Melrose Republican Write-In Candidate Slips Into Special Election

MELROSE, MA — A Melrose Republican appears to have earned just enough write-in votes to challenge Democratic candidate Kate Lipper-Garabedian in a special House election on Super Tuesday.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, citing unofficial results, said Brandon Reid appeared to earn more than the 150 write-in votes required to get on the March 3 ballot.

Reid told Patch he received 152 votes.

"I ... would like to mention, that 3 votes determined the result of this primary election," Reid said in a statement thanking everyone who voted for him, and congratulating Lipper-Garabedian. "Every vote truly counts! The voters wanted a real race for this seat, and I look forward to the challenge."

Reid was not on the ballot in Tuesday's election, which had three Democratic candidates for the 32d Middlesex District seat. Lipper-Garabedian, a Melrose City Councilor, overwhelmingly defeated Ann McGonigle Santos of Wakefield and Mathew Helman of Malden.

Reid intends on formally accepting the nomination by the Monday deadline.

>>>Related: Melrose To Review Procedures After Thousands Left Off Voting List

The 32nd Middlesex District includes all of Melrose, Precincts 4, 5 and 6 in Wakefield and Ward 5, Precinct 2 in Malden. The seat was formerly held by now-Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, who vacated the seat in November after winning Melrose's mayoral election.