Republican Ross wins state Senate seat once held by Scott Brown
Giving the state GOP another boost as November elections approach, state Rep. Richard Ross, a Wrentham Republican, Tuesday night won the state Senate seat recently vacated by U.S. Senator Scott Brown.
Ross, 55, bested Needham physician Peter Smulowitz, a political newcomer who narrowly survived a bruising Democratic primary against state Rep. Lida Harkins, a former majority whip.
According to unofficial results, Ross garnered 15,893 votes to Smulowitz’s 9,819, giving Ross about 62 percent of the votes and Smulowitz 38 percent. Ross won Needham, seen as a liberal stronghold in the 12-community district, by a vote of 2,717 to 2,495.
The special election was one of what could be about 30 contests to fill open legislative seats this year. Although the exact number won't be known until the filing deadline later this month, more incumbents than usual have said they will bow out. Buoyed by so many vacancies as well as multiple scandals among Democratic lawmakers, Republicans see a potential to make inroads in the state Legislature.
In the other contest Tuesday, Everett City Councilor Sal DiDomenico dominated a special state Senate election north of Boston, garnering 88 percent of the votes over Independent John Cesan, according to unofficial election results.
The Massachusetts Republican Party is hoping Ross’s victory bodes well for the fall.
“Senator Brown's historic victory and Richard Ross' win tonight show that voters are seeking a return to balance in our state's political system,” said Jennifer Nassour, state GOP chairwoman, in a statement. “The Democrat machine is striking out in Massachusetts. Republicans are ready to put an end to one party rule on Beacon Hill, and we are offering the commonwealth fiscally conservative and ethically strong candidates up and down the ballot in November.”
Celebrating his victory in Wrentham, Ross told supporters, “I’m so thrilled at the towns in this district for pulling together and electing me the way they have today… On day one I promise to bring the money back to the towns of this district.”
Ross also issued a statement, just after Smulowitz called him to concede.
"Tonight marks the beginning a new journey for me,” said Ross. “I have proudly served half of this state Senate district as a representative for the past six years and I look forward to the opportunity of serving the towns in the north for the first time.
"It is a true honor to be finishing the term of U.S. [Senator] Scott Brown in the state Senate and I am energized and humbled by the support I received today. My record in the Legislature of never voting for a tax increase truly resonated with families and businesses of the district, and I look forward to continuing to fight for the taxpayers who themselves are working so hard every day.”
Smulowitz, a 34-year-old emergency room physician, angered some voters in Needham, where he lives, when he attacked Harkins during the primary for accepting contributions from disgraced House speakers she served under.
Harkins, also of Needham, fought back hard, accusing her rival of "gutter politics." She declined to support him in his race against Ross.
It’s the third time Ross has followed in Brown’s footsteps. Ross won his friend’s Wrentham selectman seat when Brown was elected to the House, and then he replaced Brown in the lower chamber six years ago, when the now nationally known U.S. senator won this state Senate seat.
By contrast, Ross had A-list support from his party, including campaign appearances by Brown. The seat was considered his to lose.
The state Senate's Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District covers Millis, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn, Wayland, and Wrentham, as well as parts of Attleboro, Franklin, Natick, and Wellesley.
In other race, DiDomenico will represent parts of Cambridge, Boston and Somerville in the Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex district. He succeeds Anthony Galluccio, a Cambridge Democrat who resigned earlier this year after he was jailed for failing a breath alcohol test that was part of his probation.
DiDomenico celebrated his victory with family and friends at Shooters Restaurant in Everett but said he's looking forward to getting to work. “I'm very, very happy with the amount of support we received in the district,” he said. “It shows the people like what they're hearing.”
Globe Correspondent Alix Roy contributed to this report.
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