East Boston, you could be the new battle ground on the forefront of the Boston mayoral race.

A new poll conducted by Suffolk University Political Research Center shows that the grasp City Councilor At-Large John Connolly has over East Boston is turning into a stranglehold, to the chagrin of fellow contender and State Rep. Marty Walsh.

The September 24 preliminary election, which whittled the race down to the two viable candidates, proved that Eastie was in Connolly’s favor awarding him a modest 9-point lead over Walsh. Now, the gap is growing.

According to the poll, taken in collaboration with the Boston Herald, Connolly still leads Walsh in the neighborhood but this time by a margin of 20; 51% in favor of the former, 31% in favor of the latter.

Keep in mind that these aren’t official tallies and are only the sentiments of a sample size comprising a “tightly-screened poll of 300 likely voters.”

But, if anything, these numbers are an allusion to how the mayoral race is beginning to shape. Connolly, while perhaps the unofficial leader in general, was recently endorsed by three quite reputable, though, admittedly underwhelming state legislators. In contrast, Marty Walsh garnered the support of John Barros and Felix Arroyo, two names already on the minds of voters due to their prior contention in the race, and the younger, more diverse crowd drawn to them.

You might remember that Connolly was considered a lock in the primary race, but barely eked out a W over third place Charlotte Golar Richie, whose endorsement is surely coveted by both campaigns.

Four televised debates are scheduled to take place leading up to the November 5 election day, so it’s likely that these numbers will keep swinging.