scorecardresearch Skip to main content
Capital Source

In year-end note, Jackson makes his case to Boston

City Councilor Tito Jackson, who is considering a run for mayor, made a case for himself on social media, articulating his 2016 accomplishments. Dina Rudick/Globe Staff/File/Globe Staff

City Councilor Tito Jackson, who is considering a run for mayor, has posted a polished, well-laid-out case for himself on social media, articulating his 2016 accomplishments.

The message, complete with glossy pictures of the councilor talking to students, rallying crowds, and holding a bullhorn at City Hall, was not specifically addressed to residents in District 7, which he has represented since 2011. Instead it was directed at the entire city.

“Dear Boston,’’ reads Jackson’s message, which appears on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. “It has been an eventful year for us all.”

The councilor’s year-end review is not unique. Councilors regularly send out year-end emails as well as emails seeking donations. This week, Councilor Mark Ciommo e-mailed his 2016 accomplishments. And Council President Michelle Wu recently posted the council’s 2016 legislative summary on Facebook. But Jackson’s is getting particular attention because he has stated that he is strongly considering challenging the city’s popular mayor, although he has not made it official. He has hired a master fundraiser, raised $10,000 from donors during one event last month, and spent more than $15,000 for a campaign video – fueling speculation about a possible challenge to Mayor Martin J. Walsh.

In his note to residents, Jackson included among a long list of accomplishments advocating for public education funding, housing and development, and safe communities.

Advertisement



As Jackson appears to be getting into swing, Walsh is pressing on. He has held at least nine campaign events so far and is sitting comfortably with more than $3.3 million in the bank.

The mayor, who has become a regular op-ed scribe, wrote an opinion piece recently touting a measure he championed that aims to give homeowners some tax relief. The op-ed appeared Wednesday in SAMPAN.org, the only Chinese-English newspaper in New England, published by the nonprofit Asian American Civic Association. Walsh said he worked with the City Council on the measure, which he said will increase the residential tax exemption and reduce, on average, the property tax bills for many Boston homeowners.

Advertisement




Meghan E. Irons can be reached at meghan.irons@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @meghanirons.