Seems that instead of unifying the black community around a single candidate, a closed-door meeting of elders may have only fractured it.

The Golar Richie campaign yesterday issued a statement denying involvement in the effort to get certain candidates (who happen to be named Yancey, Clemons and Wyatt) to drop out:

No one from the Charlotte Golar Richie Campaign attended the event, nor did Charlotte or the campaign have any affiliation with the event or the individuals involved.

Charlotte Golar Richie was endorsed by former state Senator Bill Owens, and former state reps Royal Bolling, Doris Bunte, and Shirley Owens-Hicks.

The Globe reports a bevy of mayoral hopefuls attended a Boston Common rally for higher wages for fast-food workers. The story doesn't mention Mike Ross, but maybe because he protested with the workers earlier in the day

Dan Conley, who lost the support of East Boston's state rep in calling for a citywide referendum on the Suffolk Downs casino, yesterday released a five-point plan for East Boston:

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.

Joe Nucci tries to will Charlotte Golar Richie into the final. Adrian Walker, though, says he would have trouble supporting somebody whose positions are all half baked on a waffle iron.

*The following is the ballot order for the September 24, 2013 Preliminary Election for Boston Mayor:

1. Charles L Clemons Jr

2. Bill Walczak

3. Charles Calvin Yancey

4. Rob Consalvo

5. Charlotte Golar Richie

6. Michael P Ross

7. Martin J Walsh

8. John R Connolly

9. Felix G Arroyo

10. David James Wyatt

11. Daniel F Conley

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 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.

Watch the entire forum.

John Barros, Charlotte Golar Richie, Mike Ross, John Connolly, Bill Walczak and Dan Conley all said they favor increasing the number of charter seats in Boston.

Felix Arroyo, Charles Yancey and Rob Consalvo all opposed it.

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports on a gathering of nine mayoral candidates at a forum sponsored by the West Roxbury Courthouse Neighborhood Association.

The candidates were mostly non-specific in their answers regarding plans for improving the city, sticking to generalities like "bringing people together," "broadening opportunities" and "improving schools," though Arroyo brought up his proposed "Invest in Boston" bill, which would invest Boston’s money in banks that invest in Boston to help promote economic development.

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.