State Election 2022

Top state woman office holders weren’t popular among Saugus voters

  It was a big night for women candidates seeking top elected offices in Tuesday’s state elections – but not in Saugus. Democratic Candidate and Attorney General Maura Healey won big over Republican Candidate Geoff Diehl in the race to succeed Charlie Baker as governor. But Healey – the state’s first elected woman governor – wasn’t the top gubernatorial vote-getter in Saugus. Diehl beat her, 5,070 to 4,960.

  Democratic candidate Andrea Joy Campbell made history beating Republican challenger James R. McMahon in the election for state attorney general. She became the first black woman elected state attorney general. But McMahon beat her, 5,204 to 4,799, to take Saugus.

  Democrat Diana DiZoglio won the state auditor’s race, beating Republican Anthony Amore. But in Saugus, Amore beat DiZoglio, 5,147 to 4,098.

  In other races, state Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg beat Cristina Crawford, 5,863 to 2,559. Secretary of State William Francis Galvin beat Rayla Campbell, 5,650 to 4,271. State Sen. Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) beat a little-known Independent candidate from Swampscott, Annalisa Salustri, by a margin of 5,157 to 3,298 in Saugus as he won reelection.

  Just under 50 percent of the town’s registered voters turned out for Tuesday’s state elections.

On the ballot questions

  Massachusetts residents voted “Yes” on Question 1 – raises taxes on incomes above $1 million; amends the Massachusetts Constitution to impose an additional 4% tax on income over $1 million, with proceeds going toward education, roads and bridges, and public transportation. Saugus voted 5,917 to 4,015 against Question 1.

  Massachusetts residents voted overwhelmingly in support of Question 2 – regulates dental insurance; requires dental insurers to submit medical loss ratios to state regulators and to refund excess premiums to customers if the annual medical loss ratio is less than 83%. The loss ratio measures the amount spent on dental expenses and quality improvements. Saugus voted 6,361 to 3,506 in support of Question 2.

  Massachusetts residents voted “No” on Question 3 – regulates retail liquor licenses and the sale of alcoholic beverages; changes limits on the number of alcohol licenses a retailer can hold; prohibits self-checkout sales of alcohol and allows out-of-state driver’s licenses to be used as identification for purchases. Saugus voted 6,178 to 3,611 against Question 3.

  Massachusetts residents voted “Yes” on Question 4. That upheld the state law allowing driver’s licenses for those not living legally in the United States. It also upheld a state law allowing people who cannot prove they are living in the United States legally to receive state driver’s licenses by showing proof of their identity and birth date. Saugus voted 6,067 to 3,851 against Question 4.

Local elections

  There wasn’t much at stake on the ballot locally, as state Rep. Donald H. Wong (R-Saugus) faced no competition for another two-year term in the Ninth Essex District and state Rep. Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere) – whose 16th Suffolk District includes Precincts 3 and 10 in Saugus – also won an uncontested election.

  There wasn’t any competition in two important Essex County races. Incumbent Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger faced no Republican candidate on the ballot as he won his second six-year term. Democratic candidate Paul F. Tucker also got a free pass in his race to fill Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s seat. Blodgett decided not to seek another term after 20 years as the county’s DA.

  Governor’s Councillor Terrence W. Kennedy, a Democratic, also faced no competition in his reelection bid in the Sixth District.