Rep. Stanley Resurgent, Devaney Defeated
Turnout in Tuesday’s state primary in Waltham was 20%, according to unofficial results. Many popular Democratic incumbents ran unopposed, but there were two noteworthy rematch results.
Stanley Resurgent
Longtime state Rep. Tom Stanley won his Democratic state primary by a comfortable 57% to 42% margin, clearing the way for likely re-election.
Stanley defeated returning progressive challenger Heather May by 725 votes (2,720 to 1,995), according to unofficial results.
The 9th Middlesex District covers most, but not all, of Waltham.
“I want to thank Waltham voters for their support and I look forward to the general election in November,” he said.
It was a bounce back win for Stanley after a close call in the 2022 Democratic state primary, when he beat May by only 300 votes or 6%—his narrowest margin of victory in years.
Stanley will now head into the November election as the clear favorite against two longshot newcomers: Independent candidate Sean Diamond, who represents the Forward party, and Republican Carly Downs.
Tuesday's primary result was also the latest setback for Waltham progressives and another Waltham primary loss for May.
She has now lost two Democratic primaries for 9th Middlesex and failed to emerge from a 2019 Ward 2 Waltham city council preliminary election.
Devaney Defeated
Meanwhile, another rematch saw the challenger emerge victorious. In the Democratic primary for Governor’s Council Third District, Mara Dolan beat longtime incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney of Watertown.
The public defender from Concord won by a margin of 52% to 48%, according to the Associated Press.
“Voters made clear they want a more enlightened judiciary, with the perspective of a public defender to help ensure equal justice under the law,” Dolan said. “I am incredibly honored to be the Democratic nominee and looking forward to serving as Governor’s Councilor.”
The Governor’s Council advises on judicial nominations and pardons and commutations. The Third District represents more than 30 communities.
For years, various challengers have tried and failed to unseat Devaney, who was first elected in 1999.
Dolan nearly beat her in the last Democratic state primary in September 2022. After Tuesday's triumph, she is now expected to win as the nominee in November.
