By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Labor Day not only marks the unofficial end to summer, it also kicks off the official start of the midterm election season.
Voters from all four precincts will be able to cast ballots in the State Primary Election at Lynnfield High School on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
In addition to voting on Election Day, townspeople will be able to vote early on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and Thursday, Sept. 1 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Early voting will also take place on Friday, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Early voting takes place in the H. Joseph Maney Meeting Room at Town Hall.
Town Clerk Linda Emerson said a number of residents have expressed interest with mail-in voting in the State Primary. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail application was Monday, Aug. 29.
“We had about 1,525 requests for mail-in ballots,” said Emerson. “That is going to help the turnout.”
Democratic primary
The Democratic primary features seven contested races, including Essex County district attorney and Essex County sheriff.
Defense attorney James O’Shea and State Rep. Paul Tucker of Salem are looking to succeed Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, who decided against running for re-election. O’Shea, who lives in Middleton, has worked as a criminal defense attorney for the past 24 years. Tucker, who was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2014, worked for the Salem Police Department for 32 years, and previously served as the city’s police chief.
Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger is facing off against social worker Virginia Leigh in the Democratic primary. Coppinger, who was elected as Essex County sheriff in 2016, is Lynn’s former police chief. Leigh is a licensed social worker who stated on her website that her “training and background are critical for improving the current conditions and outcomes for those incarcerated.”
While Attorney General Maura Healey is technically running against State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz of Jamaica Plain to serve as the Democratic nominee for governor, Chang-Díaz withdrew from the race in June.
Salem Mayor Kimberly Driscoll, State Rep. Tami Gouveia of Acton and State Sen. Eric Lesser of Longmeadow are the Democratic candidates running for lieutenant governor.
Former Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell, labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan and 2018 Lt. Gov. candidate Quentin Palfrey are running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.
The two candidates running for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state are incumbent William Galvin and NAACP Boston Branch President and Civil Rights attorney Tanisha Sullivan.
State Sen. Diana DiZigolio (D-Methuen) and former state Transportation Secretary Christopher Dempsey are the two Democratic candidates running for state auditor. Auditor Suzanne Bump decided against running for re-election.
There are four candidates running unopposed in the Democratic primary: Congressman Seth Moulton, Governor’s Councilor Terrance Kennedy of Stafford Road, State Sen. Brendan Crighton and State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg.
There are no candidates running for the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Republican primary
The Republican primary features two contested races.
Former State Rep. Geoff Diehl and Wrentham businessman Chris Doughty are running for the GOP nomination for governor, and are looking to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. While controversial and twice impeached former President Donald J. Trump has endorsed Diehl, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. (R-North Reading) informed the Villager that he will be voting for Doughty in the State Primary.
“While I have not formally endorsed any Republican candidate for governor, I voted for Chris Doughty at the Republican State Convention and will be voting for him in the Sept. 6 State Primary,” said Jones.
Former State Rep. Leah Allen of Danvers and former State Rep. Kate Campanale of Spencer are running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Allen is running with Diehl while Campanale is running with Doughty.
In addition to Jones, there are four candidates running unopposed in the Republican primary. Peabody businessman Robert May is running for Congress. Cape Cod attorney James McMahon is running for attorney general.
Nashua, New Hampshire-based WSMN radio host Rayla Campbell of Whitman is looking to serve as secretary of state. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Security Director Anthony Amore is looking to serve as the commonwealth’s next state auditor.
There are no GOP candidates running for Governor’s Council, State Senate, Essex County district attorney, Essex County sheriff and state treasurer.
