Published in the September 6, 2018 edition

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — As far as state primaries go when squeezed between a major holiday and the first day of school ritual, the 18.70 percent voter turnout among the town’s 11,040 registered voters in Tuesday’s State Primary was decent.

Toss in the fact that there were few contested races and perhaps the town’s 2,065 voters should be given gold stars to match their red, white and blue “I Voted” stickers to encourage them to come back for the November midterm election.

Democratic results

There really weren’t any upsets here. On the Democratic side, Elizabeth Warren was uncontested to retain her Senate seat and drew 874 votes out of the 1,053 cast.

For the Democrat’s nominee for Governor, Jay M. Gonzalez (449) easily overtook Bob Massie (363), with near identical results for Lt. Governor, as Quentin Palfrey (476) beat Jimmy Tingle (355).

Current AG Maura Healey was uncontested and won strong support among local Democrats with 922 out of 1,053.

In the race for Secretary of State, incumbent William F. Galvin (696) won handily over challenger Josh Zakim (327).

By similar margins, unchallenged incumbents Treasurer Deb Goldberg (800), Auditor Suzanne Bump (781), Congressman Seth Moulton (929), Clerk of Courts Michael A. Sullivan (799) and Register of Deeds Maria Curtatone (780) proved why they have no challengers within their own party for their seats.

In the Democratic race for Councillor, Eileen Duff (602) easily sank Nicholas S. Torres (215).

The Democrats did not put up any candidates for State Senate or State Representative to run against long-time Republicans, State Rep. Brad Jones Jr. or State Sen. Bruce Tarr.

For District Attorney, incumbent Marian Ryan was favored by a total of 504 to 400 votes in the two-way race.

Republican results

In the three-way race to become the challenger to Elizabeth Warren in November, Geoff Diehl (558) topped the ticket followed by John Kingston (196) and Beth Joyce Lindstrom (192).

In the race for Governor, incumbent Charlie Baker (567) beat out a strong challenge by Scott D. Lively (428)

For Attorney General, James R. McMahon III (477) beat out challenger Daniel L. Shores (291).

Both unchallenged in their races, it was no surprise that native son, State Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr., the current House Minority Leader (814), and State Sen. Bruce Tarr, the current Senate Minority Leader (794), earned so many votes.

Other unchallenged Republicans in the primary included for Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, (684 votes), Secretary of State Anthony Amore (658 votes), Treasurer Kieko Orrall (642), auditor Helen Brady (648) and Councillor Richard A. Baker (618).

Joseph S. Schneider, the Republican’s choice to challenge incumbent Congressman Seth Moulton, pulled down 656 local votes. There were no Republicans fielded in the primary for D.A., Clerk of Courts or Register of Deeds.

Libertarian rsults

There were five Libertarian ballots cast in the North Reading state primary. Only two candidates chose to run for an office, Daniel Fishman is seeking the auditor’s seat and Marc C. Mercier is seeking the Councillor’s seat. Both men polled all five votes.