Petruccelli wins primary for Travaglini seat

East Boston state Representative Anthony Petruccelli defeated his only opponent yesterday in the race for the seat vacated by former Senate President Robert E. Travaglini, handily winning a majority in a Democratic primary that attracted few voters to the polls.

With no Republican on the ballot to oppose him, Petruccelli is the de facto winner of the Senate seat, with the June 26 general vote now a formality.

"My family and I are completely overwhelmed by the support we got in the district," said Petruccelli last night from the Logan Airport Hilton, where his team gathered to celebrate. "The show of confidence is overwhelming."

According to unofficial tallies last night, Petruccelli won 59 percent of the vote, while his opponent, Revere City Councilor Dan Rizzo, got 41 percent, with all but two of the district's 61 precincts reporting. Petrucelli's vote total was 7,613, compared with Rizzo's 5,243, according to still-incomplete tallies.

Travaglini left the Senate seat in March to become a lobbyist, paving the way for Senator Therese Murray of Plymouth to take over as Senate president. The First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate district includes East Boston, Winthrop, East Cambridge, and much of Revere, as well as Boston's North End, West End and a portion of Beacon Hill.

During the race, Petruccelli had the support of a wide array of local power brokers, including Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston and Travaglini.

Rizzo had been relying on a strong showing from voters in Revere, where he enjoyed considerable support from the local political establishment. But it was not enough.

He could not be reached last night for comment.

Turnout was extremely light. Because it was a special election that occurred on a nontraditional voting day in a year with no national contests, few people in the district appeared to be aware that a race was underway.

Petruccelli said he would focus on funding life sciences research, improving the environment, closing corporate tax loopholes, and increasing aid to communities.

"Cities and towns should be given the money they need to do the job they need to do," he said.

The two candidates held similar positions on key issues. During the campaign, Petruccelli and Rizzo both supported allowing slot machines at the state's four race tracks, two of which are in the district. Both men backed Governor Deval Patrick's push to close corporate tax loopholes and allow local communities to tax meals and lodging. And both argued against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

But Petruccelli's eight years in the House of Representatives gave him something Rizzo lacked: statewide legislative accomplishments. Petruccelli was at the fore of a successful effort on Beacon Hill to force Massport to reduce emissions from Logan International Airport. He spearheaded an ongoing legislative campaign to improve state-owned beaches in the greater Boston area, including those in Revere and Winthrop. He also took stands in support of charter schools, affordable prescription drugs, and increased access to home healthcare.

Rizzo argued that Petruccelli's Beacon Hill tenure had left him beholden to State House power brokers and lobbyists. Rizzo defined himself as an outsider candidate, touting his six years in the US Navy and 21 years running a Revere-based insurance firm as evidence he was not part of an entrenched political class. The sniping between the candidates grew heated at points.

But with most residents of the district unaware of the race, Petruccelli's edge in political organizing, fund-raising, and support from advocacy groups, unions, and prominent politicians appeared to serve him well.

"We always had a positive message in the campaign about my record of standing up for people and getting results," Petruccelli said. "I think that resonated with people."

Petruccelli won in commanding fashion in three of the four cities that make up the district. He won 85 percent of the vote in Boston, 74 percent in Winthrop, and 74 percent in Cambridge, with 13 of 15 precincts reporting. Rizzo won on his home turf in Revere, with 77 percent of the vote.

But Petruccelli will return to Beacon Hill as a freshman state senator with only a fraction of Travaglini's clout.