For political observers outside of the district, the race is less about East Boston and more about who is backing which candidate. Both Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker are seen as having favorites in the race.
The Scrum is an ongoing conversation about the politics and media from Boston to the Beltway, with WGBH News reporter Adam Reilly, WGBHNews.org senior editor Peter Kadzis, and political analyst David S. Bernstein. A new podcast hits every other week.