Jack Kelly Not to Run for District 1 City Council

By John Lynds

Charlestown’s Jack Kelly will not run for District 1 City Councilor

Two weeks ago Charlestown’s Jack Kelly was all in as a candidate for the District 1 City Council seat, but this week he’s had a change of heart.

Kelly, who was an At-Large City Council candidate in 2013 and former liaison for the late Mayor Thomas Menino, announced he will not be seeking the District 1 seat being vacated by City Councilor Sal LaMattina at the end of this term.

Kelly’s exit leaves just three candidates who have officially announced their candidacies.

“Today I decided I will not pull papers and be a candidate for District 1 on the Boston City Council,” said Kelly Tuesday. “Although I’ve spent most of my adult life in some capacity engaging in public or private service; this race was simply not in my heart. As a life long resident of Charlestown, it has always been an aspiration of mine to see our community fully represented within all levels of government. Hopefully, in due time that shall happen.

I give my best to all current candidates. I would encourage all voters in Charlestown, East Boston and the North End to ask hard questions and make independent conclusions of whom you will support. I’ve always tried to be true to myself and those around me. This decision is a reflection of how I’ve always lived my life- true to my heart. Thank you to those who supported and encouraged me to run.”

With Kelly out only East Boston residents Michael Sinatra, LaMattina’s Chief of Staff, and Lydia Edwards, who runs the Mayor’s Office of Housing Stability and the North End’s Stephen Passacantilli, who works as Director of Operations for the Boston Transportation Department.

Kelly’s exit signals a tough road for the two remaining Eastie candidates as they would most likely split the Eastie vote. Without a Charlestown candidate in the race it may allow Passacantilli, the only North End candidate, to consolidate his home base and penetrate enough into Charlestown as the two Eastie candidates cannibalize one another.

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