Voters in Massachusetts went to the polls on Tuesday, 9/6, for the state’s primary election. Democrats and Republicans picked their candidates to face off in the election on November 8. As of press time only the Democratic race for governor had been called by the Associated Press.
In an expected victory, Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey easily won the primary for the Democrats, setting her up to possibly be the first female governor in the state, and the first openly lesbian governor in the country. She beat Sonia Chang-Diaz, a state senator in the 2nd Suffolk district. At press time, the spread was about 85% to 15% with almost 73% of precincts reporting. On the Republican side, it started out considerably closer, but by press time Geoff Diehl had been declared the winner over Chris Doughty, 55.6% to 44.4%.
For Lt. Governor, on the Democratic side, Kimberley Driscoll was declared the winner with 45.8% of the votes, followed by Eric Lesser with 34.1% and Tami Gouveia with 20.1%. The Republican candidates were in a tight race with Leah Allen ahead of Kate Campanale 51.6% to 48.4%. The race had not been called by press time.
Secretary of State William Galvin faced down a challenge from Tanisha Sullivan, 70–30% on the Democratic Side. On the Republican side, only one candidate, Rayla Campbell, was on the ballot.
In the Attorney General’s race, an open seat due to Healey’s run for governor, the race was called for Andrea Campbell with 50% of the votes, followed by Shannon Liss-Riordan with 34.7% and Quentin Palfrey pulling up the rear with 15.3% on the Democratic side. On the Republican side James McMahon was the only candidate.
Closer to home, the race for Sheriff had a very tight race with Nicholas Bernier with 36.2%, followed by Paul Heroux with 35.9% and George McNeil with 27.9% on the Democratic side, and 75.14% of precincts reporting. On the Republican side, incumbent Thomas Hodgson was unchallenged.
Fairhaven resident Rick Trapilo tried to unseat incumbent William Straus for state rep in the 10th Bristol district on the Democratic side, with Straus getting 77.2% to Trapilo’s 22.8% with 80% of precincts reporting. On the Republican side, it was a bit closer, with Fairhaven resident Bob McConnell** receiving 46.4% of the vote, and Jeffrey Swift of Mattapoisett receiving 53.6% with 100% of precincts reporting**. In his home town, Mr. McConnell received 686 votes to Mr. Swift’s 376 as of press time; Straus received 1586 to Trapilo’s 608 in Fairhaven.*
For Bristol County District Attorney, incumbent Thomas Quinn (D) received 1525 votes, Shannon McMahon received 624; countywide, Quinn was declared the winner with 65.7% of the votes to 34.3% for McMahon with 80% of precincts reporting by press time.
Fairhaven Unofficial
Governor: Healey/1778, Chang-Diaz/368; Diehl/683, Doughty/460
Lt. Governor: Driscoll/901, Gouveia/556, Lesser/542; Allen/610, Campanale/424
Atty. General: Campbell/831, Liss-Riordan/816, Palfrey/383.
Sec. of State: Galvin/1557, Sullivan/567
Sheriff: Heroux/1016, Bernier/672, McNeil/413.
Acushnet Unofficial
Governor: Healey/709, Chang-Diaz/183; Diehl/412, Doughty/245
Lt. Governor: Driscoll/352, Gouveia/268, Lesser/236; Allen/364, Campanale/250.
Atty. General: Campbell/338, Liss-Riordan/342, Palfrey/184.
Sec. of State: Galvin/677, Sullivan/210.
State reps Prec. 1 & 2A: Straus/227, Trapilo/91; McConnell/110, Swift/82.
State reps Prec. 2&3: Schmid (D) unopposed/487; Gendreau (R)/ unopposed/344
Sheriff: Bernier/419, Heroux/244, McNeil/192
*NOTE: All results are numbers available as of press time on Tuesday evening; results may change after all the votes are counted. Fairhaven and Acushnet results are unofficial and will be certified in the next few days.
**Updated from previous versions to reflect the winner.
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