Massachusetts Post-Election Update from Rasky Partners
With thanks to the Public Affairs Team at Rasky Partners, ACEC/MA's long-time advocacy partners, here is a brief overview of the November 5, 2024 election results in Massachusetts, including an overview of the state legislative races, ballot initiatives, and Congressional race outcomes. We will update more on this next week.
In Massachusetts, all 160 House seats and all 40 Senate seats are up for reelection every two years. With the overwhelming majority of incumbents facing no general election challenger, Democrats will retain a supermajority in both the House and Senate.
State Senate
The Senate will see relatively little change in the coming session. However, two new members will join the body following recent resignations. This includes one new Republican, which will increase Republican ranks to 5 in the 40-member body:
- In the Plymouth & Barnstable district encompassing several South Shore and Cape Cod communities, Democrat Representative Dylan Fernandes defeated Republican Representative Mathew Muratore in a highly contested open-seat race.
- In the Third Bristol and Plymouth Senate district, Republican Kelly Dooner declared victory over Democrat Joe Pacheco to replace longtime Democratic Senator Marc Pacheco.
House of Representatives
With multiple races still uncalled as of November 6, it remains unclear if there will be any net change in the party makeup in the House. However, Republicans picked up seats in competitive districts, and Democrats flipped at least one seat:
- Justin Thurber (R) unseated Democratic veteran Rep. Patricia Haddad in the Fifth Bristol district.
- Ken Sweezey (R) won the seat formerly held by Democrat Josh Cutler, who resigned to join the Healey administration.
- Michelle Badger (D) secured the First Plymouth district seat after Rep. Mathew Muratore (R) left to pursue the Senate bid.
Ballot Initiatives
Massachusetts voters also weighed in on a series of significant ballot initiatives:
- Question 1: State Auditor’s Power to Audit the Legislature (Passed)
- Question 2: Elimination of the MCAS Standardized Test as a High School Graduation Requirement (Passed)
- Question 3: Authorization Rideshare Driver Unionization (Passed)
- Question 4: Legalization of Certain Natural Psychedelics (Failed)
- Question 5: Minimum Wage Increase for Tipped Workers (Failed)
Congress
At the federal level, there will be no change in the State's elected officials. Incumbent Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren defeated Republican challenger John Deaton, and each of the state's nine congressional representatives were reelected.
