Trahan Tops Tight 3rd Congressional Primary; Ballots Impounded

The Democratic race for Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District remained too close to call well into Wednesday morning. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Lori Trahan led Daniel Koh by 52 votes, according to The Associated Press.

The ballots and paperwork in the 10-person race to replace retiring U.S. Rep Niki Tsongas have been impounded due to the razor-thin margin and possibility of a recount.

Trahan got 18,368 votes to Koh's 18,316. Koh would have to request a recount for one to take place. The deadline to file for a recount is 5 p.m. Friday.

"We're communicating with all local election officials and letting them know ballots need to be under seal in containers and in a locked vault with no access to them until a recount can take place, if one does take place," Secretary of State William Galvin's spokeswoman Deb O'Malley told the State House News.

At midnight, Trahan had taken a slight lead and by 12:10 a.m. declared herself the Democratic nominee. As ballots were still being in the morning, some outlets had Koh taking a slight lead.

State Rep. Juana Matias finished third.

Also running were Alexandra Chandler, Jeffrey Ballinger, Beej Das, Leonard Golder, Rufus Gifford, Barbara L'Italien, and Bopha Malone.

The 3rd Congressional includes towns in Essex, Middlesex and Worcester counties.

The eventual winner will face Republican Rick Green in the November election. Green ran unopposed Tuesday night.

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