Doherty beats back challenge from Coute for Taunton-Easton state rep seat

TAUNTON — State Rep. Carol Doherty beat back a stiff challenge from Taunton City Councilor Christopher Coute to hold onto her seat in Tuesday’s election.

“I’m delighted with the outcome. We all worked hard to bring this campaign to this positive result. Thank you to the voters and to everyone who helped and supported at any point. I am eternally grateful,” Doherty said Tuesday night.

The most contentious race this election season for Taunton has been for the 3rd Bristol District state representative seat between Doherty, the Democratic incumbent, and Coute, the Republican challenger.

The district is made up of wards 1A, 1B, 2, 5, 7, 8 in Taunton; and precincts 4A, 5, 6 Easton.

According to Taunton’s unofficial results, 16,658 voters out of a total 39,258 registered voters turned out for the midterm election or 42%.

In the state rep's race in Taunton, 10,460 votes were cast. Doherty received 5,756 votes over Coute’s 4,413 votes in Taunton, with 281 blank votes.  Doherty won 55% over Coute’s 42% in Taunton.

Easton released its unofficial results Tuesday night, showing Doherty with 2,092 votes, or 57%, to Coute's 1,548.

Combining both cities, Doherty won with 7,848 or 56.8%.

Coute congratulated Doherty on her victory Tuesday night.

“I’m proud of running a clean campaign. I’m proud of our volunteers. We had an amazing commitment from a large group of people. I congratulate my opponent for also running a clean campaign. I congratulate her on her victory. I’m very proud of the effort we put in. We didn’t get it done, but I thank everyone for their efforts for the last 6 months," Coute said.

The differences between the two candidates have been apparent through their contrasting backgrounds.

Doherty, a retired educator, worked both as a teacher and guidance counselor at Bennett Elementary School, and then, later on, as director of professional development in the School of Education at Northeastern University for 18 years. She served two consecutive terms as president of the Massachusetts Teacher Association, as well as five terms on the Taunton School Committee.

What $675K buys in BerkleyCustom-built home with red cedar ceilings in Berkley sold for $675K

Coute is currently in the middle of his second term as a Taunton city councilor. A U.S. Army veteran, Coute served 22 years, retiring with the rank of master sergeant. An owner of multiple businesses, Coute built Brownstone Realty Group from the ground up into a big name in Taunton that specializes in new construction and rehab home sales. He also owns the Liberty & Union Ale House on Trescott Street.

Doherty has said much of her time as state representative during the pandemic were about working on the issues of unemployment , job growth, affordability of living, inflation, climate change and local aid through legislation and appropriations. Moving out of the worst of the pandemic, she states these are issues she wants to prioritize in her next term through better legislation.

Coute said his top priorities were supporting law enforcement, protecting tax dollars, growing the state’s economy, saving money for residents, increasing local aid to municipalities, and giving more parental voice in schools through a “Parents Bill of Rights.”

Both candidates in their campaigns treated the economy as the primary issue the public cares about. This was made apparent during the, at times, aggressive moments that came out during their candidates forum on TCAM.

Haddad edges out opponent in 5th Bristol

Unofficial counts by the Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ on Wednesday morning showed state Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset, will retain her seat in the 5th Bristol District, which is made up of Taunton ward 1A1, 4B1, 6; Dighton; Somerset; and Swansea precincts 1, 2, 3.

According to Decision Desk HQ, around 12:40 a.m., Haddad was leading Republican challenger Justin Thurber 54.13% to 45.87%, with an estimated 67% of the vote counted. An AP estimate at the same time had only 38% of the vote counted, with Haddad leading Thurber by a single vote, 3,565 to 3,564. Haddad herself reported that with all precincts reporting, she received 8,809 votes to Thurber's 7,451.

Third Bristol & Plymouth State Senate race

Longtime state Sen. Marc Pacheco, a Taunton Democrat, leads challenger, Maria Collins, a Taunton Republican with about 54% of the vote to Collins's 46% as of press time, with 89% of precincts reporting. The district is made up of Berkley, Dighton, Raynham, Taunton, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Carver, Marion, Middleboro and Wareham.

What did it look like at the polls?

“We had a line out the door when we opened.  It hasn’t let up.  I’ve never seen it like this,” exclaimed Anne Sauerbier, election worker for the Benjamin Friedman Middle School poll site, over the surprisingly large turnout her location has had this Election Day.

She’s wasn’t alone in her observation. Several polling sites visited during the day expressed the same sentiment.  Diane Cote, Warden for the Mulcahey Elementary School location, said voter attendance was been strong and steady all day.

Taunton Police Officer Jason LaPlante was seeing about “100 voters an hour on average” come to the Bennett School polling site since his shift as security started in the afternoon.

The West Congregation Church polling site was so busy it could and did take voters multiple attempts, entering and exiting, just to park in its parking lot.  A long steady line of voters can be seen waiting outside just to enter the Church’s undersized polling facility.

Both Sauerbier and Cote said the numbers have been higher than they’ve seen in previous midterms.

Sauerbier stated she’s “seen a lot more young voters” than previous years.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton election: State Rep. Carol Doherty beats Councilor Chris Coute