Several Massachusetts office-holders lost their reelection bids at the primary stage Tuesday, an unusual trend in a state where incumbents typically enjoy major advantages.
The Associated Press called a pair of state representative races in favor of challengers, naming Democrat Tara Hong of Lowell the victor over five-term state Rep. Rady Mom and Republican John Gaskey of Carver successful in his bid to unseat 11-term state Rep. Susan Williams Gifford.
Another influential House Democrat appears headed for defeat. Labor organizer Evan MacKay declared victory over Cambridge state Rep. Marjorie Decker after a campaign that centered criticism of Beacon Hill’s culture, though the AP has not yet called the race and the narrow margin might prompt a recount.
And in the Governor’s Council, 25-year veteran Marilyn Petitto Devaney lost her reelection bid to public defender Mara Dolan.
Voters on Tuesday also picked John Deaton as the Republican nominee to face U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and effectively filled several open seats in the Legislature where no major-party opponent looms in November.
Continuing a long-running trend, most voters did not have any choices to make Tuesday. Only 26 of 160 House districts and six of 40 Senate districts saw a contested primary in either major political party, even though all 200 districts are up for reelection every two years, allowing most incumbents to sleepwalk into reelection.
Some Democrats who did not have primary opponents will face Republicans in November, though even taking that into account, a majority of districts still have no competition.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
