Devaney, Elliott Win By Narrow Margins In Democratic State Primary

CHELMSFORD, MA — The vote counting went beyond Election Day and into Wednesday in two local Democratic primaries. Both races were extremely close throughout and ultimately were decided by the narrowest of margins.

In the primary for 3rd District Governor's Council, Marilyn Petitto Devaney, of Watertown, won what ultimately will be her 13th term on the council — there was no candidate on the Republican side.

But challenger Mara Dolan, of Concord, certainly made it a nail-biter

According to the Associated Press, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Devaney got 50,391 votes (50.9 percent), while Dolan received 48,689 votes (49.1 percent). The difference was just 1,702 votes.

Meanwhile, in the primary for state representative in the 16th Middlesex District, Rodney Elliot, of Lowell, received 1,875 votes (51.4 percent), while Zoe Dzineku, also of Lowell, got 1,773 (48.6 percent), according to the AP. The difference was 102 votes.

The Governor's Council provides advice and consent on gubernatorial appointments, pardons and commutations, and warrants for the state treasury. It includes eight councilors and the lieutenant governor.

Devaney will return to the council, but only after some controversy during the campaign.

According to WGBH, in live appearances and on her website, Devaney highlighted endorsements from Congressman Jim McGovern and Democratic nominee for auditor Chris Dempsey.

However, McGovern and Dempsey's representatives said those endorsements had not happened,

Throughout the campaign, Devaney touted her accomplishments on the council, like establishing the very first Governor's Council website and determining the Parole Board had not been in compliance for 30 years because it only featured prosecutors. Devaney said she worked to change the makeup of the board.

On Wednesday, Dolan, a public defender, wrote on social media that she had called Devaney to concede.

"What a great race! We flipped at least 13 towns, even Watertown. Only 1,400 votes out of over 98,000 made the difference," Dolan wrote, when 1,400 still was the difference separating the candidates. "I have called to concede to the incumbent. This race was a joy and a labor of love. I'm not stopping."

Later, Dolan told Patch that she was glad to educate voters about the work of the Governor's Council, which she called the gateway through which everyone must pass before they serve in our judicial branch.

"(The campaign) was also (a chance) to shine a light on our courts, where far too often people who suffer from substance use disorder receive punishment instead of support. This race shows how much support there is for the kind of change only a public defender can bring," Dolan said.

After winning the Democratic primary for state representative in the 16th Middlesex District, Elliott will face Karla Miller in the general election. Miller ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Elliott, who currently works as an assistant regional manager for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, reflected on the primary and looked ahead to the general election.

"I would like to thank all the voters and all those who supported me throughout this election," Elliott said in a statement to Patch. "Zoe Dzineku and I worked hard campaigning day in and day out and we focused on issues and how best to improve our communities."

Elliott continued: "Moving forward, I look forward to continuing to reach out to even more residents in Lowell and North Chelmsford, listen to their concerns and priorities, and earn their votes in November. "

On his campaign website, Elliott said his priorities in office would include: evaluating the Massachusetts School Building Authority formula and increasing funding for schools, supporting an increase in Chapter 90 funding for road repairs, and supporting legislation to fund more mental health counseling in schools.