Flynn to Campaign for Governor

Vatican Ambassador and former Boston mayor Raymond L. Flynn has decided to run for governor of Massachusetts this year, according to reports in the Boston Globe.

Flynn, who has mulled a gubernatorial bid since he left the state last July, told two state labor union officials last week at an AFL-CIO conference in Florida that he had made up his mind to become a candidate, the Globe reported.

The former mayor, who is of Irish descent, returns to the state in two weeks to participate in St. Patrick's Day events and many feel he will officially declare his candidacy then.

The Globe also reported yesterday that Flynn was denied a teaching post at Northeastern University when officials at the school realized he only wanted a part-time post, which would have allowed him to make a gubernatorial bid.

Flynn's decision to run would increase the number of Democratic candidates challenging Gov. William F. Weld '66 from three to four. Sen. Michael J. Barrett '70 (D-Cam-bridge), Rep. Mark Roosevelt '78 (D-Beacon Hill) and former Sen. George Bachrach of Watertown have already announced their candidacy for the state's highest post.

Spokespersons for the Barrett and Roosevelt campaigns said yesterday that a Flynn candidacy would help the gubernatorial race.

"We don't have a clue if he will run, but we would welcome him into the race, as we would any other Democrat," said Dwight Robson, director of operations for the Roosevelt campaign. "Flynn will add something to the debate, but we are confident in our ability to promote Mark."

Barrett campaign manager David M. Osborne said that Flynn's opposition to abortion will help their campaign and will increase interest in the June primary.

"We anticipate that [Flynn] will run and if he does, it will galvanize support for Mike," Osborne said. [Flynn's] anti-choice history as mayor willmake him undesirable to many women activists."

Osborne added, "Thousands of men and womenacross the state will take the primary moreseriously, because of the prospect of ananti-choice candidate.

Osborne added, "Thousands of men and womenacross the state will take the primary moreseriously, because of the prospect of ananti-choice candidate.