City Councilor Ed Flynn (South Boston, South End, Chinatown, Downtown) used to rule out running for mayor, but now? He's not so sure, Jon Keller reports.
Back in 2021, Flynn seemed to be all aboard the Wu train, to the point of having his South Boston house screamed at by some of the anti-vax bucket bangers who took a break one day from their performances in Roslindale.
But over the past year, and with the next mayoral election coming up in 2025, Flynn has opposed the mayor and her more progressive allies on the city council, on everything from council redistricting - he helped fund a lawsuit against the council's initial proposal - and reorganizing the BPDA to curbside EV chargers and the way the council votes on some matters.
Flynn's father, Ray, served as mayor between 1984 and 1993.
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Comments
Everyone needs a hobby
By BostonDog
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 10:53am
Boston will be Wu's town for as long as she wants it. Far left progressives might not love her but she's not going to lose a primary to one. And in the general election she wouldn't lose to someone more moderate (Flynn).
But beyond that, she's generally well liked in the city and has stayed out of the recent City Council drama.
Hell no
By deselby
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 10:55am
Flynn's proven himself to be a pusillanimous idiot. Would make his father look like Kevin White, Bloomberg, or LaGuardia.
Wu all the way.
In "Makes someone look like (blank)"
By Will LaTulippe
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:09pm
The blank is usually filled with someone regarded to be good, not a soda-banning (expletive) like Bloomberg.
You fell for the propaganda
By deselby
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:16pm
Anyone who's been around has seen how the SMALLEST soda choices available have grown over the years. Used to be, you could buy a six or ten ounce cup in a theater or sporting event.
Lately the minimum volumes have gone up to 20 oz and more.
Bloomberg wanted to put an end to that shit.
I'm old enough to remember when the six ounce Coke was the standard. Americans weren't grotesquely fat then
The key question here is,
By Bob Leponge
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 2:11pm
The key question here is, “should businesses be allowed to sell as food, stuff that makes people sick?”
I believe the official libertarian answer is, “why yes, of course!”
I acknowledge that there is a slippery slope argument here, that banning the sale of heroin leads straight to banning the sale of meat, but that’s why it’s so important to have a robust representative government that is capable of dealing with a world that doesn’t present every issue in black-and-white terms
It was never a "ban."
By deselby
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 2:56pm
The rule of the Board of Health proposed that sugary drinks for sale in restaurants, movie theaters etc be limited to 16 ounces.
Calling it a "ban" was propaganda from the American Beverage Association and the companies.
WTF, 16 ounces isn't enough? Heck, you could have bought another pint.
In the end, the regulation was struck down by an appeals court because the Board of Health had limited regulatory authority as an unelected body.
The episode demonstrated the right-libertarian shilling for fweedom - large corporations being free to pillage the populace.
Remember the jingle?
By necturus
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 2:25pm
"Pepsi-Cola hits the spot;
Twelve full ounces, that's a lot;
Twice as much for a nickel, too;
Pepsi-Cola is the drink for you!"
Grossly Fat Guy Here
By cybah
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 2:31pm
I am old enough to remember this time as well. And let me just tell you, I'm fat and its not because of sugary sodas and drinks as a kid. We never got them as kids. I didn't start drinking soda until an adult.
What it was... over priced groceries, prepacked foods that are cheaper, lack of exercise, too much TV.. and High Fructose Corn syrup.
I'm rooting for you, change is possible
By deselby
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 3:00pm
There are farmers' markets around and you can stop eating ultra processed food.
No more sugar, no more high-fructose CS
Kill your TV take a walk
Bloomberg was far from
By Vicki
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:30pm
Bloomberg was far from perfect as a mayor, but "soda banning [expletive deleted]" is the worst you can think of?
Wu/Flynn Race?
By plt3012
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 11:35am
I realize that an incumbent mayor is quite difficult to vote out of office. Ed Flynn would have a formidable task ahead of him should he decide to run against her.
I know this is contrary to the opinion oligarchy here on UHub, but there are many residents of the city who are not supporters of Mayor Wu and her progressive agenda.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what comes next.
