Mayoral speculation swirls around Wu after strong election results
Michelle Wu’s strong first-place showing in Tuesday’s City Council election is fueling further speculation about a possible 2021 mayoral run — though Wu and Walsh continue to skirt questions about the possible race.
“It was an extraordinary vote for Wu,” said former city councilor Larry DiCara said. Referring to Wu’s Roslindale home, he added, “I’d be surprised if after she’s put the boys to bed tonight it’s not a topic for discussion in Ward 18, Precinct 10.”
Wu, speaking to the Herald on Wednesday, continued her normal practice of dodging questions about whether she’s mulling a challenge of Mayor Martin Walsh.
“The conversation in my family has been about our planned trip this weekend to Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg,” Wu said, laughing. “We just had a very active, intense campaign season, and I’m enjoying the idea of a historic council that will be majority women and majority people of color.”
Wu, 34, received 41,616 votes in the eight-way race for four at-large seats. In total, 66,884 ballots were cast in that race — which means 62.2% of voters cast ballots to reelect the three-term councilor.
DiCara said that’s an impressive number, especially in the 3 1/2 decades since the council moved from nine at-large seats to four. But he also cautioned that it’s incredibly hard to take down a sitting mayor. The last time that happened was 70 years ago, when 75-year-old James Michael Curley, who lost after a jail term for mail fraud.
“And it was close,” DiCara noted.
Walsh on Wednesday also dodged questions about a Wu challenge, saying the city is “still trying to figure out yesterday’s election” — referring to the still-contested fourth at-large seat that appears to be headed to a recount.
Walsh said he welcomed competition in the race, saying it keeps him “sharp.”
“Elections are good,” Walsh told reporters. “When we don’t have elections — regardless of how good or serious an opponent is — people get stale. They get lazy and don’t pay attention to the job.”
Walsh bested then-City Councilor Tito Jackson two years ago to win a second four-year term in the big office in City Hall’s fifth floor.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/33qWXq7
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