Image credits - AP
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Massachusetts Republicans are set to pick their candidates for two pivotal races in Tuesday’s state primaries. The focus is on challenging Democratic stalwarts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Stephen Lynch, as the GOP looks to make a dent in the state’s overwhelmingly Democratic political landscape.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, seeking her third term, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, the contenders include industrial engineer Bob Antonellis, Quincy City Council President Ian Cain, and attorney John Deaton. Deaton stands out as the most financially equipped candidate, having injected $1 million of his own money into his campaign.
With a substantial war chest of nearly $975,000, Deaton’s campaign far outpaces Cain, who has around $22,000 left in his budget. Warren’s formidable track record includes a decisive victory over Republican incumbent Scott Brown in 2012 and a strong win in 2018, which saw her garner over 60% of the vote.
In the 8th Congressional District, Rep. Stephen Lynch, who is running for a 12th term, faces no primary opposition within his party. The Republican field includes videographer Rob Burke, health care worker Jim Govatsos, and bar owner Daniel Kelly. Burke, who previously ran against Lynch in 2022, faces a challenging race, with the GOP candidates struggling to raise significant funds. Lynch’s campaign reported approximately $1.1 million in the bank as of late June, while his challengers have reported minimal fundraising.
Democrats maintain a stronghold in Massachusetts, holding both U.S. Senate seats and all nine House seats.However, Republicans aim to gain ground, hoping to leverage their recent state Senate victories and build on their presence in the state legislature. With all state legislative seats up for election in November, both parties are preparing for a fiercely competitive season.