Because voters who cast first-place ballots for Walsh tended to support Galluccio over McSweeney as a second choice, Galluccio will win Walsh's position.

Although Walsh is out of the political picture for now, observers said he may return.

In fact, some councillors said they expect Walsh to run in the next election, thanks to Lynch's ruling.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he ran again," Russell said. Traintafillou agreed that his political reemergence is a definite possibility.

"I would expect anything from him," she added.

Walsh, who could not be reached for this article, told the Cambridge Chronicle last week that, if he did run, he would expect to win.

"I feel like I could top the ticket it I can tomorrow morning," he said.

While Traintafillou agreed that Walsh has retained his political following, she argued that many voters would be put off by his criminal record.

"There is always a certain segment that ascribes to his political views, but there are also others that could represent them," she said.

Although Walsh has not made it clear whether or not he will run again, he has left the door open.

"I'll have to make my mind up in time," Walsh told the Chronicle. "I'll have to do what's best for me."