Published in the September 9, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Saugus’ Jennifer Migliore, a Democrat, will square off against incumbent Republican Donald Wong in the Nov. 8 election.
During yesterday’s state primary election, Migliore bested Farm Street’s Saritin E. Rizzuto by 76 votes in the four Wakefield precincts included in the state House of Representatives’ Ninth Essex District. Overall, Migliore won the Democratic race for state representative with 71 percent of the vote to Rizzuto’s 29 percent.
The Ninth Essex covers Wakefield precincts 1, 2, 3 and 7, most of Saugus and a sliver of Lynn.
The victorious Migliore, a one-time aide to Congressman Seth Moulton, said this morning that Rizzuto certainly fought the good fight while running “a strong, positive race.”
“I am proud to have won in Wakefield,” she continued. “While knocking on doors throughout this campaign, I heard what people want. And that’s change. Representative Wong had a chance and has not delivered. The people of the Ninth Essex District want better roads, better schools, a better quality of life. They want a full time representative who will fight for what the people of Saugus, Wakefield and Lynn want.”
She is challenging Wong to five debates between now and Election Day.
Rizzuto said, “I would like to congratulate Jennifer Migliore on a hard-won victory. While I am obviously disappointed at the result, I am proud of the positive, issues-based campaign that we ran.
“Regardless of who won, this election has shown that the people of the Ninth Essex District are ready for change. They have shown that they are fed up of politics as usual and are ready for a fresh face to represent them.
“I would like to thank the voters of the Ninth Essex District, my family – especially my fabulous husband Dave – and my campaign team for their steadfast support throughout this campaign,” Rizzuto continued.
The Migliore-Rizzuto contest helped bring voters to the polls. Of the town’s 18,372 registered voters, 1,613 cast ballots, a turnout of 8.8 percent.
The other contested races were for Governor’s Council and Middlesex Sheriff. Incumbent Terrence W. Kennedy of Lynnfield easily won election over Stephen Borelli and Richard DiMeo. Incumbent Sheriff Peter Koutoujian beat back a challenge by Barry S. Kelleher by a margin of 637 to 473.
Republican Vincent L. Dixon will face Democrat Jason Lewis in the November election for State Senator.
Paul Brodeur, the Melrose Democrat who represents Wakefield precincts 4, 5 and 6, received 314 of the 315 votes cast here yesterday. Brodeur does not have a Republican opponent in the fall.
Seth Moulton received 1,078 of the 1,086 votes cast in yesterday’s Democratic primary for Representative in Congress. He doesn’t haven’t a November opponent either.
All results are unofficial. Town Clerk Betsy Sheeran and her staff were working today to make sure the officials results are ready by the Monday deadline.
A breakdown of voting by precinct was not available by press time this morning.
