Hunt, Gregoire Keep Seats: MA State House Races 2018

With several hotly contested races, Republicans tried to knock several Democrats from long-held seats on the House of Representatives in the 2018 mid-term elections, but Massachusetts went blue where expected.

But in the Fifth Barnstable District, Republican Randy Hunt wins to go for a fifth term. And also for the Republicans, Timothy Whalen held on to his seat for First Barnstable District. Republican Shawn Dooley walked away with a win for 9th Norfolk District.

Democrat Danielle Gregoire was voted in again for 4th Middlesex District, beating challenger Paul Ferro. David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Democrat, took on challenger Paul Fullen, both election rookies. LeBoeuf walked away with the win for the 17th Worcester District.

For live updates on all races, go here.

In a decidedly "blue state," check out the results here as they come in for state representative races.

18th ESSEX DISTRICT

How different are state Rep. Jim Lyons, R-Andover, and his challenger in the Nov. 6 election, Tram Nguyen? They are so different that Lyons doesn't see much point in debating, and refused to meet the Andover Democrat before election day.

"My opponent has made it clear we are polar opposites. I don't see any advantage of a debate or any reason to have a debate," Lyons reportedly said. He also accused Nguyen and her supporters of negative campaigning as another reason for not participating in a debate.

While Lyons had the incumbent's advantage, Nguyen -- making her first run at elected office -- has the bigger war chest. According to campaign finance reports filed ahead of the Sept. 4 primary, Nguyen had a balance of more than $64,000, compared to $39,000 for Lyons.

Nguyen (pronounced "win") is the only candidate running in Massachusetts on Nov. 6 to pick up an endorsement from 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Lyons won his seat, which represents parts of Andover, North Andover, Boxford and Tewksbury, in 2010. In recent months he has increased his statewide profile by leading the push to impeach Salem Superior Court Judge Timothy Feeley, who has had a string of decisions called into question for being soft on crime.

Read more.

• Nguyen declared winner with 55 percent of the vote.

11th NORFOLK DISTRICT

Democratic incumbent Paul McMurty has served in the House of Representatives since 2007, representing a district that includes his hometown of Dedham. McMurtry ran as an independent in the 2007 special election to replace Representative Robert Coughlin.

John MacDonald, Republican, according to his campaign website, "is a veteran, businessman and a father who is worried about our future and wants to do something about it." MacDonald is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He served as a firefighter in the Persian Gulf War.

• McMurty wins with 67 percent of the vote.

FIFTH BARNSTABLE DISTRICT

First time Democrat candidate Jack Stanton challenges Republican Randy Hunt, a four-term incumbent. Stanton grew up in Sandwich and worked at World Bank in Mozambique, Africa. Hunt is also from Sandwich, often touts helping to pass a $2.4 million environmental bond bill to help curb the effects of climate change while in office.

• With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Hunt wins with 57 percent of the vote.

FIRST BARNSTABLE DISTRICT

Steven Leibowitz, Democrat, takes on incumbent Republican Timothy Whalen.

• With 100 percent reporting, Whalen wins with 59 percent of the vote.

FIRST PLYMOUTH DISTRICT

Incumbent Republican Mathew Muratore faces challenger John Mahoney, Jr., a Democrat, in a rematch; the two were in an extremely close race in 2016. Muratore has now held the seat since 2014.

• Muratore wins with 52 percent.

14th ESSEX DISTRICT

Christina Minicucci, Democrat, takes on challenger Ryan Losco, Republican.

• With 75 percent reporting, Minicucci leads with 66 percent of the vote at 12:28 a.m.

4th ESSEX DISTRICT

Representative Bradford "Brad" Hill hasn't faced a challenger in ten years in a November election. Democrat Allison Gustavson from Ipswich takes on the Republican. Hill was elected in 1998.

• With 9 percent reporting, Hill leads with 55 percent at 10 p.m.

4th MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

Former Marlborough City Councilor Paul Ferro, a Republican, challenges Democrat Danielle Gregoire, also from Marlborough. The district consists of Marlborough, Ward 2: Precinct 1, Wards 3, 4, 5, 6, Ward 7: Precinct 2; Northborough, Precincts 1, 3; Westborough, Precinct 1, 3.

Ferro lists healthcare as a pressing issue for the district, noting that he is a kidney transplant recipient and keenly aware of the Medicare system.

"I paid the full cost of my private insurance before then and have paid the full cost of private insurance since," said Ferro. "I have see healthcare from every angle over the past decade. American healthcare isn't just why I'm running; it's why I'm here. Right now, healthcare consumes 40 percent of the state budget. We need a legislator who has experience in our healthcare system from all angles to know how to fix our broken healthcare system."

For Gregoire, the single most pressing issue the district faces is workforce development.

"This district has the lowest unemployment rate in the state," Gregoire said. "We are creating jobs at record levels and investing in our communities at unprecedented amounts."

Read more here.

• With 86 percent reporting, Gregoire is declared the winner with 63 percent of the vote.

19th MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

Dave Robertson, the Democratic nominee running for state representative for Wilmington and all but one precinct of Tewksbury, used his Sept. 4 primary win over four other Democrats to boost his fundraising, according to campaign finance reports filed last week. Robertson raised $13,234.71, between Aug. 27 and Oct. 19 while his opponent, Republican Pina Prinzivalli, raised $5,667.00 during the same period.

Read more.

9th ESSEX DISTRICT

Matthew Crescenzo, Democrat, faces incumbent Republican Donald Wong. Wong has been a Saugus resident for 41 years, and is in his third term for Representative of the 9th Essex District. He's also a former Saugus board of selectmen member and Saugus town meeting member, and business owner, according to his campaign website.

