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Massachusetts, State Senate, 1st Hampden & Hampshire

Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District
Current incumbentEric Lesser Democratic Party
Population160,175
Race84.36% White, 5.26% Black, 2.52% Asian, 0.33% Native American, 0.23% Two or More Races, 0.20% Other, 0.07% Pacific Islander
Ethnicity92.98% Non-Hispanic, 7.02% Hispanic

Massachusetts' First Hampden & Hampshire state senate district is represented by Democratic Senator Eric Lesser.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 160,175 civilians reside within Massachusetts' First Hampden & Hampshire 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

2018

General election
General election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District

Incumbent Eric Lesser (D) won election in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Eric Lesser (D)
97.9
51,633
Other/Write-in votes
2.1
1,119

Total votes: 52,752
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District

Incumbent Eric Lesser advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Eric Lesser (D)
100
12,671

Total votes: 12,671
Republican primary election

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

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 Eric Lesser defeated James Chip Harrington in the Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District general election.

Massachusetts State Senate, First Hampden & Hampshire District General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Eric Lesser Incumbent 55.90% 44,602
Republican James Chip Harrington 44.10% 35,188
Total Votes 79,790
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Incumbent Eric Lesser ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District Democratic Primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, First Hampden & Hampshire District Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Eric Lesser Incumbent (unopposed)

James Chip Harrington ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District Republican Primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, First Hampden & Hampshire District Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png James Chip Harrington (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. Eric Lesser defeated Timothy Allen, James Harrington, Thomas Lachiusa and Aaron Saunders in the Democratic primary. Debra Boronski was unopposed in the Republican primary. Independent Michael Franco ran under the America First banner. Lesser defeated Boronski and Franco in the general election.

Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngEric Lesser 48.1% 28,153
Republican Debra Boronski 42.6% 24,964
Independent Michael Franco (America First Party) 4.6% 2,705
None Blank Votes 4.5% 2,637
None All Others 0.1% 85
Total Votes 58,544

Massachusetts State Senate, First Hampden and Hampshire District Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngEric Lesser 35.4% 5,374
Timothy Allen 34.1% 5,182
James Harrington 27.6% 4,189
Aaron Saunders 2.8% 430
Total Votes 15,175

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 Gale Candaras (D) was unopposed in the general election and the Democratic primary.

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District raised a total of $1,387,125. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $138,713 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $551,688 2 $275,844
2014 $732,599 7 $104,657
2012 * $102,838 1 $102,838
Total $1,387,125 10 $138,713
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.