Following the statewide trend, North Quabbin’s Democratic voters handed incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey a sizeable win over his challenger, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, in the race for the party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate in Tuesday’s state primary.
Voters in Athol gave Markey a 672-313 advantage; Royalston voters chose Markey over Moulton 142-69; in Phillipston, the margin was 99-62 in Markey’s favor; and Petersham Democrats chose Markey 165-75.
In the Republican gubernatorial contest, Michael Minogue handily carried all four towns in his race against Brian Shortsleeve. Minogue carried Athol, 432-149, over Shortsleeve; in Royalston, the margin was 93-22; in Phillipston, it was 132-26; and in Petersham, the margin was 72-17 in Minogue’s favor.
Statewide, Minogue went on to defeat Shortsleeve for the Republican nomination to challenge Gov. Maura Healey in November.
In the GOP race for lieutenant governor, Shawn Oliver carried all four towns, far out-distancing Ann Manning Martin. In the primary race, Oliver bested Martin. Oliver’s margins of victory were: Athol, 455-55; Royalston, 89-8; and, Phillipston, 118-19. Returns from Petersham gave Oliver 63 votes, and “Others” received 10.
In the only other contest on the Democratic primary ballot, incumbent District 8 Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs outpolled challenger Michael Fenton in all three towns in which the race was on the ballot. Results were: Athol, 699-198; Royalston, 142-32; Petersham, 168-43.
In District 7, which includes Phillipston, incumbent Democrat Paul DePalo was unchallenged.
Turnout in Monday’s primaries ranged from a low of 16% in Athol, where 1,582 of the town’s 9,982 registered voters cast ballots, to a high of 29% in Petersham, where 330 of the 1,106 registered voters participated.
Royalston was close behind, with 329 of 1,170 registered voters, roughly 28%, casting ballots. And in Phillipston, where 322 of 1,538 registered voters took part, the participation rate was 21%.
All results are considered unofficial until certified by both local election officials and the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.