The field of candidates hoping to win the top job at Boston City Hall is widening.
The race to replace Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is heating up, with several politicians close to declaring their candidacy.
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley is set to announce Wednesday that he will run, according to two sources reached by the Boston Globe. If so, Conley would become the candidate with the largest campaign fund, with more than $866,000 in the bank — ten times other prospective candidates’ war chests.
State Rep. Marty Walsh, who represents Dorchester, said Tuesday that he’ll also throw his hat in the race.
“I’m definitely a candidate,” Walsh told the Globe. “I’m going to announce at some point in the near future. I’m making phone calls and locking support up.”
Boston at-large city councilor Felix Arroyo sent a fundraising letter to supporters on Tuesday, saying he’s “seriously considering” a campaign.
“Your donation will make this campaign a reality,” Arroyo wrote. “I am a son of Boston. I love our city. Together, we will move Boston forward.”
City councilor John Connolly launched his campaign in February, before Menino announced that he wouldn’t run for a sixth term.
“This has become the wild West very quickly,” Connolly said. “That’s a good thing for Boston, because we’ll have a thorough debate and candidates who can speak to a number of different visions for Boston.”
City councilors Charles Yancey, Michael. Ross, Rob Consalvo, and Tito Jackson are also thinking about running.
Candidates have between April 17 and May 13 to apply for nomination papers. A primary will be held Sept. 24, with the top two candidates advancing to the Nov. 5 general election.
Follow Metro Boston on Twitter: @MetroBos
