Haitian-American wins House seat; victory cheered

Linda Dorcena Forry, the daughter of Haitian immigrants who has never held political office, swept to victory last night in a special election to fill a legislative seat vacated by former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran, leading a five-candidate field on the strength of overwhelming support in Mattapan, Dorchester, and a part of Milton.

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In a separate Democratic primary for a state legislative seat in Allston and Brighton, political consultant Michael Moran claimed a narrow victory over three other Democrats. Moran will face Thomas M. O'Brien, who is unenrolled, and Daniel I. Kontoff of the Green-Rainbow Party in a general election on April 12.

At Forry's crowded victory party last night, supporters exulted at the election of another candidate of color representing Boston in the Legislature. Joining Forry were Sheriff Andrea Cabral, who stunned some observers last year by winning election, and several other prominent minority politicians.

''After five months of solid campaigning, we now have an opportunity to guide a legislative agenda for the 12th Suffolk District," Forry said, calling her victory a ''new partnership." In unofficial results, Forry was leading Democrat Eric Donovan last night by a roughly 2-to-1 margin.

In Golden's district in Allston, Brighton, and a precinct in Brookline, some Democrats had said they were worried that candidates Timothy Schofield and Moran, who are supporters of same-sex marriage and abortion rights, would split the liberals' votes and throw a win to Gregory Glennon, a former aide to Golden. Last night, Glennon showed up at Moran's party to concede, but could not find the winning candidate.

''I am honored and humbled by the support shown to me tonight," Moran, who narrowly lost a race in 1998, said in a statement released by his campaign. ''I know what it's like to lose by 89 votes. Now I know what it's like to win by 64."

In Pittsfield, Democrats were choosing between Rhonda L. Serre, an aide to US Representative John Olver; former city solicitor Christopher N. Speranzo; and Councilor Patricia Malumphy. The race was unique in featuring two Republicans: Councilor Matthew M. Kerwood; and Terry M. Kinnas, a former teacher.

Jobs appeared to be the top issue in the race, as candidates vowed to make employment an issue after the exodus of jobs from a once-booming General Electric plant.

The Boston races add two same-sex marriage supporters to the House, which is expected to take up a proposed constitutional amendment this fall that would ban same-sex marriage but allow gay couples to join in civil unions. The amendment narrowly passed last year and must clear the Legislature once more to be placed on the November 2006 ballot.

In Finneran's district -- which includes parts of Mattapan, Milton, and Dorchester -- voting rights activists were closely following the election to see whether the district would elect a minority representative after a lengthy legal battle to ensure racially equitable district lines. Dorcena Forry was one of three Haitian-American candidates, joining two other Democrats in the race.   Continued...