District 3 City Councillor Frank Baker claimed victory in his race against first-time candidate Stephen McBride about 90 minutes after the polls closed. Ultimately, he won by a 63-38 percent margin over his opponent. At a gathering at the Landmark Publick House in Adams Village, Baker told the Reporter that he was “feeling good” about the validation from voters in his district.

“I’ve been here for 10 years. I think it’s a good showing that my district came out 2-1 to support me and I’m excited for the next term.”

Baker thanked his opponent, Stephen McBride, noting that “it takes a lot for anyone to put their name on the ballot.” But, he added, “we work hard, myself and my team. As a district city councillor it’s about availability and being willing to get in the middle of situations and trying to figure them out.”

•••
Boston voters considered three ballot questions on Tuesday and rendered decisive verdicts on each in unofficial results. Question 3 asked voters if they supported an elected school committee, an invitation they took readily to say “yes” to, by some 79 percent. The measure was non-binding, but the balloting results showed clearly where voters stand on the issue.

On Question 1, they approved an amendment to the city charter to give city councillors the ability to amend the mayor’s budget, effectively propose their own budget, and even overrule the mayor with a supermajority vote, a serious change for the city’s traditional strong-mayor system.

Question 2 produced a landslide vote against Eversource’s plans to build an electric substation in East Boston along the Chelsea Creek near a park and residential neighborhood. More than 83 percent of voters said they opposed the plan.