I’ve been hearing rumors all week that Alderman Ted Hess-Mahan is considering running against Mayor Setti Warren but I haven’t spoken with Ted and I hadn’t completely confirmed those rumors — until now. What I have confirmed is this: Alderman Hess-Mahan has consulted City Clerk David Olson on whether he can run for mayor and re-election as alderman at-large for Ward 3 at the same time. The answer is: yes, he can.
Perhaps this is why he has been stalling on giving us an answer about his re-election plans.
Good luck, Ted, the more the merrier. I don’t believe that someone can run for both the at-large seat and the ward alderman at the sametime. I don’t believe you can run for both alderman and mayor at the sametime…learn something everyday,
Super exciting news! Ted would make a great mayor, and the city would be well served by what would be a highly competitive race. Strategically, I think it would be a mistake to be on both ballots. If you’re running for mayor, run like you’re planning to win.
Tom — What do you mean, “You don’t believe…”? The city clerk, whom I believe knows the charter pretty well, says that, in fact, one can. Mike has a point though, that it doesn’t make one look like a serious candidate for mayor.
Not only does it make it look like it’s not a serious effort, but it actually could create a problem for the city.
Were Ted to run for both, right now there would only be 2 candidates for the ward 3 at-large seat. Should Ted actually win the mayoral race, we’d only have one alderman in a position to serve.
The fact that he CAN run for both doesn’t mean he SHOULD.
All,
Can someone explain what Ted Hess-Mahan (D-West Newton) would do that Setti Warren (D-Ward 2) isn’t doing right now?
At least this fits the narrative about how municipal races are officially non-partisan because they’re effectively Vote for your Favorite Democrat.
The question is what happens if Ted runs for both and wins both, in terms of then filling the vacant Ward 3 seat?
Considering the BoA president is advantaging himself in a no-lose situation (an empty seat and $30k gone for Newton, with no downside for the Alderman); if ballot play is now the norm, go for it. There is no downside for Newton in this case, and what the BoA president is doing is not the same — this would give voters more debate in both contests.
Greatest news entry ever Gail. Not sure why THM would be asking any questions about law…, particularly given Yeo’s misadventure…. Is he asking a question he knows the answer to see if City Hall feels otherwise?
This one is good all around
Will the lawn signs spin, or are they like the Fenway signs that flip onto the next message?
Is this the same Ted Hess-Mahan that wanted to give the key to the city to a Guantanamo Bay detainee??
Ok, maybe not give the key to the city away…but wanted to ensure the guy got housing in Newton.
Amazing, can’t wait for this election!
What’s really surprising to me is that THM was one of Setti’s earliest, most visible, and loudest supporters in the last election. If he goes through with running for Mayor, I’d be very interested in learning what changed in the intervening years.
I admire Alderman Hess-Mahan for his thoughtfulness, conviction, deep understanding of complex issues and willingness to engage with the great unwashed via social media. Oh, and he can be pretty funny too.
Ted would be a compelling candidate for mayor. Win or lose (and I suspect even he knows he will lose) it would be a great service to our city to have a thoughtful and respectful debate about our future. I believe our city has much to gain and little to lose if he were to run.
Perhaps Ted is setting the wheels in motion for a run for mayor in 2017?
Greg,
I wouldn’t dismiss him so fast. He would have a very good chance of gaining Ruth’s base, even if Ruth is with Setti. He knows that group of people a lot longer than the Mayor and I think he would be extremely formidable.
If I were the Mayor, I’d be on the phone calling Ted to make a deal not to run and he would endorse Ted in 4 or 8 years.
By the way, high fives to Gail Spector for breaking this story!
I’m closing this thread and urging folks to comment instead on the tread above.