Ed Flynn is one of Wu's loudest critics on the Boston City Council. Is he needlessly obstructionist, or needed balance?

Boston Globe

02-03-2025

Despite his vocal support for all three issues, Flynn has maintained the council has
the
'We all have to understand that not everything has to be a fight, and when we do fight, it should be something worth fighting for,' said Councilor Julia Mejia at the November meeting, pushing back against Flynn's moves to delay the grants. 'I don't think that this is a really good use of our political capital to stop something that I think is going to benefit so many residents.'
Advertisement
Flynn has had other public spats
Just over a year ago, Flynn was the council's leader,
was viewed as a moderate who
Advertisement
Today though, on a more progressive council than the one he oversaw, and one that's increasingly favorable to Mayor Michelle Wu and her policy agenda, he acts more like a lone wolf.
Now in his fourth term, Flynn has emerged as one of Wu's most vocal critics on the council, what many Boston political insiders say is a dramatic change of tack for a councilor who used to be known as a peacemaker and
In a statement to The Boston Globe, Flynn defended his approach to his council work, saying his priority has been to provide 'positive leadership' and 'advocate for working families.'
'Especially during these challenging times, leadership often requires making difficult decisions, taking unpopular votes, and looking to protect the rules and norms of the institution,' Flynn wrote in the statement. 'From what I learned serving in the most diverse organization in the world for over 24 years (the U.S. military), it's also about hard work, professionalism, and treating everyone with respect and dignity.'
The Wu administration did not comment for this article.
Those who support Flynn say he provides a needed balance against Wu's influence on the city's legislative body.
Former councilor Annissa Essaibi George, a moderate who ran against Wu in the 2021 mayoral race, defended him, arguing more councilors should take a similar approach and challenge the administration.
'If it was a more balanced body with more councilors questioning, challenging, or holding the mayor's office accountable to certain decisions, [he] wouldn't be as stark of a standout,' she said.
But others argue Flynn has become deliberately antagonistic, even when debating issues he supports: more willing to engage in public spats on social media than to collaborate with colleagues on substantive policy solutions.
Advertisement
He's clashed with council President Ruthzee Louijeune over her enforcement of the council rules, and repeatedly slammed the administration for not appointing a
His complaints have spanned the seasons. In the spring, he complained to city officials about what he saw as
to the Boston Marathon and promote diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility in long distance running.
Over the summer, he called for a
— a proposal the mayor and several councilors promptly and publicly dismissed, emphasizing the city's
On X, he
Flynn's disputes with councilors reached a boiling point in the fall, when he sent a letter to Louijeune
consideration of a resolution he filed in support of striking dockworkers, saying she wanted more time to research and understand the politics of the strike before taking a public vote. She later voted in support of the resolution.
Advertisement
Flynn's recent approach to his council work has been noticeable to those inside and outside City Hall.
'There's been a difference in his personality,' said Joyce Ferriabough Bolling, a longtime Boston political strategist. 'It's a good thing, don't get me wrong, to have someone sort of as a counter to a particular issue. But [it's] another thing to come across as a contrarian. . . . Instead of saying, 'No, no, no, it's all wrong, all wrong,' [offer] your own position.'
Flynn has argued he is the
Councilor Liz Breadon, who's worked with him for more than five years, sees it differently.
'There's a lot of space for developing policy that's productive and in line with all of our values. . . . [But] being disagreeable is not helpful,' she said.
Louijeune told the Globe she has also seen a 'marked change' in how Flynn approaches his work in City Hall. In her view, he's intentionally sought to undermine her authority as his successor.
'He prefers to put things on letters and communications with me on X than actually speaking to me as a colleague,' Louijeune said. 'Instead of being an elder statesman that councilors can turn to for advice and guidance, he instead wants to play the role of antagonist.'
Flynn's defenders say he is taking a leadership role and asserting his political stance after one of the most contentious City Council terms in recent history — one that
Advertisement
Under Flynn's leadership, meetings often grew
Arroyo and one of his closest allies, Councilor Kendra Lara, ultimately lost their bids for reelection, and several other councilors chose to give up their seats. But some wonder if Flynn is
'He was president of the council during a time when the council was really divided,' said David Hopkins, a political science professor at Boston College. 'You're in the position where you're going to be in the middle of whatever conflict exists, and you're going to absorb a lot of criticism and conflict from the other members of the council. . . . I have to imagine that that would leave an impact on anyone.'
But others disagree with the characterization that Flynn has been deliberately antagonistic or obstructionist.
'In no way do I think he's angry, I think he's just strongly opinionated,' said Reynolds Graves, a Boston political consultant. 'I think that he is really leaning into what he believes, and is really leaning into some of the things that he wants to do, that he feels are the better policies and advocacy and issues for the city of Boston.'
Niki Griswold can be reached at