Uphill Fight - City Councilor Launches Campaign For Mayor In Boston Reuters

By Scott Malone

BOSTON Tue Feb 26, 2013 4:19pm EST

BOSTON (Reuters) - A Boston urban center councilor and education suggest evolved into the first applicant to start a marketing campaign with regard to mayor this year, which could possibly pit him or her versus Thomas Menino, this longest-serving mayor in area history.

John Connolly, some sort of ex - institution teacher, may likely face an uphill struggle in case Menino, 70, looks for some sort of sixth phrase inside company he features held since 1993. Both are Democrats.

Menino possesses certainly not yet stated whether he can work again after a month-long hospitalization delayed this past year related to a computer virus this individual contracted although about holiday getaway in Italy.

Connolly, 39, said within a offer on his or her webpage that his / her center while mayor can be improving upon your city's college system.

"Mayor Menino is a great man," Connolly said. "I've worked with your ex and also I respect your ex immensely, but adjusting each of our colleges requires fresh ideas, different electrical power plus a bold prefer to split the position quo."

Incumbent mayors with Boston not usually reduce re-election. Menino's predecessor, Raymond Flynn, walked decrease when President Bill Clinton referred to as your ex boyfriend ambassador to this Vatican.

In that city's the year just gone mayoral election, Menino's many significant challenge originated then-city councilor Michael Flaherty, who have considering that left politics and ended up into private appropriate practice.

Should Menino certainly not run again, a new decision he / she would not need to generate right until May, Connolly's early on entry could possibly offer your pet an advantage against other rivals, explained John Berg, mentor with government at Suffolk University inside Boston.

"It lets your pet get out now there and also receive often known as a male whom was daring enough to difficult task Menino, compared with just simply clinging backside plus waiting," Berg added. "If Menino drops out, your dog gets a lower-leg up."

(Reporting By Scott Malone; Editing by way of Paul Thomasch, Nick Zieminski along with Andre Grenon)