Barry Finegold Back To State Senate After Beating Sal DeFranco

ANDOVER, MA — State Sen. Barry Finegold said Wednesday that he is looking forward to taking a little break.

The Andover Democrat had just completed a successful bid for re-election in the redrawn 2nd Essex and Middlesex District.

Finegold defeated Republican Sal DeFranco Tuesday night, with the incumbent getting 40,114 votes to the newcomer's 30,646 votes, according to the Associated Press, in the district that now includes Andover, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Merrimac, Amesbury and parts of Haverhill and North Andover.

During the campaign, Finegold said his team had knocked on 15,000 doors, and he'd personally knocked on 1,000. Finegold also spent the fall coaching his son's football team.

"We've already started thinking about the next legislative session, so there is not too much rest for the weary," Finegold told Patch. "But I was coaching my son's football team and they are done with the season. Now, it's a little bit of a break. With the campaign and football it was pretty intense. Things should be a little easier the next couple of months."

In January, Finegold will begin a third consecutive term in the state Senate, though he also served there from 2011 to 2015. He also represented the 17th Essex District in the state House from 1997 to 2011.

Finegold said he would continue to display hard work and common sense leadership.

"We'll continue to focus on education, the environment, and make sure we have a strong economy, that there are jobs in the area and that people are able to thrive in this district," Finegold said.

Finegold, whose election night victory rally was held at Palmers Restaurant & Tavern in Andover, said his votes did not just come from the Democratic base.

"I was humbled, a lot of people supported us, Democrats, but also a lot of independents and a lot of Republicans," Finegold said. "I was humbled that the message resonated across all aisles. As we said during the campaign over and over: 'I am the state Senator for every person in the district, whether they support us or not."

DeFranco, a former Navy SEAL and the founder of Battle Grounds Coffee Company, took to social media Wednesday to thank his supporters.

"To the men and women I've met along this incredible journey. Thank you," he wrote on Facebook. "Your enthusiasm, energy and support were the fuel that powered our campaign. Although we have fallen short of our goal, we should all be proud of what we accomplished in six short months."

Other Races (*indicates projected winner by Associated Press. Numbers are reported by the AP)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL 5th DISTRICT

• *Eileen Duff (D): 161, 541 votes
• Michael Walsh (R): 112, 427 votes

Precincts reporting: 91.01 percent

District/Local

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIXTH DISTRICT

• *Seth Moulton (D): 189,753 votes
• Bob May (R): 107,384 votes
• Mark Tashjian (Lib): 5,719 votes

Precincts reporting: 99.16 percent

STATE REPRESENTATIVE NINETEENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

• David Robertson (D): 9,542 votes
• Paul Sarnowski (R): 7,630 votes

Precincts reporting: 100 percent

STATE REPRESENTATIVE EIGHTEENTH ESSEX DISTRICT

• *Tram Nguyen (D): 10,724 votes
• Jeff Dufour (R): 7,095 votes

Precincts reporting: 100 percent

Candidates Running Unopposed

STATE REPRESENTATIVE SEVENTEENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

• *Vanna Howard (D)

DISTRICT ATTORNEY NORTHERN DISTRICT

• *Marian Ryan (D)

SHERIFF MIDDLESEX COUNTY

• *Peter Koutoujian (D)