Walsh, Wu back progressives over incumbent
Councilor Garrison at risk of losing post
Mayor Martin Walsh and City Councilor Michelle Wu are boosting progressive challengers in the at-large race — with the most vulnerable incumbent being the Trump-supporting Althea Garrison, a thorn in the leftleaning council’s side.
Wu has endorsed and campaigned closely with Alejandra St. Guillen, even though St. Guillen technically is a rival with Wu, who occupies one of the council’s four at-large seats. Wu, Annissa Essaibi-George and Michael Flaherty are all seen as secure in their seats, however. Garrison, taking the seat as the first runner-up after Ayanna Pressley resigned to become a congresswoman last year, won only 7% of the total 2017 vote, far less than the other at-large winners.
Garrison has since established herself as a conservative irritant on the largely progressive council.
“My guess is they will be happy if she’s no longer a city councilor,” former councilor Tom Keane observed about the pols’ endorsing at-large challengers.
Wu and Garrison did not respond to requests for comment. Walsh’s campaign, commenting on his endorsements, noted his longtime friendship with EssaibiGeorge and the fact that St. Guillen headed up his administration’s Office of Immigrant Advancement. In a statement, the mayor noted he’s worked closely with both, particularly over the past few years, saying, “They are bold leaders who understand the importance of working together to solve some of our biggest challenges.”
Wu, who Walsh has not endorsed, is seen as a likely mayoral challenger.
The Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus PAC has endorsed St. Guillen and Julia Mejia, another progressive at-large candidate who’s drawn high-profile endorsements, plus Wu and EssaibiGeorge — all at Garrison’s expense.
Garrison caused a stir last week when she introduced a resolution in support of cops and the police union in the aftermath of the Straight Pride Parade. The resolution didn’t go to a vote after Wu and City Councilor Lydia Edwards objected to it.
Garrison also resigned last week from the council’s Committee on Homelessness, Mental Health, and Recovery in what she said was a protest of supervised drug injection sites, which are supported by the mayor and some on the council, though not the chairwoman of that committee, EssaibiGeorge.
Former councilor Larry DiCara, who studies elections in Boston, said the three non-Garrison incumbents are likely to cruise through next week’s preliminary election, which will cull the field to eight candidates. He said many expect Garrison to lose, but she could be helped by name recognition and low turnout in what he said may end up as a battle between her and the two progressive challengers.
“Althea has run for office many times and knows a lot of people,” DiCara said. “I don’t think people should dismiss her.”