Other legislative races that are being watched on Beacon Hill

35th MIDDLESEX DISTRICT: Representative Paul Donato, a Medford Democrat, is being challenged by Democrats Patrick McCabe and Jim Caralis. Donato is running for his fifth term. His opponents are making an issue of his lack of support for same-sex marriage; Caralis and McCabe support same-sex marriage. If Donato is defeated, it could indicate trouble for incumbents, and that a former enclave of social conservatives is becoming more liberal.

34th MIDDLESEX DISTRICT: Representative Carl Sciortino, a Somerville Democrat, is being challenged by Somerville Alderman Robert Trane. Sciortino was elected in 2004, and because he is a gay activist he was seen as a symbol of change in Somerville's gritty, blue-collar politics. But after saying his election papers were stolen from his office this spring, Sciortino did not make the ballot and is running a write-in campaign that could open the door for Trane.

NINTH PLYMOUTH DISTRICT: Representative Thomas P. Kennedy, a Brockton Democrat, is leaving after nearly 24 years to run for state Senate, and it's causing a flurry of activity to replace him. Three strong candidates with well-known names are running: Michael D. Brady, a long-serving member of the School Committee and City Council; Robert F. Sullivan, president of the City Council; and Conor Yunits, who has worked as a House aide and communications specialist for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

FOURTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT: One of the most bizarre tales on Beacon Hill this year has been that of Senator James Marzilli, a Democrat who is accused of sexually assaulting four women in downtown Lowell. He is not running for reelection, and two candidates have emerged to replace him, John W. Hurd and Kenneth J. Donnelly. One of the issues on which they disagree is the governor's plan to license resort casinos in Massachusetts. Hurd did not support it; Donnelly did.

EIGHTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT: Representative Paul Loscocco, a Holliston Republican, has left his seat and the district could be an area where Democrats expand their dominance at the State House. Republican Dan Haley, who worked in the Romney administration, will await the winner of the Democratic primary. The two candidates in the primary are Edward J. Mills of Hopkinton and Carolyn C. Dykema of Holliston. They're also split on the governor's casino plan. Mills strongly supports the plan because of the jobs it could create, while Dykema opposes it for the social problems it could bring.

For information on other primary races, readers can view a list on Secretary of State William Galvin's website, www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele08/primary_candidates.htm.