Martinez ‘absolutely’ considering mayoral run
Tompkins, Michlewitz are out
The pool of possible candidates to replace the likely outgoing Mayor Martin Walsh continues to take shape, with Walsh’s coronavirus point-man saying he’s “absolutely” considering a run and two other influential Boston pols ruling themselves out.
Boston Health Chief Marty Martinez, who’s overseen the city’s coronavirus response, was asked during a press conference Thursday about rumors he’s mulling a run to replace his boss, who’s President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Labor secretary.
“The next mayor who is elected to the city of Boston will have a huge responsibility to make sure we finish this response and get to an equitable recovery and I’m absolutely considering running,” Martinez said.
Martinez has had a much higher profile over the past 12 months than before, as he’s been coordinating the city’s coronavirus pandemic response and regularly appearing alongside the mayor in press conferences.
But others on Thursday were removing themselves from the discussion. State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, a North End Democrat, had been floated as a possible candidate, but now says he “will not be seeking” the office.
And Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, who’s very involved and influential in local Democratic circles, also had drawn some speculation, but he wrote on Facebook that he will “respectfully decline” the opportunity to run.
If Walsh leaves before March 5, the city must hold a special election three months later to choose a new mayor to finish out his term, which ends this year. The City Council is mulling a proposal to override that and let City Council President Kim Janey, who will be the acting mayor either way, ride out the rest of the term in an interim capacity.
The proposal is a homerule petition, so it would need the sign-off of the council, mayor, Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker — though Baker said Thursday he’d sign it if it came to his desk.
“I tend to try to stay in my own lane on this stuff,” Baker said.