By Beth David, Editor
Massachusetts held its primary election on Tuesday, 9/1/26, choosing the candidates for the Democratic and Republican parties who will face off against each other in the 11/3 general election.
Incumbent US Senator, Edward Markey (D) handily beat challenger, Seth Moulton, a former US Rep. Sen. Markey will face Republican John Deaton. In Acushnet*, Markey received 607 votes to Moulton’s 288; in Fairhaven it was 1388 to 674. Mr. Deaton had no opponent.
Karl Kreisher ( BACK) and Jessica Fidalgo don’t let the pouring rain stop them from holding signs for incumbent state Rep. Mark Sylvia, D-Fairhaven, at the polls in Fairhaven during the state primary election on 9/1/26. Photo by Beth David.
Governor Maura Healey (D) was unchallenged. She will face Republican Michael Minogue, who easily won against Brian Shortsleeve statewide and locally. In Acushnet, it was 816–276 for Mr. Minogue; in Fairhaven it was 905–273.
For US Congress in the ninth District, incumbent Bill Keating (D) beat challenger Craig Swallow by a large margin. He will face Republican Terry MacAllister, who had no opponent. In Acushnet it was 572–305; in Fairhaven it was 1249–773.
In Acushnet, voters also had to choose a representative in the 8th Bristol district. Incumbent Steve Ouellette (D) had no opponent. On the Republican side, Acushnet resident Jesse St. Gelais pounded Christopher Thrasher 650 to 73. Fairhaven is not in that district.
In the 10th Bristol district, incumbent Mark Sylvia (D) had no opponent. The spot on the Republican side was also blank, but Brendalee Smith of Fairhaven launched a last minute write-in campaign. She said she was confident she would get the required 150 signatures to be on the ballot. In Fairhaven she received 79 votes. The Neighb News was unable to find out how many votes she received in the other parts of the district, which includes: Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and part of Acushnet and New Bedford.
Brendalee Smith (R) holds a sign alerting people to her write-in campaign for state Rep. in the 10th Bristol District at the polls in Fairhaven on primary day, 9/1/26. Photo by Beth David.
Turnout was 22.64% in Acushnet, and 24% in Fairhaven.
*All numbers are preliminary. Results will be finalized in a few days.
•••
Click here to download the 9/3/26 issue: 09-03-26 CarCruise
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
