By Dave Benoit
Special to the Reporter

Red Sox excitement has engulfed Boston in recent weeks, but nine men competing for four at-large city council seats are hoping their election doesn't get lost in the rolling rally.

The election is Tuesday. In a year without a mayoral race, when Dorchester's district seats are not hotly contested, and no at-large preliminary vote, the public may be a bit slow to the polls. The candidates all know it. They also believe it is an important race, and are doing their best to get the vote out.

Felix Arroyo was first elected five years ago, but still feels a nervousness he said never goes away.

"It's like a groom is waiting for the bride. You know there will be a wedding, you are just waiting to see if the bride will show up," he said. "We are ready for the election. We have done everything humanly possible, and we feel positive at this stage."

Arroyo said he hopes people get out to the polls despite the lack of media coverage, and he will be out trying to tell people why it matters.

"I think voting is a central part to our voting democracy because the mandate you get from the people has to be sound and clear."

Councillor Michael Flaherty felt the candidates were able to generate interest, despite abundant distractions.

"We have had a number of forums and we have had ample opportunity for all of us, across the city, to talk out the issues," he said. "It hasn't been from lack of effort, but it has been hard."

Flaherty ended five years in the council presidency this past winter, when Councillor Maureen Feeney was elected by her colleagues to take the helm. Since then, Flaherty has become even more visible on a variety of issues and has challenged Mayor Tom Menino on a variety of high-profile positions. He has been a vocal opponent of the mayor's plans to relocate city hall to South Boston's waterfront and a critic of the administration's towing policies.

"We have to continue to push more issues, strengthening our schools, and the supply and quality of affordable housing," he said. "I care deeply and look forward to getting back on the council."

Incumbent councilor Steve Murphy was feeling good about the color of his hair following the Red Sox victory ("I have the right red at least") and about his chances.

"I am very confident, based on my hard work, dedication to my job and the things that I have been able to accomplish," he said, listing off issues he has brought to the council's table such as licensing bike messengers, tracking keg purchases, and laboratory safety.

Perhaps most notable in recent weeks was Murphy's home rule bill that cancelled the September preliminary election, a move some criticized for dulling voter interest. It's a position that Murphy stands behind.

"I think that it would have been a waste of money… There are two frivolous candidates and it would have been a shame to waste $500,000 to $750,000 of the city's money getting someone an A in their political science course."

Murphy believes that Dorchester, where he was born, will continue to be one of his biggest assets.

"I never really left Dorchester. I have friends in every civic association and senior building," said the current Hyde Park resident. "I traditionally do well in Dorchester and I am traditionally right up in the top finishers."

For Councilor Sam Yoon, who lives near Fields Corner with his wife and two small children, this is his first re-election campaign. The cancelled election and turnout expectations worry him.

"I am feeling confident, but I am not entirely comfortable because the main factor for me is going to be turnout."

He said he is looking for 25 percent turnout to make his Tuesday.

"We have been seeing, really, a lot of lack of awareness."

As one of only two current Dorchester residents on the ballot, Yoon will look to the neighborhood to assert itself by electing him again.

"What I am hoping is that they see the value of having a resident who walks the same sidewalks, drives the same streets, shops in the same businesses, and calls Dorchester home. I'm a natural advocate for the neighborhood."

The man Yoon came back to beat in the 2005 elections, John Connolly of West Roxbury, is back on the ticket, and is widely considered to be the strongest challenger. Connolly has campaigned hard this past year to get his shot at the four incumbents.

"I feel great. We have made about 40,000 calls across the city to voters and you know we have field organization that is strong is every neighborhood."

Running a campaign that focused on attending house parties, Connolly feels, at this stage, Dorchester will back him.

"I am excited overall and I think I have support in every section of Dorchester and across a broad spectrum of civic leaders as well as elected officials," he said. With state Rep. Martin Walsh in his corner and many of the community leaders that backed Matt O'Malley in the 2005 race now backing him, Connolly sees Dot and his home neighborhood as the key to unseating an incumbent.

"It remains to be seen if I do well in Dorchester and West Roxbury. I am in good shape, and that doesn't really come down to turnout, it comes down to can I place in the top two or three. If I get top two in Dorchester and top the ticket in West Roxbury, I am in good shape."

Martin Hogan, the other Dot resident on the ballot, has been campaigning on changing the face of Boston's education. With his active presence at civic associations and community events, he hopes Dorchester will back a recent transplant from South Boston.

"Every day when I have been coming home from work I have had people stop me," said Hogan. "It's been a great experience to meet every single resident I have and I am hopeful for next Tuesday."

David Wyatt, of Roxbury, is running on a campaign of being the only Republican and the only African-American in the race. He says he has been received well as a man who is "100 percent pro-life."

"One of the reasons I am optimistic is citizens in Dorchester have said they will vote for me," he said.

Other candidates Matthew Geary and William Estrada did not return phone calls to the Reporter for comment.

Three district council races are also on the ballot in Dorchester next Tuesday. In district seven, which includes areas around Uphams Corner, incumbent Chuck Turner will face first-time candidate Julio Henriquez. Councillor Charles Yancey faces a perennial foe in J.R. Rucker in the fourth district. And City Council President Maureen Feeney will face a second challenge from Fields Corner activist Michael Cote.

The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.