There are signs of fall everywhere as we head into Labor Day weekend, with hints of red and orange on the trees and the first day of school is already in the books. Also, though you might not be thinking about it: Massachusetts’ primaries are on Tuesday, September 3. Early voting is already well underway — it started last Saturday and will extend through Friday, August 30 at 5 PM at Cary Hall.
Most candidates on the ballot are incumbents, and there aren’t many contested races. Those running unopposed in the primaries include Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Katherine Clark, State Senators Cindy Friedman and Michael Barrett, and State Representatives Michelle Ciccolo and Ken Gordon (sample ballots for precincts 1,2,4,5,7 can be found here, precincts 3,8,9 here, and precinct 6 here).
So, how are the few competitive races taking shape? The most contested is among two Democrats each looking to be elected to the Governor’s Council, a group of eight elected officials with the power to approve or veto judges, pardons and commutations. Challenger Mara Dolan is a public defender from Concord, MA, running against incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney of Watertown.
These contenders have met before — September’s primary is a follow-up to the close election in 2022 that resulted in a narrow win for Devaney. Dolan is an attorney, while Devaney prides herself on not being one, and on having an almost perfect attendance record at the weekly Council meeting over the last 25 years. For her part, Dolan told LexObserver she would only support judges who are pro-choice, prioritize treatment over punishment for substance abuse, and recognize the racial disparities in the state’s court systems. She was endorsed by the Boston Globe earlier this month, and also has endorsements from Lexington’s local representatives Sens. Barrett and Friedman, Rep. Michelle Ciccolo, and many others.
U.S. Senate race
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is up for reelection (Sen. Ed Markey’s current term doesn’t end until Jan. 3, 2027). She doesn’t have any challengers in the Democratic primary, but will face off against the Republican candidate in November. Here’s a look at the Republican candidates:
John Deaton, who moved to Swansea this year from Rhode Island, is a trial lawyer, former Marine, and advocate for cryptocurrency. He’s originally from the Detroit area and wrote a memoir Food Stamp Warrior about his childhood in poverty. He has criticized former president Trump.
Ian Cain joined the senate primary race in April. He grew up in Quincy and is a Boston College graduate. According to a profile of him in The Boston Globe, he started an “incubator for blockchain technology,” and is the first city councilor in Quincy to be “Black and openly gay.” His website emphasizes securing the border and prioritizing immigration based on what the U.S. “needs.”
Robert Antonellis is a Someville-based engineer who graduated from UMass Amherst. He is a supporter of Donald Trump. According to his website, he is against Bitcoin/crypto mining based on electricity usage, and against wind farms.
Sen. Warren, a popular progressive two-term incumbent, is favored to win over whichever of the three candidates wins the Republican nomination.
Though much of the attention this fall will be directed at the highly contentious presidential election, there’s a lot to consider when thinking about Massachusetts’ state issues and those facing Congress.
If you need a refresher on where to vote or are new to voting here, the Town of Lexington lists voting precinct locations and other helpful information on their website.