Two other councilors, Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell, are currently running for mayor By Katie Lannan •
Updated on January 15, 2021 at 9:14 am
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Boston health and human services chief Marty Martinez said Thursday that he s absolutely considering a mayoral bid, describing himself as intensely focused on the city s pandemic response and saying recovery from COVID-19 will be a major focus of any potential successor to Mayor Marty Walsh.
Walsh, President-elect Joe Biden s labor secretary nominee, did not take questions from reporters at a COVID-19 press conference Thursday morning, leaving the queries to Martinez and schools superintendent Brenda Cassellius, who discussed efforts to repopulate classrooms, vaccination progress and COVID-19 case numbers.
By Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
January 13, 2021
Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
Mayor Walsh’s likely departure for Washington, D.C., could pull several new candidates into a race to succeed him this summer or fall, depending on the timing of his expected resignation, which would follow his confirmation by the US Senate. Two city councillors, Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell, who were already waging spirited and well-funded campaigns to compete against Walsh will likely be joined by at least two council colleagues and other hopefuls from within city and state government.
When he steps down, Walsh’s vacant seat will be filled immediately by City Council President Kim Janey on an interim basis. She would be the first Black person and the first woman to serve as the city’s chief executive. Janey has not yet said whether or not she will seek a full, four-year term, but preparations have already begun for her transition into the mayor’s office.
The governor also discussed his concerns about a climate change bill Democrats are determined to pass and gave his thoughts on rebuilding the GOP after Trump.
Baker has pushed for years for the change as one that is essential to meet his goal of creating 135,000 new units of housing by 2025 to ease the housing crunch, especially around Greater Boston.
The bill also included $50 million in funding for transit-oriented housing, $30 million for a loan program similar to the federal Paycheck Protection Program for businesses hurt by COVID-19, and funding for job training, tourism, technology and advance manufacturing. I think it s a great bill. It covers a lot of ground, will help the commonwealth with job creation over the next few months and years, Senate President Karen Spilka said, adding that it also prioritizes racial, geographic and economic equity where possible.