Martha Coakley (D) and Charlie Baker (R) are the top two candidates for the Gubernatorial election. There is a third party candidate, Evan Falchuk (I), who is gaining favor within his subgroup.
Coakley is currently the Massachusetts Attorney General and has been since 2006. She was the first woman elected to this position. Baker is the former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim and also served as Administration & Finance as well as Health & Human Services cabinet positions under Weld & Cellucci. Falchuk is spearheading the United Independent Party, which faces validation in this election.
In the first hour, Baker lead straight out of the gate with 50%, Coakley followed closely with 47%, and gained a solid Falchuk 3%.
In the second hour, Baker dropped to 47.4%, Coakley rose to 47.8%, and Falchuk rose to 3.3%.
In the third hour, Baker rose again to 48%, Coakley dropped slightly to 47%, and Falchuk maintained 3.3%.
With 2.3% of the precincts left to report in, Coakley refuses to concede until all the votes have been counted. As it stands at near 1:00am Baker leads with 48.3%, Coakley has 46.7%, and Falchuk holds steady with 3.3%. Since Falchuk was able to maintain a percentage above 3%, the United Independent Party will be able to hold primaries and be recognized as a legitimate party.
UPDATED: As of 1:19am, Baker is officially the Governor of Massachusetts winning with 48.4%. Coakley comes in with 46.6%. No official word on her conceding yet.
Maura Healey (D) and John B. Miller (R) attorney general candidates. Healey served as deputy attorney general under Coakley and played a notable role in Massachusetts’ efforts to abolish the Defense of Marriage Act. Miller has degrees from MIT in Civil Engineering and Soil Mechanics. He has been in private practice dealing with construction and government contracts law.
Maura Healey wins the Attorney General slot. She becomes the first lesbian elected into a state office.
Question 1 was on the gas tax. It was passed with 52.6% for and 47.4% against. This repeals the 2013 law that increases gas tax with inflation.
Question 2 presented a new bottle bill. This would expand the state’s beverage container recycling law to include all non-alcoholic containers. It was rejected, and so recycling laws and procedures will remain the same.
Question 4 dictated the Casino Law Repeal. Should the law pass, it would repeal the 2011 law allowing three casinos and a slots parlor to be built. This was rejected, and construction will continue on schedule. Gambling laws will remain unchanged.
Question 4 upon being passed, requires employers to provide paid sick leave for employees. For every 30 hours employees work, they will earn 1 hour of paid sick leave. Employees can earn up to 40 hours of paid sick leave a year. This will affect companies with 11 or more employees.
Abbi Matheson 