12 candidates want to be the next Mayor of Boston

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – It's a crowded field. Twelve candidates in all and all of them want to be Boston's next mayor.

The preliminary election to narrow the field of people who could take over where long-time Mayor Tom Menino leaves off is three weeks away

Polls show it's a wide open race with no clear frontrunner. Candidates have spent months raising money and now they need to spend that money to try to get the voters' attention.

At this stage in the game, the candidates need to find a way to set themselves apart from one another.

Peter Ubertaccio, political analyst and Dir. of the Martin Institute at Stonehill College, says voters in Boston should brace for a major television ad push.

"This is going to be a television war because the candidates really need to heighten their name recognition," Ubertaccio told FOX 25's Sharman Sacchetti. "Now, it's all about raising their profile and driving turnout. And one way they do that is through television advertising."

Massachusetts has seen its fair share of elections recently which could result in voter fatigue.

Recent polls put City Councilor John Connolly and State Rep. Marty Walsh in the top tier with Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley close behind.

However, with a large amount of undecided voters, it is possible City Councilors Rob Consalvo, Mike Ross, Felix Arroyo, or former State Rep. Charlotte Golar Richie could stage an upset.

The preliminary election will be held Sept. 24.

The general election is in November, and Mayor Menino has not yet said who he is going to endorse.

Cox Media Group