Another For Mayor?

Nothing definitive, but I can report that former city councilor Gareth Saunders is considering entering this year's race for mayor of Boston.

Saunders, an African-American who represented Roxbury's District 7 from 1994 to 1999, attempted a mayoral run in 2005, but failed to get on the ballot.

If he runs this year, he would be considered a long-shot in a field that includes Michael Flaherty, Sam Yoon, and Kevin McCrea -- and, presumably, incumbent Tom Menino, who has not declared his intentions but is widely believed to be running.

Long-shot, but not a political novice -- while on the other hand, at age 50, Saunders is not really considered part of the "old guard" of Boston black leadership, which ironically includes Saunders' District 7 successor, Chuck Turner. If he is better organized and funded this time, Saunders could potentially position himself as a bridge between that old guard, and the new, young black candidates running for city council at-large. That group already includes Ego Ezedi and Scotland Willis, and there are others still likely to get in -- plus Carlos Henriquez running against Turner.

Of course, the real question for political junkies is this: who would Saunders take votes away from in the mayoral preliminary?