Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is aggressively carving out a niche of conservative to moderate voters, raising a load of campaign cash and questions about whether he would take on Mayor Michelle Wu next year.

If Flynn ran, it would be a test of the Flynn family legacy three decades after his father Ray left the mayor’s office to become U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican.

Many voters, especially younger ones, may not even remember the Flynn name now. Even the names of Menino and Walsh are quickly becoming history.

In a statement to the Herald, Flynn appeared to soften his previous stance against running for mayor, saying, “As the city continues to face challenges, I will be part of the solution.”

In public comments last year, Flynn virtually ruled out running for mayor, saying it was “very unlikely,” adding, “I think there’s one Mayor Flynn in the family, and that was my dad.”

Flynn gave up his presidency this year because of term limits, but has still been trying to raise his profile over the past few months. He has nearly $700,000 in his war chest – enough to get a good head start on a city campaign. His contributors include heavy hitters like legendary Democratic consultant Michael Whouley, former city councilor Michael McCormack and Suffolk University Senior Vice President and former councilor John Nucci.

Flynn was the lone vote against a resolution recognizing the end of the Muslim sacred month of Ramadan, and this week questioned the safety of a people of color alternative marathon. He’s also challenged Wu and her version of Wutopia and his more liberal colleagues on a host of hot-button issues.

Flynn declined to answer whether he will seek higher office but told the Herald, “Boston is in my blood, I love this city and the people who live and work here … As the city continues to grow, I will be an extension to our residents.”

The Southie councilor could be positioning himself for a mayoral run figuring that Wu won’t run. Or he could run against Wu in 2025 in what would likely be a nearly impossible mission.

Wu won’t be unseated easily– she’s already entrenched in the seat.

But does she really want to do this and be tortured by protesters for another five years? She’s not Tom Menino. She could become president of a major college or the Harvard Kennedy School. She’s a major commodity in those circles and could likely name her price.

If Wu doesn’t run, Flynn could put together enough of a coalition of voters in East Boston, West Roxbury, Dorchester, South Boston and Charlestown to reach the final election. It doesn’t take a lot of votes to get a spot in the final in a crowded race.

“I’m an approachable, effective leader and partner to our people, a bridge that connects our residents and businesses to the services they require,” he said in his statement to the Herald.

But his strategy of appealing to more conservative to moderate voters is questionable. Rather than try to out-woke the woke crowd, he could be limiting his political future. Is that enough to overcome the new demographics of Boston?

During his council presidency, Flynn learned a hard lesson about going up against extreme left progressives on the council.

That’s what he’s up against if he runs for mayor of Boston, which has become a fertile ground for progressives like Wu.

And questioning the safety of the people of color marathon won’t help him if he runs for mayor and needs black voters.

“Neighbors have called me to say they see runners on tight sidewalks running in and out of baby carriages walking by, or running in the street on L Street,” Flynn wrote in an email.

“It is my opinion that this is seriously unsafe when considering all of the pedestrian safety issues we have had on Day Boulevard and L Street for years — that a road race would cross the boulevard and go up L Street,” he added. “I’m very concerned someone will get hurt this morning.”

The race also did not even have a permit, but there are no permits needed in Wutopia.

The bronze statue of Mayor Kevin White by Pablo Eduardo overlooks City Hall. (Joe Dwinell/Boston Herald)