Congressman Stephen Lynch is sitting out the District 3 race, declining to endorse either of the contenders facing off for the seat. Savin Hill’s Frank Baker and Cedar Grove’s John O’Toole both worked on Lynch’s Congressional campaign in 2001.

“So I told them early on that I’m going to stay in Washington until this race is over,” Lynch joked to the Reporter on Saturday.

Lynch, a South Boston Democrat, had previously served in the state Senate.

Asked about the City Council At-Large race, Lynch said the four incumbents -- John Connolly, Stephen Murphy, Felix Arroyo and Ayanna Pressley -- have his support, as does Michael Flaherty, a former councillor looking to regain his old seat.

Voters get to cast ballots for four candidates. Hyde Park’s Will Dorcena and Jamaica Plain’s Sean Ryan are also running.

Lynch endorsed incumbent District 2 Councillor Bill Linehan earlier this year. South Boston’s Linehan is facing off against Suzanne Lee, a former Boston Public Schools principal.

When asked about District 3, here’s what Lynch told the Reporter while visiting constituents in Adams Corner:

“I actually told them all, you know, even back when Craig Galvin was involved as well, all three of those guys -- Baker, Galvin and John O’Toole -- worked on my campaign. Frank and John both took me door to door in their respective neighborhoods. So I told them early on that I’m going to stay in Washington until this race is over. And I’ll work with whoever -- I’ll still work with both of them in the future.

But I think in a way, it’s very encouraging to see the quality of the candidates we have over here in this district council race. I think it’s a high compliment to Dorchester and District 3 that it has such wonderful, wonderful candidates. And it’s also a wonderful compliment to Maureen Feeney, the outgoing councillor, that there’s so many qualified candidates wanting to succeed her in a very, very important position.”