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Date: 11/22/2022
SPRINGFIELD – A very low voter turnout was seen in the region’s largest community.
As reported by the Elections Office, out of 115,755 registered voters only 28,169 residents participated in the Nov. 8 election, a percentage of 24.34.
Those who did vote overwhelming approved of the Democratic candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll racked up 19,296 votes as compared to Republican Geoff Diehl and Leah Allen’s 7,914 votes.
Diehl released a statement that read in part: “The election results certainly wasn’t what we wanted. But the people of the commonwealth have spoken. I respect their choice and I ask everyone who supported me and Leah to give Governor-elect Healey the same opportunity for success that I would have asked had the shoe been on the other foot.
“Despite the outcome, I am proud of the race we ran, highlighting the issues that are important to people across that state: education, healthcare, energy and the economy.
“For a long time, Massachusetts has been a leader in all these fields, but we’ve become complacent and too dependent on directives from Washington.
“Leah and I talked about restoring freedom through states rights and we have been passionate about giving you back control from a government that has become so big that it controls virtually every aspect of our lives.
“It is my sincere hope that our new governor will respect the desire of parents to have a stronger voice with their children’s education…That she will understand that there is a breaking point with taxation – and we’re there now – that will cause an even greater exodus of businesses and people to leave the commonwealth.
“And I hope Governor Healey’s administration will consider a more reasonable timeline for achieving renewable energy goals,” he closed.
In the congressional race, incumbent Richard Neal garnered 20,500 votes to Republican Dean Martilli’s 6,945.
Democratic candidates dominated the races for state auditor, secretary of state and attorney general.
The races for state representatives and senators were easy wins for reps. Orlando Ramos, Carlos Gonzales, Bud Williams, Angelo Puppolo and Brian Ashe did not have any opponents.
The races for district attorney and sheriff were also walks in the park for the incumbents who faced no opposition.
Springfield voters also approved the Millionaire’s Tax question as well as the re-regulation of the dental insurance.
The voters did not approve of the expansion of liquor licenses, but did approve the question concerning drivers’ licenses for immigrants lacking legal status with a 54.57 percent approval.