Congressman Neal's win in the primary means he will serve another term since there is no challenger in the general election.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — U.S. Sen. Edward Markey and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal have won their primaries by large margins against U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, respectively.
The progressive senator had been down in the polls earlier this summer and there had been speculation the storied Kennedy name would aid in putting the 4th Mass District representative into the Senate chamber.
Each racked up a long list of endorsements, with the younger Kennedy getting a late boost from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi while Markey had been backed from the start by rising star U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
But Kennedy's bid fell short, making him the first in the Massachusetts dynasty to lose a race here.
With just under 74 precincts reporting, Markey was leading about 54 percent to 46 percent, according to the Associated Press.
Kennedy made inroads into the Berkshires, particularly North County, winning in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida and Savoy, along with picking up Hinsdale and Peru.
Markey took North Adams 1,174 to 1,065, a margin of only 109 votes. The number of votes cast was 2,485, around by early or mail-in balloting. By 1:30 p.m., the turnout was 22 percent.
In Pittsfield, Kennedy picked up only one ward out of seven, losing to Markey 5,209 to 4,460.
Several town clerks reported steady voting but no lines.
"It has been a constant trickle. Not a raging river," said Town Clerk Christine Emerson in Cheshire, where 476 out of possible 2,455 ballots had been cast by 3 p.m.
Lanesborough had a 33 percent turnout, with 753 out of 2,302 votes being cast. Markey garnered 377 votes to Kennedy's 269.
Markey took Williamstown by a margin of 76 percent over Kennedy. In November, Markey will face Kevin O'Connor, winner of the Republican Senate primary over Shiva Ayyadura.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal also held onto his seat in a Democratic primary battle that determined the 1st Mass District's congressman for the next two years.
Neal, who's been in office since 1989, bested challenger Alex Morse by nearly 2-1 so far in reported totals.
The race between the incumbent and the Holyoke mayor was marred in the last weeks by a questionable scandal around Morse that his supporters believed was tied to certain Democratic leaders trying to protect Neal.
But there was also Neal's long career and his chairmanship of the powerful Ways and Means Committee that had to be overcome.
In North Adams, Neal one four out of five wards with 1,333 votes to Morse's 900. Morse did win Ward 3 by 6 votes.
The results weren't much different in other Berkshire towns: Clarksburg went Neal 176-120, Lanesborough 394-249 and Williamstown 1,140 to 896.
Both races split Democrats -- both mayors had joined with Markey while the district attorney strongly supported Kennedy. In Pittsfield, a majority of the Pittsfield City Council backed Morse but many local Democratic leaders lined up with Neal.
But his Pittsfield support wasn't enough: Neal won the city 5,696 to 3,960. Morse didn't come close in any wards.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
North Adams Women's History Hall of Fame Inducts New Members
Heather Boulger, left, Constance Tatro and Morgan Goodell at Tuesday's night ceremony at City Council.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Five more names have been added to the Women's History Hall of Fame established by Mayor Jennifer Macksey last year.
Tuesday night saw the recognition of longtime School Committee member Heather Putnam Boulger, well-known child-care provider Constance Tatro and the city's first woman firefighter Morgan Goodell, as well as two historic figures — City Councilor Lottie Harriman, who helped establish the city airport, and Probation Officer Lois Quinn.
"This was created to honor women who contributed to laying the groundwork for women leaders in our community and to reinforce that all of us are valued community members," said Macksey at Tuesday's City Council meeting. "While we honor these fine women, we must also honor all women who make a difference each day. No matter what role you play your positive impact on the community is much need and appreciated."
Boulger, Tatro and Goodell attended the event and two of Quinn's relatives accepted the plaque in her honor and Keith Bona was asked to step in to accept Harriman's award as he had nominated her. He asked that the plaque be placed at the new building at Harriman & West Airport.
The City Council rejected the reappointment of Colin Todd in a 7-1 vote, with only Councilor Peter Oleskiewicz voting in favor. Councilor Ashley Shade was absent.
click for more
The Executive Committee voted Thursday, March 23, to ask state Reps. John Barrett III and Natalie Blais along with state Sens. Paul Mark and Joanne Comerford to file the draft bill.
click for more
Mayor Jennifer Macksey, in a brief email Saturday morning, said he will remain on paid administrative leave and had been notified his contract will not be renewed.
click for more
In other business, McKinney put forward several zoning bylaw amendments he thought the town should pursue. This work was funded through a 2019 grant.
click for more