News Features

Preliminary findings

Handicapping the 15-headed horse race that is Boston's at-large City Council election

By CHRIS FARAONE | August 12, 2009

Even knowledgeable City Hall insiders know they're better off scratching lotto tickets than wagering on Boston politics. But if you must gamble in the 15-way horse race that is the September 22 councilor-at-large preliminary election, then it would be wise to bet that current Democratic officeholders Stephen Murphy and John Connolly will win two of the eight positions determined on that day (as well as half of the final four spots yielded by the November 3 election).

As for the rest of the bracket (which consists of nine Democrats, two Republicans, and two unaffiliated candidates — and, remarkably, just one woman), this is our attempt to separate the true wack jobs from the mere moonbat optimists, as Howie Carr might call some of the Obama-inspired idealists vying for at-large positions. Culling information from questionnaires, recent coverage, campaign literature, and interviews, we did our best to offer snapshots of a group that actually has several impressive candidates. We've divided the field into the current favorites, the hopefuls, and the long shots. Feel free to defy the odds, and make up your own mind.

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Related: Final four?, For city council, Menino, again, More

Final four?
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For city council
When Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Sam Yoon declared their candidacies for mayor many months ago, the duo opened up what is normally a very narrow field for at-large Council candidates.
Menino, again
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Oil, oil, everywhere
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Weenie Roast!
A year ago, with scandals and embarrassments swirling around Massachusetts state politics, the Phoenix tossed some well-deserving pols on the flames in our first annual Memorial Day political roast. I'm pleased that I've been invited back.
Dead end in Dudley
September was a sexy month for the future of Boston's landscape.
The persecution rests
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L'affaire Olbermann
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Kids In The Hall
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Viral justice?
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The rumor mill
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