Deval Patrick Governor-Elect, Downing State Senator

12:00AM / Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Massachusetts Governor-elect Deval Patrick

UPDATED 5:48 a.m. 11.08.06

Democrat Deval Patrick made state history on Nov. 7 as the first African-American elected as governor of Massachusetts. Patrick and Lieutenant Gov.-elect Tim Murray challenged incumbent Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, who served with Gov. Mitt Romney, and running mate Reed Hillman in a heated race. Healey delivered a concession speech shortly after 9 p.m..

Patrick also beat Independent candidiate Christy Mihos and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross.

U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy has been declared the winner over his Republican challenger Ken Chase. Kennedy delivered a victory speech just before 10 p.m..

U.S. Congressman John Olver was reelected after the Democrat handed a defeat to challenger and Independent candidate William Szych.

Democrat Benjamin Downing was elected to a state Senate seat currently held by outgoing state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr..

Democrat Benjamin Downing was elected by a majority of voters in Berkshire, Franklin and parts of Hampshire counties as the candidate who will replace outgoing state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr.. Downing defeated Republican Matthew Kinnamen and Green/Rainbow party candidate Dion C. Robbins-Zust.

Nuciforo decided against seeking reelection to the state Senate earlier this year.

Patrick captured 56 percent of the vote state-wide, while Healey managed to draw 35 percent of the vote. Mihos collected 7 percent of the vote and Ross attracted two percent of the state's ballots.

Kennedy defeated Chase after he snatched 69 percent of the vote. Chase drew 31 percent of voter ballots.

Downing outpolled Kinnaman in the senate district 71 percent to 25 percent. Robbins-Zust drew 4 percent of the vote.

State Rep. Denis Guyer claimed a commanding victory over challenger Stefan Racz. Guyer, a Democrat, pulled 77 percent of the vote for the Second Berkshire District to Racz's 23 percent.

North Adams native and Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley was elected the state's Attorney General. Coakley clobbered challenger Lawrence W. Frisoli with 73 percent of the state-wide vote. Frisoli secured 27 percent of the vote.

Current Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly did not seek reelection.

Vermont's incumbent Republican Gov. James Douglas was reelected after voters rejected challenges from Democrat Scudder Parker, Independent Cris Ericson, Green Party candidate James Hogan,Localist Benjamin Clarke and Liberty Union Party candidate Robert Skold.

In Vermont, state Rep. Bernie Sanders, an Independent, is the winner for a U.S. Senate seat over Republican Rich Tarrant.

Democrat Peter Welch is the winner of the Vermont District 1 House of Representatives race over Republican Martha Rainville.