City Council race updates

Preparations for the Boston City Council's primaries on Sept. 25 have been less than enthralling. There's a fundraiser here, some sign holding there, but so far there has been little excitement. And because the city council voted not to have a preliminary election for the at-large seats, there are only two districts where there are enough candidates to hold a September election and narrow the field.

On that front, there are two pieces of news to report:

In the District 9 race, where there is a crowded six-candidate field, Tim Schofield today announced the endorsement of At-large City Councilor Sam Yoon, the city's first Asian-American councilor.

In the less crowded three-candidate race in District 7, Carlos Henriquez, a young upstart from Roxbury, today issued a statement taking to task his chief opponent Chuck Turner, who has represented the district since 2000.

"I am fed up with reading the negative headlines about my community," Henriquez said. "I am fed up with mourning the loss of our youth instead of celebrating their successes. I have had enough of seeing my neighborhood street and parks covered in trash. I have had enough of our leaders doing nothing about it."

Then, without referencing Turner by name, he said, "I am asking residents to choose whether they want a councilor who works hands-on with pastors, community groups, and youth to stop the war in our streets, or one fighting to stop the war in Iraq. I am asking them to choose whether they want a councilor who is visible day to day in the community or one that is only seen during an election year."