There seems to be a lot riding on the November 2018 elections, and the ball starts rolling for those of us in Massachusetts this Tuesday with our state primary elections. Primary voters across Massachusetts will select general election nominees for nine U.S. House seats, one U.S. Senate seat, 40 state Senate seats, 160 state House seats, and the offices of governor, attorney general, and secretary of the commonwealth. Currently, Democrats control both chambers of the state legislature, but our Governor, Charlie Baker, is a Republican.
Massachusetts operates on a Hybrid Primary System. This means that if you are currently affiliated with a particular party, you may only vote on that party’s ballot. However, if you are currently unaffiliated, you may participate in the primary of your choice. Here are Tuesday’s ballots for Northborough:
One of the most hotly contested races that local voters will decide on is the bid for the Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate. (While Republican candidate Charlie Baker is facing a contested race, it is expected that he will win the party nomination fairly handily.) The two Democratic candidates, Jay Gonzales and Bob Massie, are very closely aligned on most of their progressive policies, with the only great difference being their experience. Gonzales was the Secretary of Administration and Finance under Governor Deval Patrick. Massie is an activist and author who works on issues of global leadership and corporate accountability, social justice, and climate change, but has no formal experience in office.
Other contested races include the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Elizabeth Warren, and the Democratic Primary for Secretary of State. For more information on these and other statewide contests, check out WBUR’s Voter Guide.
On a regional, there are two Republicans vying to oppose democrat James McGovern for our district seat in the House of Representatives. Kevin Powers is a Millville entrepreneur and small business owner, who is advocating for term limits, better jobs and energy independence. He opposes sanctuary for illegal immigrants, supports strengthening U.S. borders and national defense and is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, according to his campaign website, kevinpowersforcongress.com. Tracy Lovvorn is CEO and founder of Evolution Physical Therapy, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Grafton and has been a member of the Grafton’s Planning Board. Lovvorn’s wants to see immigration reform that includes securing all borders, better tracking of visa overstays and more effective employment verification. She also calls for improved childhood health and safety, changes in health care and congressional term limits. Her website is tracyforcongress.com.
And finally, on a local level, Northborough residents will be choosing candidates for Worcester County officials including Councillor, Worcester County District Attorney, Representative in General Court, Senator in General Court and Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds. Northborough resident Aaron Hutchins is running as a write-in candidate for Governor’s Council. Hutchins, whose father Ken was the Northborough Chief of Police for 23 years, grew up in Northborough, was a product of Northborough/Southborough schools and currently operates his own law firm in town, Hutchins Law. For more information on his campaign, visit https://www.hutchins2018.com
For additional information on the upcoming primaries, including where to vote, visit http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm