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Republicans gain ground in Democrat-controlled State Senate, both parties flip seats
At least one state Senate seat and two House seats flipped to Republican control, but Democrats flipped two House seats as well.
While all of Massachusetts’s Congressional seats and electoral college votes went to Democrats this election, the Massachusetts Republican Party is claiming a “historic” victory for flipping three seats in the state-level legislative seats.
At least one state Senate seat and two House seats flipped to Republican control, which Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale said is an almost unprecedented show of power.
“If there was any question about the strength of the MassGOP, I think we answered that tonight,” Carnevale said in a statement. “Since 1984, only one Republican has flipped a state legislative seat in a presidential election year.”
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The Republican wins included ousting a 13th term incumbent Democrat sitting in the 5th Bristol District seat. But, Democrats also appeared to flip two state House seats.
Below are all the races that saw seats flip on Tuesday:
State Senate
3rd Bristol and Plymouth seat: Democrat to Republican
Republican Kelly Dooner, a Taunton City Councilor, declared victory for the 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District seat, previously held by long-time incumbent Marc Pacheco, a Democrat.
Dooner won with 45,251 votes, or 48.5 percent, over Democrat Joseph Pacheco who garnered 43,355 votes, or 46.5 percent, according to the Associated Press. Joseph Pacheco has no relation to Marc Pacheco, the Taunton Daily Gazette reported.
The flip was one of the more notable of Tuesday’s results. State Sen. Marc Pacheco, a Democrat, chose not to seek another term after more than three decades in office. Joe Pacheco, a former Raynham selectmen, conceded Wednesday morning.
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“To all those who held a sign, took a bumper sticker, volunteered in any capacity – thank you,” he wrote on Facebook. “To those who entrusted me with their vote, know I will never forget it.”
Dooner said on Facebook that she’s the first woman to hold the seat, which represents Taunton as well as Berkley, Dighton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Carver, Marion, Middleborough, and Wareham.
“I promise I will give you everything I have and do everything I can to make sure you have the representation you deserve on Beacon Hill!” Dooner wrote on Facebook. “WE DID IT, WE did it!”
State House
1st Plymouth: Republican to Democrat
With no incumbent, the 1st Plymouth seat, which represents most of the town of Plymouth, was up for grabs. Previously held by a Republican, Michelle Badger was able to flip the seat, previously held by a Republican, to the Dems Tuesday night.
“I want to thank you all for the trust, confidence and support you have placed in me by electing me as your Representative,” Badger wrote on Facebook.
State Rep. Matthew Muratore left the seat to run for the Plymouth/Barnstable state Senate seat left vacant by state Sen. Susan Moran, a Democrat. Muratore failed to secure that position, which was won by state Rep. Dylan Fernandes.
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Badger defeated GOP nominee Jesse Brown with 14,980 votes, or 52.1 percent, to his 13,776 votes, or 47.9 percent, according to the AP.
5th Bristol: Democrat to Republican
GOP challenger Justin Thurber defeated long-time 5th Bristol incumbent and a former high-ranking Democrat Patricia Haddad, 74, who was seeking her 13th term.
“This evening’s results send a clear warning to Democrats on Beacon Hill that the days of ‘business as usual’ are over,” Carnevale said. “Massachusetts voters are stepping up at the ballot box to demand more accountability and transparency.”
Haddad served as speaker pro tempore for 10 years and currently serves on the Committee on Ways and Means, according to her online bio. Haddad told the Fall River Herald News Tuesday night that she’s considering requesting a recount.
Thurber won with 12,329 votes, or 52 percent, over Haddad’s 11,371 votes, or 48 percent, the AP reported. The seat represents Dighton and Somerset, as well as some of Swansea and Taunton.
6th Plymouth: Democrat to Republican
Republican Ken Sweezey took control of a currently vacant seat, left by Democrat Josh Cutler after he was appointed to Governor Maura Healey’s cabinet earlier this year.
Sweezey, a project specialist at a biotech company from Hanson, defeated Democrat Rebecca Coletta with 14,783 votes, or 53.3 percent, to her 12,955 votes, or 46.7 percent, AP reported.
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The district represents parts of Duxbury, Halifax, Hanson, Marshfield, and Pembroke.
8th Plymouth: Republican to Democrat, with a potential recount
Dennis Gallagher, a Democrat, appeared to clinch the 8th Plymouth seat from Republican control on Tuesday. Republican Angelo D’Emilia did not seek another term to represent Raynham and Bridgewater.
Gallagher came in slightly ahead of GOP nominee Sandra Wright with 10,807 votes, or 50.4 percent. Wright garnered 10,629 votes, or 49.6 percent, AP reported.
Gallagher wrote on Facebook that he thinks the 178-vote difference will stick, and he’ll be headed to Beacon Hill.
Wright, however, called for a recount. She said there were errors with machines in Raynham “resulting in a significant number of ballots to be counted by hand.” Wright also claimed that poll workers were heard saying “oh, I did that wrong,” and “just start over.”
“Our campaign is requesting a recount to eliminate the very likely possibility of human error – we only want the most accurate count,” Wright wrote. “Whether the results of the recount are in our favor or against, we will accept them with no further objections.”
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