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Write-in Candidate Comerford Wins Primary For Former Rosenberg Senate Seat

A write-in candidate has declared victory in the Democratic primary in the Massachusetts Senate district long represented by former Senate President Stan Rosenberg of Amherst.

   Jo Comerford, a former MoveOn.org director, topped a field of four candidates including Chelsea Kline, whose name was the only one printed on the ballot.

Comerford credited her victory to a nimble and innovative campaign organization and to more than 600 volunteers who were spread throughout the 24 communities that make up the senate district.

"I am incredibly hopeful for what lies ahead and incredibly honored to serve in the State House, " Comerford said in an interview Wednesday.

As the votes were counted Tuesday night, Comerford took a commanding lead but declined to declare victory. 

The Associated Press reported final unofficial results just before 10 a.m. Wednesday that had  Comerford with 54 percent of the vote to Kline with 41 percent.

Early Wednesday afternoon Kline issued a statement congratulating Comerford on her victory.

The two other write-in candidates Ryan O’Donnell and Steve Connor finished well back.

The Northampton Democrat said her legislative priorities include fully funding the public schools, single-payer health care, and addressing climate change.

No Republican filed to be on the November 6th general election ballot.

The record-setting tenure of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The 2011 tornado and its recovery that remade the largest city in Western Massachusetts. The fallout from the deadly COVID outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Those are just a few of the thousands and thousands of stories WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill has covered for WAMC in his nearly 17 years with the station.