Joyce’s tactics, though, have drawn criticism since he began fund raising for the race while Moakley was still alive. At the time, Moakley’s aides including Clark condemned the move as inappropriate in the press.

In the coming weeks, fundraising will become increasingly vital as candidates prepare to run ads in Boston—one of the costliest television markets in the country—in advance of the Democratic primary on Sept. 11 and the general election on Oct. 16.

Money alone will not win the race, though, and the candidates face another major hurdle in their race to represent the Ninth: voter turnout. With no other state or national elections being held this year, the candidates are on their own to get voters to the polls.

“Mobilizing their supporters will be key. If you can turn out the true believers that’s how you can win,” says Andrea L. Campbell, an assistant professor of government at Harvard.

She cites the example of Cambridge’s own representative. Michael G. Capuano (D), then the mayor of Cambridge, who edged his opponents in a crowded race for the Eighth District largely because he attracted the support of ethnic communities in Somerville.

Clark, who has watched Boston politics closely for many years, agrees.

“This race really is similar to the Eighth district race. Candidates in this race will not only have to identify their supporters, they will have the added challenge of making sure their voters get out to vote,” he says.