Welcome to your snapshot of the Massachusetts 2024 primary elections. This memo breaks down the most important takeaways from the election, including important state and local races with key stats and analysis. This memo will cover everything you need to know about where things stand in the Bay State after the election.
The ICAN Playbook is a periodic newsletter featuring political news, legislative updates, and key insights providing you with a comprehensive overview of the issues that matter most to ICAN’s most committed supporters. This is a special edition highlighting the results of the 2024 Massachusetts Primary Election.
United States Senate Race
The Massachusetts primary on September 3, 2024, largely reinforced the state’s Democratic dominance. Incumbent Senator Elizabeth Warren ran unopposed in her bid for a third term and will face John Deaton, the Republican nominee who won with 64.6% of the vote, outpacing Robert Antonellis (26.2%) (*ICAN Endorsed) and Ian Cain (9.2%). Warren is expected to have a significant advantage in this heavily Democratic state.
In the U.S. House races, all nine Democratic incumbents secured their nominations without opposition. The most notable Republican primary occurred in District 8, where Robert Burke won 46% of the vote to challenge Rep. Stephen Lynch in November.
– – – –
Special Write-In Campaign
In the Massachusetts Democratic primary, a symbolic write-in campaign was launched in honor of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American hostage who was tragically executed last week. Spearheaded by local leaders Evelyn Stein and Mauricio Karchme, the initiative encourages voters to write in Hersh’s name as a protest vote against Senator Elizabeth Warren. Originally intended to raise awareness about Hersh’s captivity in Gaza, the campaign now serves as a tribute to his memory, turning this political statement into a powerful reminder of the ongoing need to free the hostages and secure Israel.
State Representative Race: 12th Middlesex District
Greg Schwartz, a doctor and former Newton City Councilor, won the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 12th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Brookline and Newton. Schwartz secured 40% of the vote, while his opponents, Rick Lipof (*ICAN Endorsed) and Bill Humphrey—both Newton City Councilors—each garnered 30%. With no Republican challenger in the November general election, Schwartz’s victory effectively guarantees his seat in the State House, where he will represent parts of Brookline and Newton. Schwartz was endorsed by retiring Representative Ruth Balser, marking a smooth transition in leadership for the district.
Brookline precincts 5, 13A, 14, and 15 fall within the 12th Middlesex District, solidifying the area’s representation under Schwartz’s leadership. Brookline’s other state representatives, Tommy Vitolo, Kevin Honan, and Bill MacGregor, ran unopposed, as did State Senator Cindy Creem.
Voter Turnout: Low, but Consistent with Expectations
Voter turnout in the primaries was lower than expected, with an estimated 750,000 votes cast primarily through early and mail-in voting. The low turnout is attributed to the limited number of competitive races, with most Democratic incumbents running unchallenged. As a result, enthusiasm was subdued, particularly among Democratic voters, which may signal challenges for mobilization in November.
Why It Matters
-
Democratic Stronghold: With minimal opposition in the primaries, the results highlight the Democratic Party’s control over Massachusetts politics, making Republican candidates’ chances in the general election slim.
-
Republican Challenges: Although Deaton won the GOP primary decisively, he faces an uphill battle against Warren. Similarly, Burke’s candidacy against Lynch in District 8 will test whether Republicans can make any inroads in the deep-blue state.
-
Voter Engagement: The lack of competitive races and low turnout reflect a disengaged electorate, raising concerns about overall voter participation in the general election.
Endorsement Results
The results of the Massachusetts primaries highlight the importance of ICAN not only in endorsing candidates but in engaging with them early to ensure they are well-versed in our core issues. While our endorsed candidates didn’t prevail, these outcomes underscore the need to expand our efforts in candidate education and issue advocacy from the start of the campaign cycle. Additionally, ICAN must focus on strengthening our grassroots networks and improving voter outreach strategies. By expanding our ability to mobilize communities and communicate our message effectively, we can create a stronger foundation for future electoral success.
