State Sen. John Cronin, D-Fitchburg, defeated unenrolled challenger Ming Zhang of Westford, 44,128-11,252, in the Worcester and Middlesex District and pointed to the national election results potentially having a positive impact in Massachusetts.
“I think it was a great night for Democrats across the country. I don’t think that there were any surprises here in Massachusetts. But those victories in Iowa, Texas and Kansas are really going to matter a lot to Massachusetts.
“What I’m concerned about here in Massachusetts in 2027 is healthcare and the One Big Beautiful Bill cuts,” are set to begin in the new year, which will throw some people off Medicare and institute other cuts. “I’m very hopeful that we’re going to have a partner,” in a Democratic Congress, to help possibly prevent those cuts, he said.
“I think as a legislator you build on your work, and especially on increasing vocational high school seats across the state and region that’s work I’m going to continue to do now. I’m going to continue to work … to bring direct funds to Fitchburg and Leominster.”
And he said he’s looking forward to working with legislators from other Gateway Cities, essentially other somewhat struggling former mill cities, to help bring those cities back to life.
“I’m happy that voters have the confidence in me to send me back to do that work.”
Cronin’s opponent, Ming Zhang, who was out collecting campaign signs from along the roads on Wednesday, said “I reached out to Sen. Cronin and offered my congratulations early this morning.”
He said while he lost, he hopes Cronin and the Legislature will focus on what matters, mainly the cost of living and economic growth.
“People are struggling and choosing between medicine and groceries is a burning issue. I’m hoping the legislators in the State House will be able to weigh in and address that.”
Zhang said he saw how Cronin has touted increasing seats for vocational technical high school students, but said “I think that’s a step in the right direction but we can do more,” pointing to assessment of what is being taught, and asking, “Are they job ready? We need to measure the job readiness.”
Zhang also credits Cronin with supporting ballot Question 1, to make the Legislature subject to the public records law, but he questions whether the Legislature will try to change the ballot question before it becomes law similar to what happened with the 2024 state audit ballot question.
“I just want to make sure Question 1 stays as it is, what we voted for, without any twist or change to it. On the audit, the House bill that was approved was a watered-down version what the voters asked to do.”
And he said while Cronin is in a good spot to help Gateway Cities like Fitchburg and Leominster with his recent appointment to lead a committee dealing with that, he hopes he also pays equal attention to the needs of the Middlesex County towns in the district and their issues.
The district includes Fitchburg, Leominster, Ashby, Clinton, Groton, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Shirley, Townsend and Westford.
First Middlesex District
Margaret Scarsdale said she was honored to be reelected to serve as the state representative for the First Middlesex District, serving the towns of Ashby, Dunstable, Groton, Lunenburg, Pepperell and Townsend, defeating Republican challenger Christopher Lyons of Ashby, 12,217-7,861.
“Last night, voters across the First Middlesex District delivered a clear mandate and that mandate is they are eager for a state representative who continues to roll up her sleeves, who fights and who delivers for our towns.
“I’m also very grateful to the thousands of voters that continue to put their trust in me and the hundreds of volunteers who make this all possible and certainly to the amazing town clerks and all of the poll workers who allow people to to show up and safely and securely to make sure their voice be heard.
“I would have to say that last night’s result is just a clear acknowledgment of the great things we can accomplish when we come to work on tough issues together and I am proud to continue that work.”
‘We’re very happy with the results, and I think it’s just an acknowledgment by the district that they like this type of representation, someone that’s going to show up for them and genuinely care about their issues.”
She mentioned she felt the work she did to help encourage the UMass Memorial Medical Center to open up a new emergency facility in Groton, after the closure of the Nashoba Valley Medical Center was an important thing to work on. The facility is set to open in the new year.
“And now we have the Legislature’s commitment to work on the school funding formula,” which she is getting ready to tackle going forward, saying the towns in the district seem to be particularly winding up on the short end of the stick each year.
“This morning,” said Lyons, “I contacted Margaret Scarsdale to offer my congratulations on her victory and to formally concede the race for State Representative in the First Middlesex District. Although this was not the outcome we had anticipated, I am deeply proud of the campaign we conducted and the message we shared with the public.
“When I entered this race, I was aware that it would be a challenging path. However, I remain firmly committed to the belief that there is a place in Massachusetts for principled leadership that prioritizes service over self, people over politics, and a focus on the issues that matter most to families while striving to unite rather than divide.
“Throughout this campaign, it was a privilege to meet thousands of individuals from all walks of life, including small business owners facing rising costs, parents concerned for their children’s future, forgotten veterans, and families working hard to make ends meet. These experiences reaffirmed my conviction that we share much more in common than our political climate might suggest.
“I would like to sincerely thank my wife, Melissa, my family, my campaign team, and every volunteer, donor, and supporter who championed this effort. Whether by knocking on doors or sharing our message with neighbors, you dedicated your time and energy to this cause. I am truly humbled and will always be grateful for your contributions. Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey, and thank you for the opportunity to serve. May God bless you all, and may God bless America.”
First Worcester District
Democrat Krista Ferrante of Princeton won a tightly contested race over Susan Mulroy, a Republican from Holden, 11,624-10,125, to replace state Rep. Kim Ferguson, R-Holden who did not run for reelection.
The district includes Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Westminster.
“I got an 11:30 call from my opponent, thanking me, which was very nice,” Ferrante said. “I feel like it’s a very brave thing to run for office and I have nothing but gratitude for Susan Mulroy. She gave so much of herself and is a real great member of the community.
“I’m looking forward to working with the communities in the district. One of the first things that I want to do is build some connections with other members of the House, and looking at Medicare for All and a moratorium on data centers. … these are my main priorities and try to look at legislation on AI governance and AI data centers until we understand the impacts better.”
“We have five communities (in the district) and government should be about how we give back to each other and make a better life.”
She noted that the post had been in Republican hands since 2000, and said she was appreciate that people elected her to the position.
“I think this is an important time for our country and I hope to help people as they struggle … and deal with the issue of affordability in general. I’m looking forward to … making a real push to improve people’s lives.”
12th Worcester District
State Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne, D-Clinton, was reelected to the state representative post in the 12 Worcester District, beating Republican challenger Lisa Mair of Berlin 12,481-7,399. The district includes the towns of Berlin, Boylston, Clinton, Lancaster, Sterling and Northboro.
“I’m obviously so grateful,” Kilcoyne said. “I’m excited to each of the communities … to tackle the problems that exist in this state. I appreciate the chance to to back to Beacon Hill to keep working for the people. I’m glad that … it seems like there was a significant portion of the people here that have faith in my abilities. But it’s important to represent all of the people, not just those who voted for you.”
“It’s important to listen to everyone’s thoughts on how to keep our community a great place to live.”
One of the first items on her to-do list is to pick up her work trying to pass a bill to force insurers to cover new biomarker tests than can pinpoint specific cancer aspects and help treat them more effectively. She said the tests aren’t given if the insurers don’t pay for them, and potentially helpful treatments are never accessed.
She said there’s several other bills to be discussed as the year winds down, and she intends to be out in the communities as well, listening to people’s ideas and concerns.
“We still have a lot of work to do until the end of the year.”
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