Massachusetts state legislative Democratic primaries, 2018

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2018 Massachusetts
General Court elections
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GeneralNovember 6, 2018
PrimarySeptember 4, 2018
2018 elections
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In Massachusetts' 2018 state legislative elections, 63.5 percent of all seats up for election did not feature a Republican candidate, meaning that they will go to the Democratic nominee by default.

There were eight contested Democratic primaries in the state senate and 35 in the state House.

Ballotpedia identified the elections in the Senate Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester District, the Sixteenth Essex District, the Thirty-sixth Middlesex District, the Ninth Suffolk District, the Eleventh Suffolk District, the Fourteenth Suffolk District, and the Fifteenth Suffolk District as races to watch.

Among the intraparty conflicts playing out in the primaries were challenges to legislators aligned with state House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D), who was described as "on the conservative side of the Democratic party in Massachusetts."[1] Although DeLeo himself did not face a primary challenge, at least three races to watch involved primary challenges to legislators aligned with DeLeo, including two races which resulted in a member of legislative leadership losing their seat.

At least three of the races to watch involved legislators who had been in office for 15 years or more. Their primary challengers contended the incumbents were no longer representative of their districts because of demographic or political shifts.

Two races to watch involved open seats. They were among 19 seats left open by legislators not seeking re-election in Massachusetts in 2018.

The general election was on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018. In the state Senate, all 40 seats were up for election. In the state House, all 160 seats were up for election.



HIGHLIGHTS
  • As of September 2018, Massachusetts was one of 16 states under divided government and not one of the 34 states under a state government trifecta. A state government trifecta is a term used to describe a single-party government where one political party holds the governor's office and a majority in both chambers of the state legislature. To find out more about state government trifectas, click here.

    • Incumbents who did not advance to the general election

    Retiring incumbents

    Fifteen state House Democrats did not seek re-election in 2018.

    Four state Senate Democrats did not seek re-election in 2018.

    Incumbents defeated

    Three state House Democrats were defeated in the primaries.

    Competitiveness

    See also: 2018 primary election competitiveness in state and federal government and Massachusetts state legislative Republican primaries, 2018
    Year Total seats Open seats Total candidates Democratic primaries contested Republican primaries contested Total contested Incumbents contested in primaries Total incumbents contested in primaries
    2018 200 23 340 43 6 12.3% 18 10.2%
    2016 200 13 305 37 3 10.0% 21 11.2%
    2014 200 21 343 35 12 11.8% 15 8.4%

    Partisan control

    The tables below show the partisan breakdowns of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts State Senate as of September 2018:

    Massachusetts House of Representatives

    Party As of September 2018
         Democratic Party 117
         Republican Party 34
         Independent 2
         Vacancies 7
    Total 160

    Massachusetts State Senate

    Party As of September 2018
         Democratic Party 31
         Republican Party 7
         Vacancies 2
    Total 40

    Battleground races

    Ballotpedia identified battleground races in the 2018 Massachusetts state legislative Democratic primary elections. These primaries had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could have led to changes in the membership of the Democratic caucus or had an impact on general election races.

    To determine the Massachusetts state legislative Democratic primary battleground races in 2018, Ballotpedia examined races that fit one or more of the three factors listed below:

    1. Identified by the media as a notable primary election.
    2. One or more of the candidates received a notable endorsement.
    3. The primary was known to be competitive based on past results or because it was a rematch of a primary that was competitive in the past.


    Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester Senate District

    Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

    Yes

    What made this a race to watch?

    The incumbent, state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg (D), resigned his seat and withdrew from the election after the filing deadline following the publication of a Senate Ethics Committee report alleging that he had improperly handled allegations of sexual harassment directed at his husband.[9] Rosenberg's only primary challenger, Chelsea Kline (D), faced three write-in candidates in the contest for the open seat. No candidates from other parties filed, meaning that the winner of the primary was guaranteed election to the state Senate in November.

    Outcome

    Write-in candidate Jo Comerford (D) defeated two other write-ins and Kline to win the Democratic nomination. Comerford received 54 percent of the vote to Kline's 41 percent.


    Sixteenth Essex District

    Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

    No

    What made this a race to watch?

    Incumbent Juana B. Matias (D) did not file for re-election, instead running for the U.S. House seat in Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District. Former state Rep. Marcos Devers, whom Matias unseated in 2016, faced former state Rep. William Lantigua (D). Devers and Lantigua previously contested the seat in 2006 and 2008.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

    Outcome

    Devers defeated Lantigua in the election for their old seat, receiving 52 percent of the vote to Lantigua's 48 percent.

    Thirty-sixth Middlesex District

    Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

    Yes

    What made this a race to watch?

