By John Lynds
Last Thursday’s State Primary was quiet with low voter turnout in Charlestown and across the state. With many incumbents running unopposed few ventured out to cast a ballot for incumbents and even those incumbents who had challengers.
The story of the night was former At-Large Boston City Councilor and former Council President Stephen Murphy’s road back to elected office after losing his council seat in 2015.
In a crowded field that includes Douglas Bennett, Stephanie Everett, Katherine Forde, Michael Mackan, Paul Nutting and Jeffrey Ross, all of Boston, Murphy took 32 percent of the vote in Suffolk County and came out on top with 10,995 votes.
In Charlestown, Murphy, a well know political figure among voters here, easily beat the other six candidates and topped that race’s ticket with 399 votes out of the neighborhood. His closet opponent was Katherine Forde with 292 votes.
Murphy will face independent candidates Joseph Donnelly, Jr., Margherita Ciampa-Coyne and John Keith in November but is heavily favored in the General Election.
Incumbent Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins soundly beat challenger Alexander Rhalimi and received 77 percent of the vote in the county with 24,764 votes overall. Rhalimi ended the night with 7,440 votes.
Charlestown was no different and backed Tompkins for the nomination. Tompkins ended the night here with 676 votes to Rhalimi’s 174 votes.
Tompkins will face no challenger in November.
Charlestown voters also supported Governor’s Councilor Terrance Kennedy against challengers Stephen Borelli and Richard DiMeo. Kennedy won the race Thursday night in the district as well as beating both Borelli and DiMeo. In Charlestown Kennedy ended with 482 votes with Borelli finishing second with 252 votes and DiMeo a distant third in Charlestown with 73 votes.
Incumbent candidates State Representative Dan Ryan, State Senator Sal DiDomenico and U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano all ran unopposed in the Democratic Primary and will face no challengers in November.
Election results:
Councilor in the Sixth District
Democrat, Terrerence W. Kennedy of 3 Stafford Rd., Lynnfield, Present Governor’s Councillor; candidate for re-nomination, received 75 percent of the votes at 31,674.
Democrat, Stephen Borelli, 24 Hanover Ave., Boston, received 18 percent at 7,581.
Democrat, Richard J. DiMeo, 50 Monmouth St., Boston, received 7 percent at 2,925.
Sheriff, Suffolk County
Democrat, Steven W. Tompkins of 196 Williams Ave., Boston, Present Sheriff; candidate for Re-nomination, received 77 percent of the vote at 24,764.
Democrat, Alexander Rhalimi of 34 Highland St., Revere, received 23 percent of the vote at 7,440.
Register of Deeds, Suffolk District
Democrat, Stephen J. Murphy, 141 Warren Ave., Boston, former City Council President, County Commissioner, received 32 percent of the vote at 10,995.
Democrat, Katherine V. Forde, 670 Hyde Park Ave., Boston, received 27 percent at 9,165.
Democrat, Stepanie L. Everett, 197 Manchester St., Boston, received 11 percent at 3,902.
Democrat, Douglas Bennet of 37 South Munroe Ter., Boston, received 10 percent at 3,310.
Democrat, Jeffrey Michael Ross, 554 B Massachusetts Ave., Boston, received 10 percent at 3,593.
Democrat, Paul f. Nutting, JR., 385 Savin Hill Ave., Boston, received 8 percent at 2,736.
Democrat, Michael B. Mackan, 39 Bearse Ave., Boston, received 2 percent at 817.