Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2016

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## Contents

* 1 Vacancies filled
* 2 Breakdown of 2016 special elections
* 3 How vacancies are filled
* 4 Special elections
* 4.1 March 1, 2016
* 4.2 May 10, 2016
* 5 See also
* 6 Footnotes

Six seats were vacated in the Massachusetts State Legislature in 2016. All six seats were filled through special elections.

##### Vacancies filled[edit]

* State House Twelfth Essex: The seat was vacant following Leah Cole's (R) resignation on September 28, 2015.

* State House Ninth Plymouth: The seat was vacant following Michael Brady's (D) election to the state Senate on November 3, 2015.

* State House Third Worcester: The seat was vacant following Stephen DiNatale's (D) election to be the Mayor of Fitchburg in the November 2015 general election.

* State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk: The seat was vacant following Robert Hedlund's (R) election to mayor of Weymouth in 2015.

* State Senate First Suffolk & Middlesex: The seat was vacant following Anthony Petruccelli's (D) resignation on January 21, 2016.

* State House Tenth Essex: The seat was vacant following Robert Fennell's (D) resignation on February 24, 2016.[1]

#### Breakdown of 2016 special elections[edit]

Across the country in 2016, special elections for state legislative positions were held for a variety of reasons:

* 23 were due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
* 11 were due to a retirement
* 11 were due to the incumbent accepting another job
* 12 were due to a death
* 4 were due to a conviction
* 3 were due to filling a remaining term
* 1 was due to an expulsion

The partisan breakdown for vacancies were as follows:

* 37 Democratic seats
* 28 Republican seats

Partisan Change from Special Elections

Party  | As of Vacancy  | After Special Election
| Democratic Party | 37  | 39
| Republican Party | 28  | 24
| Independent  | 0  | 2
Total |  65  |  65

Note: The table above reflected information for elections that were held—not total vacant seats.

#### How vacancies are filled[edit]

If there is a vacancy in the Massachusetts General Court, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar.[2] Local governments that conduct special elections can receive reimbursement from the state treasurer's office for costs incurred.[3][4]

See sources: Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 141 and Massachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 24

## Special elections[edit]

### March 1, 2016[edit]

☑ Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District|

|

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District was called for March 1. A primary election took place on February 2. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 29, 2015.[5]

The seat was vacant following Leah Cole's (R) resignation on September 28, 2015. She resigned to focus on her nursing career.[6]

Thomas Walsh defeated James Moutsoulas and Craig Welton in the Democratic primary. Stephanie Peach defeated Jaclyn Corriveau in the Republican primary. Christopher Gallagher ran as an unenrolled candidate.[7] Walsh defeated Peach and Gallagher in the special election.[8][9][10][11][12]

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District, Special Election, 2016 | Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes

|
|
|

| Democratic  | Thomas Walsh | 57.8% | 7,138
| Republican  |  Stephanie Peach  | 37.6% | 4,644
| Unenrolled  |  Christopher Gallagher  | 4.7% | 576
Total Votes | 12,358
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District, Special Election Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Thomas Walsh | 62.7% | 1,672
James Moutsoulas  | 20.1% | 537
Craig Welton  | 17.2% | 459
Total Votes | 2,668
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District, Special Election Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Stephanie Peach | 55.4% | 568
Jaclyn Corriveau  | 44.6% | 458
Total Votes | 1,026

February 2 Democratic primary candidates:

* Thomas Walsh a
* James Moutsoulas
* Craig Welton

February 2 Republican primary candidates:

* Jaclyn Corriveau
* Stephanie Peach a

March 1 Special election candidates:
Thomas Walsh
Stephanie Peach
Christopher Gallagher (unenrolled)
☑ Massachusetts House of Representatives Ninth Plymouth District|

|

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Massachusetts House of Representatives Ninth Plymouth District was called for March 1. A primary election took place on February 2. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 29, 2015.[13]

The seat was vacant following Michael Brady's (D) election to the state Senate on November 3, 2015.

