Mejia gets boost from former at-large rivals

Julia Mejia, who finished fifth in last week’s City Council preliminary election, got a boost today from four other candidates who did not make it onto the November ballot.

Priscilla Flint-Banks, Domingos DaRosa, William King and Michel Denis endorsed Mejia since the election, her campaign announced on Thursday. Two candidates who were unsuccessful last week’s city election in district races —Cecily Graham in District 5 and Lee Nave in District 9— also backed Mejia, she said.

“I’m honored and excited to receive the endorsement from each of these leaders, who believe in our campaign to include all voices in the decision-making process and hold every government official in City Hall accountable,” Mejia said.

In Sept. 24 the preliminary election, incumbent Michelle Wu topped the citywide field ticket, finishing with 19 percent of the votes cast. She was followed by incumbents Annissa Essaibi-George and Michael Flaherty, who each collected just under 14 percent. Alejandra St. Guillen, a former member of Mayor Martin Walsh’s administration, secured the fourth slot with just under 9 percent.Competition for the fifth position was fierce between Mejia (7.7 percent), incumbent Althea Garrison (7.09 percent) and Erin Murphy, who ended up with 6.84 percent. David Halbert earned himself a spot on the November ballot by securing the eighth position at 4.76 percent.

“I’m endorsing Julia because she has for many years committed her advocacy work to help empower and fight for the issues that impact communities of color,” said Banks, who came in 11th in the 15-person field. “I look forward to working alongside Julia to push the agenda that is important to the Black Economic Justice Institute as we move our community forward.”

Arroyo picks up support from District 5 candidates
On Wednesday, Ricardo Arroyo announced that he too has drawn support from former competitors for the District 5 council seat being vacated by Tim McCarthy. Arroyo finished first in last week’s balloting ahead of Marie Farrell. The two will face each other in a run-off election on Nov. 5.

Arroyo says that Jean-Claude Sanon, Alkia Powell, Cecily Graham, Justin Murad and Yves Mary Jean have “joined our campaign.” The former rivals are expected to join him on Saturday morning for a campaign event in Mattapan Square.

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