It's Warren v. Deaton after Mass. primaries
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Cryptocurrency activist and attorney John Deaton will face U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Nov. 5's election after a state primary election day that promised few surprises and provided next to none.
Why it matters: Democrats have such a strong grip on power in Massachusetts, and Republicans are so weak, the party primaries are voters' best opportunity to send a message about what kind of politician they want to wield power.
- Voters' voices were heard loudest yesterday filling empty seats in the House and Senate to replace some retiring Democrats, and at least one veteran progressive lost to a challenger from the far left.
Deaton beat back Trump-aligned Republican Robert Antonellis with around 65% of the vote to Antonellis's 26% in the Republican U.S. Senate primary.
- Ian Cain, a fellow crypto crusader and Quincy city councilor, came in third with around 9%.
State of play: Deaton will be the second Republican with the formidable task of trying to unseat Warren since her win over former Sen. Scott Brown in 2012.
- She beat former state Rep. Geoff Diehl 60%-to-36% six years ago.
- There hasn't been much polling this year, but a UMass survey from May showed Warren with high approval numbers and a solid lead over any GOP challenger.
In a rematch between public defender Mara Dolan and Governor's Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, early returns suggest Dolan has unseated the Watertown incumbent for the Democratic nomination.
Other races for legislative seats were still being counted late last night. We'll dive into the fallout of the few competitive races in Thursday's newsletter.
- An upset is brewing in Cambridge, where democratic socialist challenger Evan MacKay declared victory over Progressive Rep. Marjorie Decker, per the Globe.
- Newton City Councilor Greg Schwartz will take over the Newton and Brookline seat left open by the retiring Rep. Ruth Balser, according to the Associated Press.
A contested Senate seat that stretches from Milton to Bridgewater looks like it will be filled by Rep. William Driscoll, according to early returns.
- In a stand-out GOP legislative race, Plymouth Rep. Mathew Muratore appears to have lost his bid for the Senate to education activist Kari MacRae. MacRae would face Democrat Dylan Fernandes in the general election.
- Josh Tarsky appeared last night to have won the primary to replace Rep. Denise Garlick representing most of Needham.
- Medford Rep. Paul Donato, a top aide to Speaker Ron Mariano, looks to have won a three-way Democratic primary against two progressive challengers.
Between the lines: Voters didn't have many choices to make. Only 16% of state lawmakers faced a primary challenge from within their party this year.
What's next: Most incumbents will cruise into next session unopposed, while a very few face challenges from the opposing party in the general election.