Focus turns to state, legislative races: These candidates are in Nov. 8 general election

Marco Cartolano
·4 min read
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The results from the Sept. 6 primary are in and now the focus turns to statewide and Gardner area legislative races in the Nov. 8 general election.

Two incumbent members of Congress face Republican opponents.

Statewide, a Democratic slate mostly featuring women goes up against a Republican slate reflective of a state party increasingly tied to the politics of former President Donald Trump.

Locally, one incumbent is running unopposed while a few who waltzed through their primaries face challengers in the general.

Here's who you can expect to see on the ballot on November 8.

Statewide races

Remember to vote.
Remember to vote.

Attorney General Maura T. Healey and Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll will be at the top of the Democratic ticket as the party's governor and lieutenant governor nominees. Former state Reps. Geoff Diehl of Whitman and Leah G. Cole Allen of Peabody will top the Republican ticket as the governor and lieutenant governor nominees.

Former Boston City Council President Andrea J. Campbell will be the Democratic nominee to succeed Healey as attorney general. Attorney Jay McMahon of Cape Cod, the 2018 Republican nominee, will seek the position again for Republicans.

Longtime Secretary of State William F. Galvin is running for reelection against Republican radio host Rayla Campbell of Randolph.

Finally, state Sen. Diana DiZoglio of Methuen is the Democratic nominee for state auditor to succeed Suzanne M. Bump. She is running against Boston auditor and investigator Anthony Amore, the only statewide Republican running with the endorsement of Gov. Charlie Baker.

State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, a Democrat, is unopposed as she seeks reelection.

Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District

Longtime U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, faces Shrewsbury businessman Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette in the general election.

Sossa-Paquette said the candidates have agreed to two debates, but the dates have not been scheduled yet.

McGovern is running for his 14th two-year term. In 2020, he was reelected with about two-thirds of the vote in the general election.

The district has a strong Democratic lean.

What is the 2nd Congressional District?

The 2nd Congressional District now includes the following Gardner-area municipalities: Hubbardston, Phillipston, Templeton, and part of Westminster.

Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Lori A. Trahan, D-Westford, faces former Republican state Sen. Dean A. Tran of Fitchburg.

Tran pleaded not guilty in Worcester Superior Court in July to charges including larceny of a firearm and misleading a police investigation. He also announced a lawsuit against Healey alleging the charges are politically motivated.

Trahan is running for her third two-year term. She was unopposed in 2020.

The district has a strong Democratic lean.

What is the 3rd Congressional District?

The 3rd Congressional District now includes the following Gardner-area municipalities: Gardner, Ashburnham, most of Westminster and Winchendon.

STATE SENATE RACES                     

Worcester and Hampshire District

(Covers Gardner-area communities including Gardner, Hubbardston, Templeton, Phillipston and Westminster)

State Sen. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer, is running for reelection to a seat that has changed considerably due to redistricting. Her seat now includes a part of Worcester.

She is being challenged by Republican James Amorello of Holden. Amorello said he is hoping to bring a youth perspective and a focus on fiscal issues to the state Senate.

In the Worcester area of the district, Gobi received 1,288 votes in an uncontested Democratic primary while Amorello received 424 votes in his uncontested primary. 

Worcester and Middlesex District

(Covers Gardner as well as Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Lancaster, Clinton, Shirley, Leominster, Ashby, Townsend, Westford and Groton)

Incumbent John J. Cronin, D-Lunenburg, is running for reelection against Ken Hoyt, a Republican, of Westford. 

STATE HOUSE RACES

2nd Worcester District

(Covers Ashburnham, Gardner, part of Winchendon and Templeton)

Incumbent Jonathan D. Zlotnik, D-Gardner, is running for reelection against Bruce K. Chester, a Republican from Gardner.

2nd Franklin District

(Covers the Gardner-area communities of Phillipston, and part of Winchendon)

Incumbent Rep. Susannah M. Whipps of Athol, an unenrolled state representative, is running against Republican Jeff Raymond of Athol.

Worcester County Sheriff

Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis, a Republican, is facing a challenge from Democrat David Fontaine of Paxton. 

Governor's Council District 7

Democrat Paul DePalo faces a challenge from Republican Gary Galonek of Sturbridge, an actor who served two terms on the Sturbridge Zoning Board of Appeals.

5th Worcester District

State Rep. Donald R. Berthiaume Jr., of the 5th Worcester District, which represents Hubbardston, is running for re-election without a challenger.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Who's on my ballot? Candidates for North Central MA races