Yoon raising money for mayoral bid

By Donovan Slack, Globe Staff

Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon is fundraising in California for a possible run at the mayor's office here in Boston.

An invitation for a cocktail reception in Menlo Park, Calif. on Monday urged recipients to help Yoon in his "quest to become the first Asian American mayor of Boston" and asked for $100 per person to attend. A related flier hails, "Help us elect Sam in 2009!"

A spokesman for Yoon said the handouts were unauthorized and created by eager supporters. The spokesman, Curtis Ellis, said Yoon could not comment because he is traveling in California.

"Sam's not available," he said. "He's busy."

Another Yoon confidante who spoke on condition of anonymity said the councilor is indeed weighing a run for mayor but hasn't decided yet.

Campaigning out of state is a rather unorthodox way to test the waters for an election in Boston, although some political observers said today that it may be the smartest way to raise money in a race where the incumbent, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, is so powerful that many local donors may be loathe to publicly contribute to someone challenging him.

"That's just the reality of the situation," said Lawrence S. DiCara, a former city councilor and longtime City Hall observer.

Menino could not immediately be reached for comment today.

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.

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