Wednesday, October 19, 2005

City councilors Felix Arroyo, Chuck Turner, and Charles Yancey--or, as they prefer, "Team Unity"--have something to say about the at-large city council race. And at 6 p.m. today, just before this evening's at-large debate at UMass-Boston, they're going to tell us what it is.

I'd be stunned if it's anything other than a group endorsement of Sam Yoon. Yes, things were a bit tense between the Yoon and Arroyo camps earlier this year. But Yoon--like Arroyo, Turner, and Yancey--is a progressive of color. And he's the only challenger who fits that description.

Whatever the three incumbents actually do say tonight, the upcoming announcment points up their total lack of public engagement in this year's mayoral race. As anyone who follows the council knows, four members of that body--Arroyo, Turner, Yancey, and mayoral challenger Maura Hennigan--almost always vote together. Despite this, though, "Team Unity" has yet to speak out on behalf of Hennigan's candidacy.

Practically speaking, this silence is probably wise. The loftier ambitions that Arroyo and his supporters clearly harbor will be boosted if he tops the at-large ticket this year. If he antagonized Menino, though, Arroyo's chances of finishing first would drop dramatically. Turner has no opposition, and Yancey isn't going to be pressed by J.R. Rucker. Still, both councilors still need the mayor to deliver services to their districts. And if Menino is reelected, as most people expect him to be, he'd surely hold a grudge if Turner and Yancey had worked to elect his opponent.

Even so, Hennigan has to be rustrated that her longtime allies are leaving her out in the cold. And Turner's recent praise of Menino's record on racial issues must really have stung.

10/19/2005 12:10:00 PM by Adam | Comments [0] |  
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