Gerry Cassidy defeated Shaynah Barnes and Shirley Asack in the Democratic primary.[14] Cassidy was unopposed in the special election.[15][16][17]

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Ninth Plymouth District Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Gerry Cassidy | 45.5% | 880
Shirley Asack  | 27.3% | 527
Shaynah Barnes  | 27.2% | 526
Total Votes | 1,933

February 2 Democratic primary candidates:

* Gerry Cassidy a
* Shaynah Barnes
* Shirley Asack

March 1 Special election candidates:
Gerry Cassidy
☑ Massachusetts House of Representatives Third Worcester District|

|

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Massachusetts House of Representatives Third Worcester District was called for March 1. A primary election took place on February 2. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 29, 2015.[18]

The seat was vacant following Stephen DiNatale's (D) election to be the Mayor of Fitchburg in the November 2015 general election.

Stephan Hay defeated Kimatra Maxwell and Joseph Byrne in the Democratic primary.[19] Dean Tran (write-in) defeated write-in candidate Stephen P. Sandrelli in the Republican primary. Hay defeated Tran in the special election.[20][21][22][23][24]

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Third Worcester District, Special Election, 2016 | Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes

|
|
|

| Democratic  | Stephan Hay | 50.7% | 4,613
| Republican  |  Dean Tran  | 49.3% | 4,488
Total Votes | 9,101
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Third Worcester District Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Stephan Hay | 61.7% | 1,153
Joseph Byrne  | 17.9% | 334
Kimatra Maxwell  | 17.1% | 320
Dean Tran (Write-In)  | 3.3% | 62
Stephen P. Sandrelli (Write-In)  | 0% | 0
Total Votes | 1,869
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Third Worcester District Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Dean Tran (Write-In) | 98.9% | 747
Stephen P. Sandrelli (Write-In)  | 1.1% | 8
Total Votes | 755

February 2 Democratic primary candidates:

* Stephan Hay a
* Kimatra Maxwell
* Joseph Byrne

February 2 Republican primary candidates:

* Dean Tran a

March 1 Special election candidates:
Stephan Hay
Dean Tran

### May 10, 2016[edit]

☑ Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk District|

|

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth and Norfolk District was called for May 10. A primary election took place on April 12.[25] The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 8, 2016.[26]

The seat was vacant following Robert Hedlund's (R) election to mayor of Weymouth in 2015.[27]

Joan Meschino defeated Paul Gannon in the Democratic primary. Patrick O'Connor defeated Stephen Gill in the Republican primary.[28][29] Meschino was defeated by O'Connor in the special election.[30][31][32]

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth and Norfolk District Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Joan Meschino | 60.5% | 3,714
Paul Gannon  | 38% | 2,337
Patrick O'Connor (Write-in)  | 1% | 60
All Others  | 0.3% | 20
Blank Votes  | 0.2% | 11
Total Votes | 6,142

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth and Norfolk District Republican Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Patrick O'Connor | 85% | 3,706
Stephen Gill  | 14.2% | 618
All Others  | 0.6% | 26
Blank Votes  | 0.2% | 9
Total Votes | 4,359

April 12 Democratic primary candidates:

* Joan Meschino a
* Paul Gannon

April 12 Republican primary candidates:

* Patrick O'Connor a
* Stephen Gill

May 10 Special election candidates:
Joan Meschino
Patrick O'Connor
☑ Massachusetts State Senate First Suffolk & Middlesex District|

|

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Massachusetts State Senate First Suffolk and Middlesex District was called for May 10. A primary election took place on April 12. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 8, 2016.[33]

The seat was vacant following Anthony Petruccelli's (D) resignation on January 21, 2016.[34]

Joseph Boncore defeated Lydia Marie Edwards, Diana Hwang, Jay Livingstone, Steven Morabito, Dan Rizzo, and Paul Rogers in the Democratic primary.[35][36][37] Boncore was unopposed in the special election.

Massachusetts State Senate, First Suffolk and Middlesex District Democratic Primary, 2016 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Joseph Boncore | 25.7% | 4,013
Dan Rizzo  | 23.2% | 3,628
Jay Livingstone  | 18% | 2,813
Lydia Marie Edwards  | 14.6% | 2,280
Diana Hwang  | 13.3% | 2,085
Steven Morabito  | 3.9% | 607
Paul Rogers  | 1.1% | 175
All Others  | 0.1% | 19
Blank Votes  | 0.1% | 9
Total Votes | 15,629

April 12 Democratic primary candidates:

* Joseph A. Boncore a
* Lydia Marie Edwards
* Diana Hwang
* Jay Livingstone
* Steven Morabito
* Dan Rizzo
* Paul A. Rogers

