The most recent poll for the Boston mayoral race is in. With one month remaining before the September 24 preliminary election, the consensus remains: It’s anyone’s race. Except for, maybe, Connolly, who currently sits on top.

Sage Systems, the political consulting firm responsible for conducting the survey, found Councilor John R. Connolly and state Representative Martin J. Walsh at the top with 12 percent and 11 percent of the vote, respectively. In third, with 9 percent, sits Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, according to reports by the Boston Globe.

The remaining seven, in order of voter support, are as follows:

Councilor Rob Consalvo, 7 percent; state Rep. and city housing chief Charlotte Richie, 7 percent; Councilor Michael Ross,6 percent; Councilor Felix G. Arroyo, 6 percent; John Barros, 3 percent; Bill Walczak, 3 percent.

Thirty-five percent remained undecided.

Vice President of Sage Systems Michael McLaughlin believes that the race is still wide open. “Any candidate with a good financial base to meet, persuade and motivate voters can win,” he told the Globe.

The poll was conducted Aug. 21 and Aug. 22. All 821 voters polled had voted in at least one municipal election since 2007.

The findings of the most recent poll show a clear correlation between candidates’ campaign contributions and their most recent position in the polls. Here’s what those figures look like as of August 15th, as reported by Boston.com.

Again, both Connolly and Walsh lead the way. Walsh, with $881,300 raised, however, edges Connolly’s $804,500 raised during their campaigns.

What’s that old saying … “Follow the money”? This theory applies virtually 100 percent of the time. Using this complex “follow the money” algorithm, it’s reasonable to conclude that Connolly, despite being the slight favorite during the most recent poll, is steadily losing momentum.

Look, I get it, money doesn’t always tell us everything we need to know.

This current race for mayor is about the actual flow of money. Connolly trails Walsh by roughly $77,000 in overall fundraising. This is especially troubling for Connolly, who in February, was the first candidate to announce his bid for mayor, two months before Walsh, Conley and Ross.

Connolly’s average monthly campaign contributions are $146,300. So, theoretically, Connolly started $296,600 ahead of his competition by announcing his candidacy two months earlier.

What would have happened without that head start? Take away the nearly $300,000 Connolly had on the field and that leaves him with $508,200 since April, when his rivals entered the race. That would place Connolly fourth, behind Walsh, Conley, and Ross. Way behind, actually – about $125,000 behind Ross.

Connolly appears to be the leader in the club house with 12 percent of the vote according to the Sage Systems survey.

Feature image via @JohnRConnolly