Other candidates include state Sen. Cheryl A. Jacques, who is openly gay and is seen as the strongest challenger to [Stephen F. Lynch], and state Sens. Brian A. Joyce and Marc R. Pacheco. Also running are former federal prosecutor (and Marine colonel) William Sinnott and housing advocate John E. Taylor. On the GOP side, state Sen. Jo Ann Sprague, a Korean War veteran, is favored to defeat William McKinney, a state committeeman.

Lynch and Pacheco -- each of whom supports a constitutional amendment banning flag desecration -- are working to appeal to conservatives in the district, and Joyce and Jacques threaten to split the liberal vote.

Even as rivals paint him as too conservative, Lynch has portrayed himself as [Joe Moakley]'s natural heir. A Boston resident has held the 9th Congressional District for more than 70 years, and Lynch would continue that tradition.