Devaney Holding Slim Lead Over Dolan In Governor's Council Race

CHELMSFORD, MA — As Election Day turned into Wednesday, incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney held a slim lead over Mara Dolan in the 3rd District Governor's Council Democratic Primary, according to the Associated Press.

With 54.03 percent of precincts having reported at midnight., Watertown's Devaney had 51.4 percent of the votes and Concord's Dolan had 48.6 percent of the votes.

3rd District Governor's Council Democratic Primary

Midnight Update

Percentage Reporting: 51.4%

• Marilyn Petitto Devaney, Watertown: 26,859 votes
• Mara Dolan, Concord: 25,431 votes

In the Democratic primary for the 3rd District representative on the Governor's Council, Marilyn Petitto Devaney ran against Mara Dolan. There is no Republican challenger on the ballot for the general election.

The council provides advice and consent on gubernatorial appointments, pardons and commutations, and warrants for the state treasury. It includes eight councilors and the lieutenant governor.

Devaney is a 12-term incumbent, but she has been involved in some controversy during the campaign.

In live appearances and on her website, Devaney highlighted endorsements from Congressman Jim McGovern and Democratic nominee for auditor Chris Dempsey. However, McGovern and Dempsey's representatives said those endorsements had not happened, according to WBGH.

Devaney has touted her accomplishments on the council, like establishing the very first Governor's Council website and determining the Parole Board had not been in compliance for 30 years because it only featured prosecutors. Devaney said she worked to change the makeup of the board.

Dolan is a public defender and said her professional experience would be an asset to the council.

"The Governor's Council has never had a public defender to help us decide who our judges are going to be, who sits on our Parole Board, and who receives commutations and pardons. We need to make that right," Dolan said on her campaign website.

14th Middlesex District State Representative Democratic Primary

Midnight Update

Percentage of precincts reporting: 30.77%

• Vivian Birchall, Acton: 886 votes
• Simon Cataldo, Concord: 869 votes
• Patricia Wojtas, Chelmsford: 81 votes

In the Democratic primary for 14th Middlesex District State Representative, the winner will face Republican Rodney Cleaves in the general election. Cleaves ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

The general election will determine the successor to Democrat Tami Gouveia, who is running for lieutenant governor.

Vivian Birchall, from Acton, has worked for the Town of Acton Land Use Department, was a board member of the Acton-Boxborough United Way and worked for Emerson Hospital. She currently is a producer for Acton Community Television.

Birchall, who was born in Uganda, would be the first person of color elected as a state representative in the 14th Middlesex District. On her website, Birchall said she was inspired to run by the people she met in each of her professional roles.

Simon Cataldo, who is from Concord, has called the district home since he was 3 years old. He has worked as a federal anti-corruption prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to his website, Cataldo has dedicated his life to fighting for special education students, environmental justice and integrity in government.

Patricia Wojtas, from Chelmsford, has served on the Chelmsford Select Board and currently is an elected Town Meeting Representative.

An Air Force veteran, Wojtas said on her website that she knows municipal government and understands the challenges faced by towns in Massachusetts.

16th Middlesex District State Representative Democratic Primary

Midnight Update

Percentage of precincts reporting: 0%

• Zoe F. Dzineku, Lowell: 0 votes
• Rodney Elliot, Lowell: 0 votes

In the Democratic primary for 16th Middlesex District State Representative, the winner will face Republican Karla Jean Miller in the general election. Miller ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

The general election will be to fill the seat vacated by Democrat Tom Golden, who stepped down in April to become Lowell city manager.

Zoe F. Dzineku, who is from Lowell, immigrated to the U.S. from Liberia when she was 4 years old. She has worked in the corporate world, been a small business owner and been involved in public service.

According to her website, Dzineku, as the chair of the Election Commission, successfully challenged the Lowell Election Office's plan to significantly reduce the number of polling locations for Lowell's 2021 municipal election.

Rodney Elliott, also from Lowell, currently works as an assistant regional manager for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

According to his website, Elliott's priorities in office would include: evaluating the Massachusetts School Building Authority formula and increasing funding for schools, supporting an increase in Chapter 90 funding for road repairs and supporting legislation to fund more mental health counseling in schools.