"People want neighborhood services, and I will be working on those," Wolf says, taking a line from O'Neill's campaign notebook.

She adds that she's concerned with all voters and cites her campaign's emphasis on economic security and better schools and job training.

City councillor and former mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 says Wolf's support of expanded public health benefits, a higher minimum wage and the "expiring use" provision, designed to create affordable housing, endeared her to working class voters and tenants in this formerly rent-controlled city.

"She did very well in public housing and very well with minority constituents," Reeves says.

Galluccio earned the backing of numerous labor unions and an endorsement from two newspapers.

And in one black precinct, Galluccio beat Wolf by a two-to-one margin because of Wolf's opposition to the opening of a predominantly-black school in west Cambridge.

"Anyone who's opposed to bringing young black youths into the city does not deserve black votes," Damon Brooks, a black resident, told the Cambridge Chronicle.

Wolf says she'll stay in contact with voters, and seek clout by campaigning for U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and President Clinton.

"We made a conscious effort to reach out to all people in the district," Wolf says. "Remember, I was a local elected official and have worked with people all over the city."

Speaking of Wolf's 20-plus years of political experience, Reeves says: "I think she will do all that is humanly possible to represent every voice in the district. I don't think she will be anything other than gracious."

Graciously bridging the gap is Wolf's mission. The liberal Democrat, who once took a freedom of speech lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court, and won, is working hard to please more moderate North Cantabrigians, who stick with the Democratic Party because of its ties to labor.

She acknowledges the difficulty of filling the shoes of Flaherty, who enjoyed immense popularity and ruled the state house in the old-time political tradition.

North Cambridge hasn't changed much over the years, but in the aftermath of rent control's abolition by statewide referendum two years ago, there's been an influx of upscale residents in all neighborhoods.

For Wolf, that means embracing Flaherty and O'Neill's tradition while pursuing her own issues.

"All politics is definitely still local. This district is used to good constituent services, and I will continue work on those things," she says.

Sounds like something with which everyone would agree.

The Cambridge City Council did not meet Monday, due to Yom Kippur. It will meet next Monday at City Hall at regularly scheduled time