Mike Ross

Mike Ross yesterday released a 20-page plan that starts with increased access to pre-school and other educational programs and would include a tax on gun and ammo sales in Boston to help fund more direct anti-violence programs.

First Ward Committee to Endorse in Mayoral Race

Boston, MA -- The Ward 21 Democratic Committee officially endorsed Councilor Mike Ross for Mayor on Thursday. The committee, made up of Democratic activists from parts of the Allston, Brighton, and Fenway neighborhoods, cited Ross’ innovative ideas as key to the endorsement.

“Councilor Ross stood out in a field of several qualified candidates as the one most able to use innovative ideas to create jobs, improve our schools, and modernize government,” said Lauren Mattison, the Committee Chair. “We’re excited to spend the rest of this campaign making phone calls, knocking on doors, and telling people why Mike Ross is the best candidate for Mayor.”

Nine of the 12 candidates for Mayor filled out the Committee’s questionnaire, which addressed topics such as education, housing, institutional expansion, open space, and transportation. Those candidates, including Charlotte Golar Richie, John Connolly, and Bill Walczak spoke to the community before the Committee vote on Thursday. In the end, Councilor Ross received more than enough votes to qualify for an endorsement.

The Dorchester Reporter alerts us that Felix Arroyo is buying spots on Univision and Telemundo.

Meanwhile, Mike Ross is concentrating on an Old Spice Guy-like series of 12-second Instagram video replies to questions posed to him via social media, as well as answers to questions you probably realize after the fact you would have loved to ask him, such as why Good Will Hunting is the greatest Boston movie ever:

With 86 days to go to the September 24, 2013 Preliminary Election, the following list is the Power Rankings of Boston Mayoral Candidates as July 1, 2013. Just to note, David Portnoy, John Laing, and Robert Cappucci who had been ranked previously did not make the ballot and thus have been eliminated:

1. John R Connolly, West Roxbury (Ward 20, Precinct 10)

2. Martin J Walsh, Savin Hill (Ward 13, Precinct 10)

3. Charlotte Golar Richie, Meeting House Hill (Ward 15, Precinct 3)

4. Daniel F Conley, West Roxbury (Ward 20, Precinct 20)

5. Rob Consalvo, Hyde Park (Ward 18, Precinct 18)

6. Felix G Arroyo, Jamaica Plain (Ward 19, Precinct 7)

7. Charles L Clemons Jr Dorchester (Ward 14, Precinct 4)

8. Michael P Ross, Mission Hill (Ward 10, Precinct 5)

9. Bill Walczak, Savin Hill(Ward 13, Precinct 10)

10. Charles Calvin Yancey, Mattapan (Ward 17, Precinct 3)

11. John F Barros, Uphams Corner(Ward 13, Precinct 5)

12. David James Wyatt, Roxbury (Ward 11, Precinct 2)

ANALYSIS of MAYORAL CANDIDATE RANKINGS

1. John R Connolly, West Roxbury (Ward 20, Precinct 10) (Previous Rank #2)

At a forum sponsored by several local educational groups today, candidates for mayor agreed that Boston public schools need a longer school day and need to be freed from the shackles of an oppressive central administration at Court Street.

The City Council on Wednesday considers a request by Councilor and mayoral candidate Mike Ross for a hearing to grill NStar officials about the Sunday blackout, which he said came

At an education debate at the Brooke charter school in Roslindale tonight, most candidates supported lifting or increasing the current cap on charter-school seats in Boston.

Reuben Kantor, who worked for Ross when Ross served as city council president, sent out e-mail today announcing he'll be working as Bill Walczak's campaign manager:

If Ayanna Pressley runs for Mayor as reports are now suggesting that she may, she will undoubtably be the next Mayor.

It's a no brainer. Number one, the race is wide open for a major female candidate to run and win. There are ten men who running. Many people do vote based on gender. For instance, in the race to replace Jack Hart in the State Senate, many pundits believe that some of Nick Collin's votes will be siphered away by fellow Southie native Maureen Dahill which will allow Linda Dorcena Fory to be able to walk into office. However, I believe with two women running against Collins, the only male in the Democratic primary, many women will split their vote, while many men will vote for Collins. I'm not saying it is right, but it is a reality that gender politics is a determining factor for how many people vote in elections.