Have a nice day everyone!
Didn't we just have that race?
By Pete X
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 11:59am
With a very similar political split, It didn't work out for Annisa Essaibi-George. I don't think much has changed since then, but I guess you never know.
There's a ticking time bomb
By ScottB
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 4:05pm
And that is going to be residential taxes next year, just in time for the election.
Not sure that helps Flynn, though, since he's on the Council.
"opinion oligarchy"
By lbb
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:00pm
lol
I'm trying to figure out
By Will LaTulippe
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:10pm
What word they actually meant to use instead of "oligarchy."
Majority? Plurality?
Yeah … confused here
By Ari O
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:39pm
There are people who don’t like Michelle. Some of them aren’t even racist and/of scared of women in power.
Remember that she got 20,000 more votes than Marty or Menino ever did. And that the city is doing better than a lot of its peers, violence is way down, and most of us realize that a lot of the problems are outside of her control.
But yes run for mayor of Southie, Ed. You’ll probably win Florian Hall too. Westie, if you’re lucky.
Surprisingly thoughtful
By Anony-mouse
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 11:37am
I’ve worked with Flynn on a few issues over the years.
I’ve found him surprisingly thoughtful and attentive, and honestly surprisingly liberal as well.
I know he looks frumpy and occasionally sounds it, but heck, have you heard the crazy that can emanate from that body?
Flynn is no threat to Wu.
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:33pm
Flynn is no threat to Wu. Josh Kraft could be though. He's got the money, name, and a long history of philanthropy especially in Black Boston.
"he's got the name"
By epeemike81
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 4:41pm
LOL that you think a name identifying him as the nepobaby of a billionaire will be helpful with the Boston electorate.
Nepobaby Showdown!
By SwirlyGrrl
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 9:05pm
Quick - get a Kennedy in here.
RFK Jr will be available.
By Rob
Wed, 06/26/2024 - 12:41pm
RFK Jr will be available.
duplicate
By Rob
Wed, 06/26/2024 - 12:44pm
duplicate
“The nepo baby isn’t a threat
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 8:23pm
“The nepo baby isn’t a threat, so let’s get that other nepo baby.”
Good. I hope he loses
By blues_lead
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 1:19pm
I think it's good for democracy and for the city to have a legitimate challenger. I'm glad someone serious will be running against Wu. Flynn offers enough contrast and support to be a real contender.
I disagree with him on his anti-transit, anti-bike, anti-housing stances. Vehemently. I hope he loses big.
But I'm glad he's running.
Anti-transit, anti-bike, anti-housing?
By necturus
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 2:28pm
All of those translate to more cars. The last thing Boston needs, it seems to me.
Anyone other than Wu
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 1:53pm
Maybe not anyone, but Ed would certainly be a welcomed change.
Why?
By Ari O
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 4:22pm
Simple question, anon:
Why?
[ducks preparing for word salad]
Because
By Waquiot
Wed, 06/26/2024 - 4:59pm
There should always be a choice on the ballot.
That said, I don't think Flynn would have a chance. Then again, neither did Floon.
Why isnt Ed referred to as ...
By Friartuck
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 2:44pm
"The original nepo baby?"
Ed Flynn isn’t terrible
By Anonrozzie
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 3:00pm
He’s not as far right as Murphy, Baker, or Flaherty. He generally has a good idea what goes on in city government. I’ve always found him to be somewhat reasonable, albeit a little old school on some issues.
However, I think he has quite the uphill battle against Wu.
Great to see
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 3:06pm
a Veteran running for Mayor of this City. Really great since we haven’t had a Mayor who served their country in a looooong time.
Meanwhile...
By CopleyScott17
Tue, 06/25/2024 - 5:39pm
...is it fair to say a District Councilor is the *only* thing South Boston, South End, Chinatown, and Downtown have in common? Seems like a pretty absurd map.
rule out running for mayor
By anon
Wed, 06/26/2024 - 10:29am
Always a sign they'll run.
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