May 10 Special election candidates:
Joseph A. Boncore
☑ Massachusetts House of Representatives Tenth Essex District|

|

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of Massachusetts House of Representatives Tenth Essex District was called for May 10. A primary election took place on April 12. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 8, 2016.[38]

The seat was vacant following Robert Fennell's (D) resignation on February 24, 2016.[39]

Dan Cahill was unopposed in the Democratic primary. He was also unchallenged in the special election.[40][41][42]

April 12 Democratic primary candidates:

* Dan Cahill a

May 10 Special election candidates:
Dan Cahill

## See also[edit]

* State legislative special elections, 2016
* State legislative special elections, 2015
* Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2014
* Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2010
* Massachusetts State Legislature
* Massachusetts state legislative special elections: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Itemlive.com, "State says farewell to Fennell," February 25, 2016
2. ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 50, Section 6A)
3. ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 3: Section 10A)
4. ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 54: Section 141)
5. ↑ Peabody Patch, "Dates Set for State Rep. Special Election," accessed October 22, 2015
6. ↑ salemnews.com, "Peabody state rep Leah Cole resigning," accessed September 21, 2015
7. ↑ Patch.com, "Six Candidates Seek State Rep Seat," accessed January 5, 2016
8. ↑ masslive.com, "Democrats sweep three House special elections," accessed March 2, 2016
9. ↑ The Salem News, "Walsh and Peach win primaries," accessed February 3, 2016
10. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special General Election," accessed March 28, 2016
11. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Democratic Primary," accessed March 28, 2016
12. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Republican Primary," accessed March 28, 2016
13. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Election-Ninth Plymouth Representative District*," accessed November 20, 2015
14. ↑ The Enterprise, "3 Brockton Democrats in race for 9th Plymouth state representative seat," accessed January 13, 2016
15. ↑ masslive.com, "Democrats sweep three House special elections," accessed March 2, 2016
16. ↑ NewBostonPost, "Cassidy wins Brockton primary, fields narrowed in Fitchburg, Peabody," accessed February 3, 2016
17. ↑ William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Democratic Primary," accessed March 28, 2016
18. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Election- Third Worcester Representative District*," accessed November 20, 2015
19. ↑ Sentinel and Enterprise, "Kimatra Maxwell is aiming to be a 'social worker at state level'," accessed January 13, 2016
20. ↑ masslive.com, "Democrats sweep three House special elections," accessed March 2, 2016
21. ↑ NewBostonPost, "Cassidy wins Brockton primary, fields narrowed in Fitchburg, Peabody," accessed February 3, 2016
22. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Democratic Primary," accessed March 28, 2016
23. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Republican Primary," accessed March 28, 2016
24. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special General Election," accessed March 28, 2016
25. ↑ wwlp.com, "Senate plans pair of special elections on may 10th," accessed January 13, 2016
26. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Election- Plymouth and Norfolk Senate District*," accessed January 25, 2016
27. ↑ Wicked Local, "Weymouth Mayor-elect Hedlund resigns Senate seat," December 24, 2015
28. ↑ bostonherald.com, "Joseph Boncore winner of vacated Senate seat," accessed April 13, 2016
29. ↑ The Patriot Ledger, "Four candidates make it to primary ballots for South Shore state Senate seat," accessed March 9, 2016
30. ↑ patch.com, "Weymouth Town Council President Patrick O'Connor Wins State Senate Election," accessed May 11, 2016
31. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Democratic Primary," accessed September 7, 2016
32. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Republican Primary," accessed September 7, 2016
33. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Election- First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District*," accessed January 25, 2016
34. ↑ wwlp.com, "Senate plans pair of special elections on may 10th," accessed January 13, 2016
35. ↑ bostonherald.com, "Joseph Boncore winner of vacated Senate seat," accessed April 13, 2016
36. ↑ Boston Globe, "Political Happy Hour: March 8, 2016," accessed March 9, 2016
37. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Democratic Primary," accessed September 7, 2016
38. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Election- Tenth Essex Representative District*," accessed March 2, 2016
39. ↑ Itemlive.com, "State says farewell to Fennell," February 25, 2016
40. ↑ bostonherald.com, "Joseph Boncore winner of vacated Senate seat," accessed April 13, 2016
41. ↑ Item Live, "Cahill flying solo in special race," accessed March 9, 2016
42. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "2016 State Representative Special Democratic Primary," accessed September 7, 2016

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