Crescenzo was born and raised in Saugus, and attends Salem State University. He says he is running for State Representative to "make the government more responsive to the residents of District 9 Essex. He wants to create a better government, one that understands that workers who put in a 40 hour week are entitled to a living wage. That we need to do more to combat the opioid epidemic. That a young single mother and her child shouldn’t be condemned to a life of poverty and that opportunity should never be taken away from someone before they’re even too old to realize it."

• With 71 percent reporting, Wong leads with 64 percent.

9th NORFOLK DISTRICT

Shawn Dooley, Republican, faces Democrat Brian Hamlin for the 9th Norfolk District.

• With 92 percent reporting, Dooley leads with 59 percent.

2nd BARNSTABLE DISTRICT

Democrat Paul Cusack tries to unseat two-year State Rep. Will Crocker, Jr. in the 2nd Barnstable District. The district includes Barnstable and Yarmouth. According to his campaign website, Cusack is dedicated to developing an economy on Cape Cod that does not rely solely on the summer season; shifting the dialogue surrounding immigration in the district; and turning environmental plans into action

Crocker, whose family helped settle Barnstable in the 17th century, has worked in radio and television for more than 30 years. In 2011 he left broadcasting and took a job at the Bristol County House of Correction, helping inmates earn their high school diplomas and obtain employment after their release.

Since getting elected to the State House in 2016, Crocker has obtained funding for the Barnstable homeless outreach coordinator, the coastal restoration of Blish Point, the Oceanside Performing Arts Center in Hyannis and the Barnstable Applied Climate/Resiliency Center. He has also worked to pass legislation such as the Municipal Police Training Bill, Senior Property Tax Exemptions and Increased Benefit Access for Veterans and Their Families.

Read more here.

• With all precincts reporting, Crocker is declared the winner with 52 percent of the vote.

2nd BRISTOL DISTRICT

Democrat James Hawkins, a seven-month incumbent, takes on Republican challenger Julie Hall, who lost to Hawkins in a special election in April to fill a vacant seat. Hawkins is from Attleboro and a retired teacher and Hall is a retired Air Force colonel.

2nd MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

A Westford resident and small business entrepreneur looked unseat State Rep. Jim Arciero. Kathy Lynch is running for state representative in the 2nd Middlesex District, which includes Westford and Chelmsford.

Arciero, also a Westford resident, is in his fifth term in the Mass. House of Representatives. During his tenure, he has pushed for increased funding for public education, local aid and school safety; investments in infrastructure and transportation improvements; reducing the cost of student debt and ensuring benefits for veterans, according to his campaign site.

His challenger, Lynch, has worked in government, private industry and as an entrepreneur. She told Patch the most pressing issue in the district is affordable health care. Between common health issues like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimers and arthritis, the continuing opioid crisis and rising insurance costs, she says she will focus on developing a sustainable solution.

"That means prioritizing funding for preventative measures, reducing waste and fraud, reviewing eligibility requirements for Medicaid and encouraging high-quality, competitively priced treatment solutions," Lynch wrote in an email.

Read more here.

2nd NORTHFOLK DISTRICT

Tackey Chan, Democrat, takes on challenger Republican William Burke.

17th WORCESTER DISTRICT

David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Democrat, takes on challenger Paul Fullen.

David LeBoeuf and Paul Fullen face off, both for the first time, for elective office. LeBoeuf, a democrat, and Fullen, a Republican, battle for the district that consists of Leicester, Worcester’s Ward 7, and Worcester’s Ward 8, Precincts 2, 3 and 4. LeBoeuf worked for former Senate President Harriette Chandler and City Manager Michael O'Brien. Fullen is a firefighter. Both are from Worcester.

• With all precincts reporting, LeBoeuf was declared the winner with 59 percent.

10th WORCESTER DISTRICT

Democrat Brian Murray is seeking re-election as state representative for the 10th Worcester District, with Republican Sandra Biagetti nipping at his heels. The 10th Worcester District comprises Hopedale, Mendon, Milford and Medway: Precinct 1 (Norfolk Co.).

Murray, 58, graduated from Milford High School in 1977, earned a B.A. from Stonehill College and graduated in 1984 from the New England School of Law. He's been a state legislator for two years, and an attorney for 33 years. He served on the Milford School Committee from 1989 to 2001 and the Milford Board of Selectmen from 2001-2017.

Read more here.

3rd BRISTOL DISTRICT

Republican Shauna O'Connell is challenging Democrat Emily Farrer.

3rd HAMPDEN DISTRICT

Forrest Bradford, Democrat, takes on Nicholas Boldyga, Republican.

3rd NORFOLK DISTRICT

Democrat Ronald Mariano is faced off against Republican Stephan Tougas.

13th Essex District

Mark Mezzina moved to Danvers in December 2016 from North Andover and quickly got involved in local politics, winning a race to serve as a town meeting member in Danvers for precinct 3. The Austin Prep graduate is an appliance salesman for J.C. Penny. The Republican is challenging Democrat Theodore Spleliotis.

Read more here.

30th MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

Richard Haggerty, Democrat, fights for the seat against Republican Claire Malaguti.

• With all precincts reporting, Haggerty wins with 70 percent of the vote.

31st MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

Michael Day is the Democratic candidate on the ballot, taking on Republican Caroline Colarusso.

• With 47 percent reporting, Day leads with 57 percent of the vote at 12:44 a.m. Day declared victory.

12th PLYMOUTH DISTRICT

Joseph Truschelli, Republican, who lives in Plymouth, challenges Democrat Kathleen LaNatra of Kingston. The two battle to fill the seat of Rep. Tom Calter, D, who resigned to take a position as town administrator of Kingston. LaNatra is the vice-chairman of the Kingston board of selectmen and a former business owner. Truschelli is on leave as the intergovernmental relations for the Department of Veterans' Services Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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