Local Candidates Advance in State Primary

– Allison Goldsberry

Tuesday’s state primary narrowed down the field of candidates who will compete for state offices in November.

Medford resident and current Attorney General Martha Coakley secured the Democratic party’s nomination for Governor, earning 42% of the vote in a 3-way contest. In Medford Coakley won 55% of the vote, according to unofficial results released by City Clerk Ed Finn. Coakley will face Republican Charlie Baker in the general election in November.

In the race to fill the seat vacated by former State Representative Carl Sciortino, Somerville resident Christine Barber emerged victorious in a four-way race for the Democrats. The district includes both Medford and Somerville. Barber received 34% of the vote in Medford while School Committee member Erin DiBenedetto secured 52%. Craig Rourke and Sharon Guzik, who ended her bid for the seat but was still on the ballot, received 7% and 6% of the vote, respectively. Barber and independent candidate Nick Lanzilli, a Medford resident, will compete in the general election.

Congresswoman Katherine Clark won her first full term, successfully fending off Democratic challenger Sheldon Schwartz. There is no Republican opponent. Clark received 85% of the vote in Medford.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan won her first term as DA. Ryan, appointed in 2013 to fill a vacancy after Gerry Leone resigned, defeated challenger Michael Sullivan. There is no Republican opponent for the seat. Ryan earned 52% of the vote in Medford.

Additional election results are available from Boston.com.

Twenty percent of Medford’s voters participated in Tuesday’s election.

The state election is taking place on November 4.