I ran down to the hastily called press conference at City Hall this morning. In a very brief statement Mayor Setti Warren announced that he will be stepping down from his office, effective May 1, to take the post of Ambassador to Israel. While the announcement took most people by surprise, it was apparently an open secret among his senior staff in recent weeks. Said Dori Zaleznik, the City’s Chief Admin Officer, “we knew he was in the running for the post once he asked us to begin contingency planning in case the job came through”.
The first hint of Warren’s resignation came at Monday’s opening of the Edward Kennedy Institute in Dorchester, where President Obama and Mayor Warren were spotted chatting together before the ceremony began.
Mayor Warren has long had a deep interest in Israel, has made two trips there during his time as mayor, and has established a working relationship with a number of Israeli government officials during his trade missions. He has also been a longtime supporter and campaigner for the Obama administration so it’s no surprise that he’s been tapped for this position.
Said Mayor Warren, “Tassy and I will certainly miss Newton and our friends here, but it is an exciting opportunity to help forge deeper, stronger ties between our two countries”.
Mayor Warren follows in a long line of Massachusetts officials who resigned to pursue diplomatic positions. Two back-to-back Mass governors resigned – William Weld to become ambassador to Mexico (though he was never confirmed by the US Senate) and Paul Celluci to become US Ambassador to Canada. Meanwhile Boston’s Mayor Ray Flynn resigned to become US Ambassador to the Vatican.
Where all this will get very interesting is – what happens next? Since there are three years left in Mayor Warren’s term, that means there will be a special election to name his successor. I’m not sure how quickly that can be organized, but I think if it doesn’t happen before May 1 when he resigns (unlikely), the City Council will have to elect an acting mayor until the general election is held.
So who do you think are the likely candidates in this upcoming mayoral election? Who do you think has the best shot at the moment? Are there any dark horse candidates on the horizon? Discuss!
I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Ward 5 Alderwoman-soon-to-be-Councillor Deb Crossley would be in the running. As Chair of Public Facilities of the BOA-Soon-To-Be-Council, she knows where all the bodies have been buried. No one is more familiar with the underworld infrastructure of Newton than Deb, with the single exception of Alder-Councillor Ruthanne Fuller. Together they know where all the dirt flows in this City. That gives them an exceptional advantage in any political race. They could even win by osmosis, using semi-permeable membranes to allow voters to send in their choices for Mayor through the City’s pipes.
I just got an email from City Councilor Scott Lennon. He’s out of town at the moment and claims he didn’t know that this was coming.
I asked him if he would run for mayor and he was non-committal
@Jerry: Don’t buy whatever Lennon is selling. I saw him at the Land Use meeting last night. Seemed to be spending a lot of time having a private discussion with Alderman Lappin, who I assume would become board president (or is it acting president?)
May 1??? Are you kidding me? The BOA is supposed to figure out how to run the city in a month?
I don’t think Lennon is a wise choice. He is the father of a very young child who benefits from his presence at home. Running the City is so much more time consuming than running the Board.
Sallee – That would be Lennon’s choice to make with his wife, not ours.
@Sallee: Setti Warren has two young children.
Applause, Sallee – your post made me laugh aloud.
to clarify, since the posts are coming fast and furious right now – I was referring to Sallee’s first post
April Fools?
Only people without children should serve in public office? I guess the Catholic Church was on to something.
From reading the blogs for a long time, it seemed like a lot of people thought Setti Warren always had his eyes on something bigger and did not truly want to put Newton first. This makes me think those people were correct.
Just double-checking here, but has anybody confirmed that this isn’t an April Fools joke?
It also explains the 2 eagles I saw circling over City Hall yesterday.
@Barbara: I think those were vultures.
Setti lost interest in being Mayor along time ago. John Kerry personally asked the President to make the appointment. My friends in Israel are shocked that the President has announced this. The Republican controlled US Senate will likely not confirm Newton’s Mayor.
Rick Lipof will also be running for Mayor.
@Joe Corkery
If you can’t trust the Newton Onion, who can you trust
I heard last night at Dunn Gaherins that The Minister of Frivolity steps in if the Mayor leaves.
I really think working fathers should be banned in Newton.
Tom Sheff is buying rounds this evening at Union St. starting at 6 pm in celebration of Warren’s appointment. David Cohen is making calls to gauge support for a comeback. Susie Heyman has agreed to be his Campaign Chair.
Doug, I’ve been at the Union st bar since 6:15 and haven’t seen you, yet. Drinks are still on me.
many a truth said in jest..