Walsh Tops Field in Prelims; Connolly Second; Will Face Off Nov. 5 for Boston Mayor

By David Ertischek

The next Boston mayor will be either Dorchester state Rep. Martin Walsh or At-Large Boston City Councilor John Connolly from West Roxbury.

Neither of the two distinguished themselves as a favorite with fewer than 2,000 votes separating the two, with Walsh netting 20,838 votes with 18.47%, while Connolly received 19,420 votes or 17.22%. All statistics are unofficial according to the city of Boston's website. The two will face each other on November 5.

“It’s gratifying to see that our message resonated in every neighborhood in the city,” said Connolly, at his after election party.

“I’m running to be mayor of all of Boston because every child should receive a high quality education, and every person deserves to live in a safe and healthy neighborhood. Together we can make that happen.”

Connolly also said he was "never so happy to finish second" in his life.

Finishing third was Charlotte Golar Richie with 15,536 votes or 13.77% percent, then Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley, of West Roxbury, with 12,764 votes or 11.32%.

At-Large Boston City Councilor Felix G. Arroyo gave up his seat on the council to run for mayor and finished fifth with 9888 votes or 8.77%, then former Boston School Committee member John Barros, who resigned his position to run - finished with 9138 votes or 8.10%. 

Also giving up his city council seat was District 5 Councilor Rob Consalvo, who received 8592 votes or 7.62%. Fellow city councilor, District 8's Michael Ross received 8155 votes or 7.23%.

Then came Bill Walczak with 3822 votes or 3.39%, then District 4 City Councilor Charles Yancey, who won his District 4 seat, came in with 2388 mayoral votes or  2.12%, then Charles Clemons Jr. with 1799 votes or 1.59%, and then David James Wyatt with 334 votes or 0.30%. There were 130 write-in votes or 0.12%.