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It happens every election cycle.

Some candidates get taken seriously-- think of gubernatorial candidates Charlie Baker and Martha Coakley, or of Maura Healey, the Democratic nominee for Attorney General. Meanwhile, other candidates get dismissed as irrelevant -- by their opponents, the media, and the general public.

Which raises an age-old question: do we write off some politicians because they're not viable? Or are they not viable because we write them off?

This week, The Scrum podcast took a closer look at the struggle that some candidates face trying to get media coverage and the public to see them as contenders. Featuring interviews with independent Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates Evan Falchuk and Jeff McCormick.

The Scrum also spoke with Dave D'Arcangelo, a Republican running for Secretary of State, and Mike Heffernan, a Republican running for State Treasurer. Listen to their interviews below.