    Sitting state Rep. Colleen Garry (D), who was first elected in 1994, faced Dracut School Committeewoman Sabrina Adena Heisey (D) in her first primary challenge since 2004. According to the Beacon Hill Roll Call, Garry voted alongside state House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D) 89 percent of the time in 2017, less than any other Democratic member of the state House. In an interview with the Lowell Sun, Garry said that she was representative of the district: "(Heisey's) very, very progressive, very liberal ... I'm a JFK kind of Democrat. I'm a conservative Democrat, and that's what this district is." Heisey said that Garry was not representative of the Democratic Party in 2018: "This is not 1960. This is 2018 and it's time to get with the times...We don't need any more JFK Democrats in the Statehouse."[10] Garry was one of eight Democratic incumbents included in state House Speaker Robert DeLeo's (D) political action committee's first round of funding.[11]

    Outcome

    Garry defeated Heisey, receiving 73 percent of the vote to Heisey's 27 percent.

    Ninth Suffolk District

    Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

    Yes

    What made this a race to watch?

    Incumbent Byron Rushing (D) was first elected to the chamber in 1982. He faced two challengers in the primary. At the time of the primary, Rushing was the fourth highest-ranking Democratic member of the state House.[12] Rushing was one of eight Democratic incumbents included in state House Speaker Robert DeLeo's (D) political action committee's first round of funding.[11]

    Outcome

    Rushing was unseated by challenger Jon Santiago (D), who received 48 percent of the vote to Rushing's 38 percent.

    Eleventh Suffolk District

    Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

    Yes

    What made this a race to watch?

    Incumbent Elizabeth Malia (D) was first elected to the chamber in 1998. She faced radio station founder Charles Clemons Muhammad (D) and MassCare Executive Director Ture Turnbull (D). Both Muhammad and Turnbull differed from Malia in their support for legislative leadership term limits and their statements that they would not oppose the extension of the state tax holiday. Muhammad, citing his experience as a corrections and police officer, emphasized his support for community involvement in development projects. Turnbull emphasized healthcare, stating his support for single-payer healthcare and promising to act as a counterweight to what he described as a conservative state government if elected.[13] Malia was one of eight Democratic incumbents included in state House Speaker Robert DeLeo's (D) political action committee's first round of funding.[11]

    Outcome

    Malia held on to her seat, defeating Turnbull and Muhammad. She received 66 percent of the vote to Turnbull's 18 percent.

    Fourteenth Suffolk District

    Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

    Yes

    What made this a race to watch?

    Incumbent Angelo Scaccia (D), who was first elected in 1972 and was re-elected in every election since with the exception of 1978, faced four primary challengers including activist Segun Idowu (D) and attorney Gretchen Van Ness (D). His challengers argued that Scaccia, who received an "F" rating from Progressive Massachusetts, was no longer representative of the district. According to The Bay State Banner, Scaccia was less active on the campaign trail than his challengers.[14]

    Outcome

    Scaccia defeated his primary challengers, receiving 40 percent of the vote. His closest opponent, Van Ness, received 26 percent.

    Fifteenth Suffolk District

    Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

    Yes

    What made this a race to watch?

    Incumbent Jeffrey Sanchez (D), who was first elected in 2002, faced Nika Elugardo (D), a former advisor to state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D) who has founded several local youth programs. Elguardo pointed to Sanchez's C+ rating from Progressive Massachusetts as evidence that he had lost touch with the district: "I love that Sánchez has mastered the old school game...But it’s a game we as people of color cannot afford to play. It’s a plantation model, where if you can get favor with the master, you can come into the house." Sanchez's supporters pointed to his accomplishments since taking office and his leadership position in the House: "For the first time in years we have a progressive in leadership who can come through and deliver things...I know his work. I’ve watched him do what he’s said he’s going to do."[15]

    Outcome

    Elugardo unseated Sanchez, receiving 52 percent of the vote to Sanchez's 48 percent.

    Voter information

    How the primary works

    A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Massachusetts utilizes a semi-closed primary system. An unaffiliated voter is allowed to vote in the primary election of his or her choice.[16][17]

    For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

    Poll times

    In Massachusetts, most polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. However, municipalities may open their polls as early as 5:45 a.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[18]

    Registration requirements

    Check your voter registration status here.

