Local news
A North End restaurant owner who’s amongst those suing town over its outdoor dining policies said he plans to sue Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in 2025, in line with multiple media outlets.
Jorge Mendoza-Iturralde, an outspoken critic of town's permit policy for outdoor seating within the North End, is the primary to publicly announce plans to run against Wu. His possible candidacy was first reported until .
Mendoza-Iturralde, 56, emigrated from Argentina in 1984. He owns the Italian restaurant Vinoteca di Monica within the North End. He is a political independent and previously ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2022. reported.
“I love Boston, I grew up in Boston, I grew up in the North End,” Mendoza-Iturralde told . “But I also believe Boston deserves better. Boston deserves someone who will work for the people of Boston, not for their political career.”
Mendoza-Inurralde was not immediately available for comment to Boston.com on Wednesday afternoon.
Mendoza-Iturralde disagrees with Wu on outdoor dining issues
Mendoza-Iturralde is amongst several groups of restaurant owners who’ve filed lawsuits against town for restricting outdoor dining permits within the North End. The groups claim town is discriminating against them due to their Italian heritage, while town claims the choice was as a consequence of a scarcity of parking and sidewalks within the neighborhood.
Mendoza-Iturralde said he also disagreed with Wu's policies on traffic management, affordability, crime and town's schools.
“…I am appalled by what is happening to our city,” Mendoza-Iturralde told the . “The attack that [Mayor Wu has] The fact that she is housed in the North End is not the only problem she has with the neighborhoods.”
Mendoza-Iturralde and his brother Patrick, also a North End restaurant owner, were on an inventory of Wu critics sent to Boston police last yr.
Patrick Mendoza was also charged with multiple felonies last yr after allegedly firing several shots outside Modern Pastry during an ongoing argument with an area man.
Restaurateur desires to submit official documents soon
Although he had not filed campaign materials with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance as of Wednesday afternoon, Mendoza-Iturralde said he plans to achieve this soon.
The restaurant owner is the primary to announce his plans to run for Boston mayor in 2025. Although Wu has not officially announced her candidacy, she is anticipated to run again.
Josh Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and City Councilman Ed Flynn were each named potential challengers for the incumbent.
“I’m sure others will rise to the challenge, but I’m confident that I can have a conversation with her about what Boston needs and what will make Boston the city it has always been – not the city it is under [Wu’s] rule,” Mendoza-Iturralde told .
image credit : www.boston.com