Cross-posted from APA for Progress:

Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon may not have made it to the second stage of the mayoral election in November, but don’t count him out yet. In a historic move, Yoon will be campaigning with Michael Flaherty on an innovative “joint ticket” with Flaherty for Mayor and Yoon for Deputy Mayor.  The “unusual partnership,” announced this morning at City Hall by the candidates, is believed to be a first, according to the Boston Globe.

Deputy Mayors serve at the pleasure of the Mayor, so Yoon’s position would not guaranteed for the full term.  Incumbent Mayor Menino does not have a Deputy Mayor; the Globe reports that former Mayor Kevin H. White was the last to use one.  Menino’s campaign accused Yoon and Flaherty of being deliberately misleading, since Deputy Mayor is not a city charter created position and Yoon’s name could not appear on the November ballot.

In an e-mail sent to supporters earlier today, Yoon explained,

Over the next several weeks, we will be unveiling our plans for the first 100 days of our administration.

This will include enacting term limits for Mayor - putting an end to the ‘Mayor for Life’ culture in Boston that has held us back. The Boston Redevelopment Authority has been a breeding ground for back-room dealing and misuse of funds. Michael has asked that as Deputy Mayor I lead the effort to dismantle the BRA and replace it with a true community planning agency.

Yoon’s political career has already been marked with historic firsts.  Not only has he been Boston’s first Asian American City Councilor and first major Asian American candidate for mayor, but he has been on the progressive forefront of challenging Boston’s political establishment.  It’s no surprise that Yoon is continuing in that role by staying in the fight against an entrenched incumbent through creative solutions.  The joint ticket also helps answer the question that’s been on a lot of people’s minds, at least for now - whether Yoon’s recent loss would stall the rising star’s political career.  And of course, if the Flaherty-Yoon ticket achieves victory together, it sets Yoon up for another shot at Boston’s highest office.  On the other hand, it ties Yoon’s political future to Flaherty’s performance - both in this election and possibly in office.

A lot of questions remain.  Will Yoon and Flaherty be able to put aside their past differences on the City Council?  The Globe also reported that former Councilor Maura Hennigan “noted that Flaherty and Yoon have some sharp disagreements over policy. Yoon ran on a campaign to weaken the powers of mayor, saying the system, no matter who served as mayor, is fundamentally broken and unfair to the public. Yoon also called for a return to a partially elected School Committee. Flaherty never embraced that proposal.”  And if Flaherty wins, will he keep his promises to Yoon?  Will Yoon have enough freedom of action in a position that exists entirely at the whim of the Mayor?  Whatever the outcome, Sam Yoon has at least more than delivered on his promise to make this race one of the most interesting in Boston in a generation.