39 days to Nov. 5. The first issue the finalists have decided to spar over became clear yesterday: The Boston version of the People’s Pledge, an attempt to limit the influence of outside groups that was first proposed by Republican Scott Brown and modified by City Councillor Rob Consalvo. The pledge was so wildly popular with voters that Consalvo placed seventh out of twelve in the preliminary. City Councillor At-Large John Connolly, who had called the pledge a gimmick when Consalvo proposed it, signed it during the preliminary and is now calling on state Rep. Marty Walsh to join him in the final. Walsh has also called the pledge a gimmick, but in July had said if the other 11 candidates were willing to sign it, he would, too. At yesterday’s hastily convened press conference on City Hall Plaza, Walsh again called the pledge a gimmick and said he would not sign the pledge because he didn’t “trust” Connolly and called him a “corporate lawyer.” On New England Cable News last night, Connolly said, “I’m disappointed that he attacked my character, but if we signed a pledge like this, there are penalties built in if the rules are broken.” The slap fight continued on WGBH last night and on FOX25’s morning show today.

ODDS & ENDS: Via Universal Hub, a map of winners by ward.....The Boston Municipal Research Bureau offers this primer (PDF) on the next mayor and union contracts, which will likely become an issue on the campaign trail with an arbitration award making news in this morning’s Herald and Globe.....Priti Rao of the Mass. Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC), which endorsed Charlotte Golar Richie in the preliminary, and former City Councillor John Tobin talk politics on “All About Boston”.....Solomon McCown will be holding a post-election forum on Nov. 14.

THE DAY AHEAD: A list of happenings, as provided by the campaigns. Schedule entries are subject to change:

State Rep. Marty Walsh

3:15 p.m. Rep. Walsh will attend the New Citizen Swearing in Ceremony (Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., South Boston)

4:30 p.m. Rep. Walsh will attend the post-event gathering for the Marie J. Conley Annual Golf Tournament (Florian Hall, 55 Hallet Street, Dorchester)

6:00 p.m. Taste of All Countries Gala (Unity Sports Cultural Club, 10 Dunbar Avenue, Dorchester)

City Councillor At-Large John Connolly

Chinese Historical Society of New England Annual Dinner
6:30 PM
(Event begins at 6:00 PM)
China Pearl, 9 Tyler Street, Chinatown, MA

Speaking with players and parents at Dorchester Eagues Pop Warner
7:30 PM
Roberts Field, Dorchester, MA

Caribbean-American Cultural Event
8:00 PM
(Event begins at 6:00 PM)
Unity Sports, 10 Dunbar Avenue, Dorchester Center, MA