    To vote in Massachusetts, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day.[19]

    The deadline for registration is 10 days prior to the election. A voter can register online, by mail, or in person at any registration office or the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A form of identification is required to register. The following are acceptable forms of identification:[19]

    • Valid driver's license
    • State-issued identification card
    • Current utility bill
    • Bank statement
    • Paystub
    • Government-issued check
    • Any other government document displaying the voter's name and address

    Automatic registration

    Massachusetts automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, division of medical assistance, health insurance connector authority, and other agencies that collect what state law defines as reliable citizenship information.[20]

    Online registration

    See also: Online voter registration

    Massachusetts has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.[21]

    Same-day registration

    Massachusetts does not allow same-day voter registration.[21]

    Residency requirements

    To register to vote in Massachusetts, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.[19]

    Verification of citizenship

    See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

    Massachusetts does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, the penalty for an illegal registration is a "fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years or both."[22]

    All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[23] As of January 2025, six states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

    Verifying your registration

    The Elections and Voting page, run by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.


    Voter ID requirements

    Massachusetts does not require voters to present identification (ID) while voting, in most cases.[24]

    However, voters will be asked to show ID in the following circumstances:

    “
    • You are voting for the first time in Massachusetts in a federal election;
    • You are an inactive voter;
    • You are casting a provisional or challenged ballot;
    • The poll worker has a reasonable suspicion that leads them to request identification.[24][25]
    		 ”

    The following list of accepted ID was current as of August 2024:

    • A driver's license
    • A state ID card
    • A recent utility bill
    • A rent receipt or lease.
    • A copy of a voter registration affidavit
    • A letter from a school dormitory or housing office
    • Any other printed identification which contains your name and address

    Click here for the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

    “ Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote. Examples of acceptable identification include: a driver's license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, a copy of a voter registration affidavit, or any other printed identification which contains the voter's name and address.[25] ”

    Early voting

    Massachusetts permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

    Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

    As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.

    Absentee voting

    Any eligible voter has the option to vote by absentee/mail-in ballot in all elections.[26]


    Pivot Counties

    See also: Pivot Counties by state

    There are no Pivot Counties in Massachusetts. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

    In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Massachusetts with 60 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 32.8 percent. In presidential elections between 1789 and 2016, Massachusetts voted Republican 36.2 percent of the time and Democratic 34.4 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Massachusetts voted Democratic all five times.[27]

    Presidential results by legislative district

    The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Massachusetts. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[28][29]

    In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 135 out of 160 state House districts in Massachusetts with an average margin of victory of 31.6 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 141 out of 160 state House districts in Massachusetts with an average margin of victory of 34.1 points. Clinton won 21 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
    In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 25 out of 160 state House districts in Massachusetts with an average margin of victory of 4.1 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 19 out of 160 state House districts in Massachusetts with an average margin of victory of 5.5 points. Trump won five districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ WGBH News, "Deleo's Agenda: Health Care Costs, Civics , No New Taxes," January 31, 2018
    2. ↑ Cantwell resigned in March 2018.
    3. ↑ Collins won a special election to the state Senate on May 1, 2018.
    4. ↑ Miceli passed away on April 21, 2018.
    5. ↑ Goldstein-Rose changed his party affiliation from Democratic to independent in February 2018.
    6. ↑ Calter resigned in May 2018.
    7. ↑ Donoghue resigned in April 2018.
    8. ↑ Rosenberg resigned in May 2018.
    9. ↑ WBUR, "Embattled Former Senate President Rosenberg To Resign Following Ethics Committee Report," May 3, 2018
    10. ↑ Lowell Sun, "Democratic showdown in Dracut: Heisey to challenge Garry," February 10, 2018
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 The Lowell Sun, "Garry, Mom among first beneficiaries of Democratic House PAC," August 21, 2018
    12. ↑ WGBH, "Rep. Byron Rushing of South End, Roxbury To Face Democratic Challenger," February 6, 2018
    13. ↑ Jamaica Plain Gazette, "State rep forum highlights similarities and differences among candidates," June 8, 2018
    14. ↑ The Bay State Banner, "Challengers hit streets in 14th Suffolk District race," July 18, 2018
    15. ↑ The Bay State Banner, "An idealistic challenger takes on a pragmatic incumbent in J.P./Mission Hill district," June 13, 2018
    16. ↑ NCSL, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 3, 2024
    17. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "How to Vote in a Primary," accessed October 3, 2024
    18. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "The Voting Process," accessed April 13, 2023
    19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Voter Registration Information," accessed April 13, 2023
    20. ↑ Governing, “Automatic Voter Registration Gains Bipartisan Momentum,” accessed April 13, 2023
    21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 26, 2024
    22. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Official Mail-in Voter Registration Form," accessed November 1, 2024
    23. ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
    24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Identification Requirements," accessed April 13, 2023
    25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    26. ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Voting by Mail," accessed July 18, 2022
    27. ↑ 270towin.com, "Massachusetts," accessed June 29, 2017
    28. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
    29. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
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