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Massachusetts, State Senate, 1st Middlesex

Massachusetts State Senate First Middlesex District
Current incumbentEdward Kennedy Democratic Party
Population165,084
Race65.93% White, 15.85% Asian, 4.46% Black, 1.22% Other, 0.43% Two or More Races, 0.28% Native American, 0.06% Pacific Islander
Ethnicity88.23% Non-Hispanic, 11.77% Hispanic

Massachusetts' First Middlesex state senate district is currently represented by Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 165,084 civilians reside within Massachusetts' First Middlesex state senate district. Massachusetts state senators represent an average of 163,691 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 158,727 residents.

About the office

Members of the Massachusetts State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.

Qualifications

Article LXXI of the Massachusetts Constitution states: "Every representative, for one year at least immediately preceding his election, shall have been an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen and shall cease to represent such district when he shall cease to be an inhabitant of the commonwealth."

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$62,548/yearNo per diem is paid.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar. Local governments who conduct special elections receive reimbursement from the State Treasurer's office for all costs incurred.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline is May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline is June 2, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Middlesex District

Edward Kennedy (D) defeated John MacDonald (R) in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Middlesex District on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Edward Kennedy (D)
63.9
35,068

John MacDonald (R)
36.1
19,825
Other/Write-in votes
0.0
15

Total votes: 54,908
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Middlesex District

Edward Kennedy defeated John Drinkwater, Rodney Elliott, Terry Ryan, and William Martin Jr. in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Middlesex District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Edward Kennedy (D)
26.6
4,679

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

John Drinkwater (D)
23.9
4,212

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Rodney Elliott (D)
20.2
3,557

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Terry Ryan (D)
16.1
2,841

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

William Martin Jr. (D)
13.1
2,312

Total votes: 17,601
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Middlesex District

John MacDonald advanced from the Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Middlesex District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

John MacDonald (R)
100
4,778

Total votes: 4,778

2016

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

Incumbent Eileen Donoghue ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate First Middlesex District general election.

Massachusetts State Senate, First Middlesex District General Election, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Eileen Donoghue Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Incumbent Eileen Donoghue ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate First Middlesex District Democratic Primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, First Middlesex District Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Eileen Donoghue Incumbent (unopposed)


2014

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Incumbent Eileen Donoghue was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.

2012

Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 6, 2012 and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 29, 2012. Incumbent Eileen Donoghue (D) defeated James Buba (R) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the September 6 primary elections.

Massachusetts State Senate, First Middlesex District, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngEileen Donoghue Incumbent 71.2% 44,177
Republican James Buba 28.8% 17,884
Total Votes 62,061

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Massachusetts State Senate First Middlesex District raised a total of $279,725. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $69,931 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Massachusetts State Senate First Middlesex District

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $93,618 1 $93,618
2014 $90,290 1 $90,290
2012 * $95,817 2 $47,909
Total $279,725 4 $69,931
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.