Republicans vow to keep 6th Worcester representative seat in the party

After thanking his campaign staff at his watch party Tuesday night, as the realization was sinking in that he would be the next senator representing the Worcester and Hampshire District, state Rep. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, was contemplating what comes next on the agenda.

"Now the governing starts," Durant said, noting that after the months of activity and anticipation end, work begins. But not on his schedule.

The representative still has to resign his House seat and later be sworn as the Senate's newest member by the governor and the Governor's Council. That schedule has yet to be determined but there will be no movement before the 15-day window in which municipal clerks have to certify their election results. Overseas and military ballots must be received by Nov. 17 to be counted.

House Speaker Mariano could opt for a special election

Whether a special election is called to fill the unexpired term, a term that still has a year left to go, will also wait until the election has been officially certified and accepted by the secretary of state, said a spokesperson for House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-Quincy. The call for a special election will be made by the Speaker.

"Once (Durant) filed a letter of resignation, the House can choose whether, and if, to call a special election," said Debra O'Malley, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, William Frances Galvin. "They don't have to, but with more than a year left in the term, it's highly unlikely that the House will leave it vacant."

Papers for the general election scheduled for November 2024 will be released by Galvin's office in February. The new legislative session starts in January 2025.

There is already interest in who will succeed Durant in the House.

Southbridge selectman Dave Adams, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the veterans affairs officer in Uxbridge, announced Sunday that he would be running for the House seat held by Durant, regardless of the outcome of the special election Tuesday. He has opened an account with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance and launched a Facebook page dedicated to his campaign.

Southbridge Selectman already launched a campaign

"It's a decision I made, with my committee, to run, regardless of whether (Durant) won or lost," Adams said Wednesday.

Both Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, nor Rep. Michael Soter, R-Bellingham, declined to name anyone else interested in the position. Both Republicans said the party is committed to keeping the 6th Worcester District red.

"Someone will emerge," Fattman said, adding he is confident that there will be local politicians who will be throwing their names into the ring to fill the vacant seat. "Legislative seats do not open up too often."

Soter said he is confident the House will call for a special election, suggesting that despite the switch in legislative bodies, he is confident Durant will not abandon his constituents. Rep. Donald Berthiaume, R-Spencer, will help cover the needs of the residents in the contiguous district.

"Peter's race revealed the Republican Party has ideas and talking points, the district listened," Soter said.

One person Durant said would not be running is his wife, Kate Campanale, who ran for lieutenant governor on the Chris Doughty ticket last year, calling her a "reformed or recovering politician."

While he has been collecting congratulations on his win from his new senate colleague, Minority Leader Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and Spilka, Durant is also anticipating being able to move the needle and accomplish items on his to-do list.

Durant eager to start new venture

"There's a greater chance to get things done," Durant said of his decision to run for a Senate seat. "Senators have greater influence; in the senate, you're one of 40, not one of 160. Senators work closely with colleagues, with the senate president."

He looks forward to discussing again the sweeping gun legislation passed by the House in October, as well as pushing forward changes to the state's right-to-shelter law that has come under fire with the influx of migrants that have been seeking homes, jobs and services in Massachusetts in the last year.

Durant is hoping to pass legislation that would limit access to residents with legal standing in the U.S. who have been living for at least three years in the state.

In a written statement issued Tuesday night, Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland congratulated Sen.-elect Durant. "I’d also like to thank Rep. (Jonathan) Zlotnik, who should be proud of the campaign he ran which presented a positive vision for our commonwealth. The Senate will continue its work towards making the commonwealth more affordable and equitable, and I hope Senator-elect Durant will join our efforts.”

Tarr, in his written remarks said: "Tonight, the voters of Central Massachusetts made their voices heard in the special election for the Worcester and Hampshire District. I want to congratulate Senator-elect Durant on his victory, and I look forward to working with him to advance the interests of the Commonwealth here in the State Senate.

"As we take on economic headwinds, driven by the rising cost of living, it is crucial to have a productive exchange of ideas in the legislature," Tarr said. "Peter will bring an important perspective to the chamber as we seek to make Massachusetts safer, more competitive, more affordable, and more prosperous."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Open House seat already eyed by interested Southbridge selectman