Jackson still coy over potential mayoral run
City Councilor Tito Jackson is staying mum about his intentions to run for mayor, even as a sixth candidate is eyeing a run at his council seat and a prominent activist says a deep untapped pool of support is waiting for him to make a move.
“There seems to be quite a bit of enthusiasm in the black community about Jackson running,” said Larry Ellison, president of the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers. “The undercurrent is almost like (President-elect Donald) Trump. People have to deal with the backlash, so they’re keeping their opinions to themselves right now, but I think the support is there and it is solid.”
Appearing on Boston Herald Radio’s “Morning Meeting” show yesterday, Jackson would not say if he plans to challenge Mayor Martin J. Walsh, but said whether he pursues the mayor’s office or his current seat, he would only focus on one campaign.
“You are either all in or all out,” Jackson said about his potential run. “We need people who serve our city who are completely and wholly dedicated to doing that job and so I think it is critical for anyone, that if you are going to run, you run for one office, not two.”
That ambiguity has left a vacuum for challengers in District 7, with five people already expressing interest. Wes Ritchie, chief of staff for state Sen. Barbara L’Italien and a former staffer for onetime state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, said he’s also considering a run if Jackson goes for mayor.