Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn has remained mum thus far on whether he plans to challenge Michelle Wu in the 2025 mayoral election, but a coalition of veterans may already be organizing on his behalf, in hopes to “embolden and inspire” him to run.
Veterans for Ed Flynn, a coalition of Boston-based veterans, “dedicated to celebrating the city councilor’s “ongoing commitment to those that served our country,” announced its formation in a statement released on Thursday.
The statement notes Flynn’s status as a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Veterans for Ed Flynn is in the process of being formed to embolden and inspire Ed Flynn to continue his positive leadership in Boston,” Dominic Amenta, a spokesperson for the group, said in a statement.
The statement does not specifically note whether the group is aimed at encouraging Flynn to run for mayor, only saying broadly that the councilor “understands that leadership during these challenging times is important.”
Amenta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“As a city councilor, Ed Flynn is a tireless advocate for a city that is safe, inclusive and prosperous for all residents, in all of Boston’s neighborhoods,” the group stated. “Veterans for Ed Flynn will be organizing a series of community events and initiatives to support the critical work of Councilor Flynn who believe having a veteran in elected office is important to the city and our nation.”
The group also encouraged anyone interested in helping the organization to attend Flynn’s fundraiser reception next Tuesday. Flynn previously told the Herald that a rumor that he was planning to make a mayoral announcement there is not true.
Flynn, the City Council president last term and son of former Mayor Ray Flynn, said earlier this week that he is considering a mayoral bid, but that it’s too early for him to “engage in any campaigns.”
“I’m going to consider it, consider my options and how I can be helpful to the residents of Boston,” Flynn said on Sunday.
Flynn, a moderate Democrat seen as an antagonist to the progressive Mayor Wu, has a campaign war chest that far exceeds any other member of the City Council.
He has roughly $787,075 cash on hand, compared to the second-highest fund of City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, which stands at $107,597, according to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
Wu, who has already stated her intention to run for a second term, has a war chest of roughly $1.5 million, per OCPF records.
Philanthropist Josh Kraft, the son of the billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has also been rumored to be considering a mayoral run, but per a spokesperson earlier this week, is “not currently a candidate” nor has any timeline or plan for “any kind of announcement.”
Jorge Mendoza-Iturralde, a North End restaurant owner clashing with the mayor and City Hall over outdoor dining restrictions, is the only challenger thus far to jump into the race, saying Sunday that he still intends to run.
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