Massachusetts Republicans are gearing up for state primaries on Tuesday to choose candidates to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch. Warren, seeking a third term, faces no opposition within the Democratic party. On the Republican side, candidates include Bob Antonellis, Ian Cain, and John Deaton, with Deaton boasting a significant financial advantage due to a $1 million loan to his campaign. Warren has a history of strong support in the state, having won over 60% of the vote in 2018, and Biden carried Massachusetts with 66% in the 2020 presidential race.
In the 8th Congressional District, Lynch faces no primary challenge for his 12th term, while Republican candidates vying for the nomination include Rob Burke, Jim Govatsos, and Daniel Kelly. Despite Lynch’s strong victory in the 2022 general election, the Republicans have yet to raise any money for their campaign. Massachusetts currently has a heavily Democratic congressional delegation, with both Senate seats and all nine House seats held by Democrats. The upcoming state primaries will also feature races for the state legislature, where Republicans hope to build on their toehold following a previous victory in a vacant Democratic seat.
In the state Senate district of Plymouth and Barnstable, Democratic incumbent Susan Moran is not seeking reelection, opening the door for a Republican win in a district they previously held. Republican candidates Mathew Muratore and Kari MacRae are competing against Democratic state Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who has strong backing from the state’s Democratic establishment, including Gov. Maura Healey and David Plouffe, Obama’s former campaign manager. The 2024 election in Massachusetts has seen former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley perform well in heavily Democratic states, indicating a potential shift in support for Republican candidates.
As the Massachusetts state primary approaches on Tuesday, voters will have the opportunity to participate in contested races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state Senate, state House, the Governor’s Council, and Plymouth County Commissioner seats. Registered voters associated with a political party can only vote in their respective party’s primary, while independent or unenrolled voters have the flexibility to participate in any primary. The AP will provide live updates on the election results and announce winners in the various contested races.
With over 5 million registered voters in Massachusetts, the 2024 election is expected to witness significant turnout, with a majority of voters not affiliated with any party. In past primaries, turnout has been higher among Democrats compared to Republicans, with a notable percentage of voters casting ballots before election day. The state has a strict recount policy, allowing candidates to request a recount only if the vote margin is 0.5% or less. The AP will continue to provide coverage of the election results and any newsworthy developments following the primaries.
