LOWELL — Eight months after winning a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of state Sen. Ed Kennedy, Democrat Vanna Howard has secured a full two-year term, defeating Republican Sam Meas and independent Joe Espinola in a rematch of the same three-way contest voters saw in March.
With 100% of votes counted on Wednesday afternoon, Howard received 27,422 votes, or 58.4%, according to the Associated Press. Meas finished second with 12,435 votes, or 26.5%, while Espinola collected 7,072 votes, or 15.1%.
Howard arrived at an election-night watch part at Cobblestones in Lowell drawing cheers from the crowd after the results became clear. Howard has held the seat since winning the special election in March and has now secured her first full term in the Senate.
In an energetic speech, Howard reflected on the two campaigns that ultimately led to her victory.
“Then we had to do it all over again a few months later. September in the primary, and then today. Today it has been a long, long campaign,” Howard said. “After all of your efforts and all of your time, we are here today for all of us in the 1st Middlesex District.”
Howard noted that her first victory came after she and her campaign were told they would not be successful in the Democratic primary against former state Rep. Rodney Elliott. She then defeated Meas and Espinola in the March special election before facing both opponents again in Tuesday’s midterm election.
Howard invited supporters to attend her inauguration ceremony in January and joked that everyone could “take an hour break tomorrow,” drawing another round of cheers from the crowd.
“Then we get back to work for the people of the 1st Middlesex District,” Howard said.
Howard also highlighted the success of Lowell-area Democrats on the ballot, noting Lorena Betts’ victory in the 16th Middlesex District, state Rep. Tara Hong retaining his 18th Middlesex District seat, and former Lowell City Councilor John Drinkwater capturing the 17th Middlesex District seat.
“Because of your trust, because of your confidence in us, we finally have a Lowell delegation that represents the city of Lowell,” Howard said.
For Meas, the result marked his second loss to Howard this year after he finished second in March’s special election.
Speaking Wednesday afternoon, Meas said “the people have spoken,” but expressed frustration with the outcome.
“They voted for more government engagement, more for higher taxes, more of the same basically,” Meas said. “They chose to ignore the reality on the ground that they look at the policy of (President Trump) as a determining factor of their decision rather than voting for the dollar and cents.”
Meas said national politics played a significant role in the race, arguing voters were reacting to what he called the “Trump factor,” including controversy surrounding the president’s policies and their impact on issues such as fuel prices and immigration.
At the same time, Meas sought to distance himself from national politics.
“There’s a national-level policy and for me I believe that when you run for state-level office, it’s about dollar and cents and it’s a pocketbook issue,” he said. “People look at their pocketbook when they go and pump gasoline and pay their home heating bill in the winter.”
Meas added that voters established they “love more government” and “want everything free.”
“They want the government to take care of them,” Meas said.
Despite the defeat, Meas left open the possibility of another future run for office.
“Politics is never far from me,” he said.
Whether he seeks office again depends in part on Howard’s performance during the next term.
“If she continues to do nothing and continue to take orders from the from the senate president and not delivering on the needs and the concerns of the district, those actions or inactions will determine my decisions in the future,” Meas said.
Espinola, who finished third in the election, posted a statement on Facebook about his defeat.
“Although the election did not end with the result I hoped for, I walk away deeply grateful for the people I met and the lifelong friendships I made,” he said.
Espinola thanked voters, volunteers, family members and supporters, noting that running as an independent made every vote especially meaningful. He said what began as conversations on the campaign trail grew into lasting friendships and pledged to remain involved in the communities he sought to represent.
“My commitment to our communities continues, and I look forward to seeing you along the way,” Espinola said.
The 1st Middlesex Senate District includes Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsboro.
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