On September 3, 2024, Massachusetts held primaries for its Governor’s Council, an eight-member body tasked with advising the state on gubernatorial appointments, pardons, commutations, and warrants. While many races were uncontested, a few key districts saw competitive Democratic primaries.
District 1: Uncontested Victory
Incumbent Joseph Ferreira, a Democrat, ran unopposed and secured his position in District 1 with ease. His uncontested race mirrored a broader trend across many of the council’s seats.
District 2: Competitive Democratic Primary
In District 2, Tamisha Civil emerged victorious in a heated four-way Democratic primary, securing 38.7% of the vote with 27,247 votes. Her competitors, Sean Murphy (22.4%), Muriel Kramer (22.0%), and David Reservitz (16.9%) *(ICAN Endorsed) split the remainder of the votes. Civil’s win positions her strongly for the upcoming general election. On the Republican side, Francis Crimmins ran unopposed in his primary and will face Civil in November.
District 3: A Tight Democratic Battle
The District 3 Democratic primary was closely contested, with Mara Dolan narrowly defeating incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney. Dolan garnered 52.2% of the vote with 45,274 votes, edging out Devaney’s 47.8%. This district race was one of the night’s most competitive, reflecting a split in Democratic voter sentiment.
Why It Matters
- Governor’s Council Influence: The Governor’s Council holds significant sway over judicial appointments and other key state decisions, making these primary outcomes critical to Massachusetts’ political landscape.
- District 3 Shift: Mara Dolan’s defeat of long-standing incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney marks a significant change in the Governor’s Council and could signal shifts in political strategy within the state.
- General Election Focus: With Republicans running unopposed in key districts, the general election will be a pivotal moment, particularly in District 2, where Tamisha Civil’s win sets up a competitive race against Francis Crimmins.
The results in these primaries are a preview of the general election, where Democrats remain the dominant force but face challenges from Republicans in a few key districts.
Detailed Massachusetts Primary Election Results 2024
This New York Times interactive page provides real-time updates on the 2024 Massachusetts Primary Election. It covers results for U.S. Senate, House races, and state legislative seats, offering breakdowns by candidate and district. The page is continuously updated as votes are counted and reported.
The New York Times. (2024, September 3). Massachusetts Primary Election Results 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/03/us/elections/results-massachusetts-primary.html
Massachusetts Governor’s Council Primary Results
Results of the September 3, 2024, Massachusetts Governor’s Council primary elections. It highlights key races, including competitive Democratic primaries in Districts 2 and 3, where Tamisha Civil and Mara Dolan emerged victorious. The Governor’s Council plays a critical role in overseeing gubernatorial appointments, making these results significant for the state’s political future.
WCVB. (2024, September 3). Massachusetts Governor’s Council primary results (Sept. 3, 2024). https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-governors-council-primary-results-sept-3-2024/61926110
Primary Election Results: Schwartz Wins State Rep Race
Results of the Democratic primary election in Massachusetts’ 12th Middlesex District, where Greg Schwartz won the race for State Representative. It also covers the unopposed races in Brookline for other state representatives and the primary win by Mara Dolan for the Governor’s Council seat.
Brookline News. (2024, September 3). Primary election results: Schwartz wins State Rep race, Dolan takes Governor’s Council seat. https://brookline.news/primary-election-results-schwartz-wins-state-rep-race/
Upcoming Key Dates & Events
- September 10
- Presidential Debate (ABC)
- Delaware Primary
- New Hampshire Primary
- Rhode Island Primary
- September 17
- Pennsylvania State House Districts 195 and 201 Special Election
- September 18
- New Jersey U.S. House District 10 Special Election
- October 1
- Vice-Presidential Debate (CBS)
- November 5
- 2024 Presidential Election
- 2024 General Election
Don’t miss out on important updates. Subscribe and be the first to know about our latest news, events, and opportunities to take action.
Your contribution plays a vital role in advancing our work. By donating today, you’re helping to protect and promote the values we stand for. Every dollar you give directly supports our initiatives, allowing us to continue our advocacy, outreach, and educational efforts. Together, we can make a significant impact. Please consider making a donation to invest in a better future.