By BOB TUROSZ

NORTH READING — Fifteen percent of the town’s voters went to the polls on Sept. 9, casting 1,688 ballots in the Democratic and Republican party primaries. North Reading proved to be a generally accurate reflection of voter opinions in the state and Sixth Congressional District because with only one exception, the winners in North Reading triumphed statewide, also.

Most of the interest was focused on the Democratic ballot, and 69 percent (1159 ballots) of local voters opting to participate in that primary. Martha Coakley edged Steven Grossman, 490 to 465 for the party’s nomination for governor, with former Medicare and Medicaid chief Donald Berwick coming in third with 186 votes. There were 17 blanks and one write-in.

Seth Moulton, the Harvard Business School graduate and Marine Corps veteran, upset 18–year incumbent Congressman John Tierney of Salem for the party nomination, not just in North Reading but in the district as a whole. Moulton polled 622 votes in North Reading, a 53 percent majority, versus 390 for Tierney. Middleton attorney Marisa DeFranco garnered 93 and John Patrick Devine and John J. Gutta brought up the rear with 24 and 6 votes, respectively.

In other contested races, Stephen Kerrigan won North Reading’s nod for lieutenant governor with 486 votes over Leland Cheung with 238 and Michael Lake with 181. Maura Healey rolled over former state senator Warren Tolman here as she did statewide, 687 to 411.

Statewide, former Brookline Selectman Deborah Goldberg won the party nomination for state treasurer, but local voters went with Andover state senator Barry Finegold. Goldberg polled 346 votes here, Finegold 467 and third–place finisher Thomas P. Conroy attracted 137.

In the District Attorney’s race incumbent Marian T. Ryan staved off a challenge from Michael A. Sullivan. Ryan’s vote total here was 543 vs. 469 for Sullivan.

Republican ballot

There was only one contest race on the Republican ballot, a fact reflected in the fact that only 529 ballots were cast in that primary. Charles Baker easily captured North Reading’s endorsement with 415 votes over Tea Party favorite Mark Fisher with 108.

State Rep. and North Reading resident Brad Jones Jr. was unopposed with 443 votes and long time incumbent Senator Bruce Tarr drew 439.

For all the candidates who survived, it’s a quick sprint to the Nov. 4 general election, as voters can now brace for seven weeks of campaign commercials.