of Boston black leadership, which ironically includes Saunders' District 7 successor, Chuck Turner. If he is better organized and funded this time, Saunders could potentially position himself as a bridge between that old guard, and the new, young black candidates running for city council at-large. That group already includes Ego Ezedi and Scotland Willis, and there are others still likely to get in -- plus Carlos Henriquez running against Turner.

Of course, the real question for political junkies is this: who would Saunders take votes away from in the mayoral preliminary?

Today's Massachusetts Papers

Maid Marian, Unmade

3 Comments

bostonblues said:

gareth would take votes from menino therefore helping yoon.

March 31, 2009 11:53 PM
thezak said:

What are the roles of the Mayor's Liasons to City Departments?... What does a Mayor's Liason do?... Could listings of the Mayor's Liasons be made available so they could be contacted?...

April 1, 2009 2:31 AM
Huh? said:

Is that last question a joke? Yoon's whole strategy was that new boston, which is largely comprised by younger folks, transplants, wactivists and minorities would turn out demanding change. This ONLY hurts Yoon.

April 1, 2009 4:26 AM