Yoon Kicks Off Mayoral Campaign, Lunar New Year
Makes Formal Announcement to Crowd of Supporters

March 3, 2009

BOSTON – City Councilor-at-Large Sam Yoon formally declared his candidacy for mayor tonight to a room of over 150 supporters at his celebration of the Lunar New Year at the Chau Chow restaurant in Dorchester.

“I happen to believe that raising expectations isn’t one of the worst things you can do in government,” said Yoon. “I believe it’s one of the best things you can do. In order to become the Boston we know we can be, we must face our problems head on and be willing to be bold, innovative, and creative.”

Earlier in the day, Yoon e-mailed over 40,000 Boston voters a message linking to a video announcement posted on his new mayoral Web site at www.samyoon.com. Outside the restaurant, supporters lined Morrissey Boulevard to hold signs with the campaign’s new logo.

Yoon told the crowd that the road to victory relies on their hard work and support.

“To all of you – my volunteers, supporters, contributors, friends – you are the reason why the 54th Mayor of Boston will be a tall, skinny Asian American named Sam Yoon,” he said. “This campaign will be a lot of work, and there are no guarantees that we’ll make it. But I have a feeling this year will be different. According to tradition, in the Year of the Ox, success comes not to the wealthy or to the well-connected, but to those who are willing to work hard.”

Yoon was first elected to an at-large seat on the City Council in 2005. He has been at the forefront of numerous issues, including affordable housing, youth violence, senior safety, and making city government more open and accountable. Prior to serving on the City Council, he worked for over ten years in community-based non-profits as a community organizer and development project specialist. He lives in the Fields Corner neighborhood of Dorchester with his wife, Tina, son, Nathan, and daughter, Naomi.