TAUNTON — State Rep. Carol Doherty rejected a primary challenge from Taundon City Councilman Christopher Coute to retain his seat in Tuesday’s election.
“I’m extremely happy with the result. We have all worked hard to bring this crusade to this positive outcome. Thank you to the electorate and everyone who helped and supported at all times. I’m grateful,” Doherty said Tuesday night.
The most debatable contest this election season for Taunton for the 3rd Bristol district state representative seat between Doherty, the Democratic incumbent, and Coute, the Republican challenger.
The district consists of districts 1A, 1B, 2, 5, 7, 8 in Taunton; and constituencies 4A, 5, 6 Easton.
According to Taunton’s unofficial results, 16,658 voters out of a total of 39,258 registered voters stood for the midterm elections, or 42 in line with the hundred.
In the race for the state representative in Taunton, 10,460 votes were cast. Doherty won 5,756 votes out of Coute’s 4,413 votes in Taunton, with 281 votes. Doherty won 55% of Coute’s 42% in Taunton.
Easton unveiled his unofficial effects Tuesday night, with Doherty appearing with 2,092 votes, or 57 percent, to Coute’s 1,548.
Combining the two cities, Doherty with 7,848 or 56. 8%.
Coute congratulated Doherty on his victory on Tuesday night.
“I’m proud to run a blank campaign. I am proud of our volunteers. We had a commitment from a giant organization of people. I congratulate my opponent for also running a blank campaign. I congratulate her on her victory. I am very proud of the efforts we have made. We didn’t make it, but I thank everyone for their efforts over the past 6 months,” Coute said.
The differences between the two candidates have surfaced their contrasting backgrounds.
Doherty, a retired educator, worked as an instructor and management counselor at Bennett Elementary School and later as director of career advancement at Northeastern University’s School of Education for 18 years. She served two consecutive terms as president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, as well as five terms on the Taunton School Committee.
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Coute is lately in the middle of his term as a Taundon city councillor. A U. S. Army veteran, Coute served 22 years and retired with the rank of staff sergeant. A multi-business owner, Coute has turned Brownstone Realty Group into a Taunton call that specializes in new home sales and rehabilitation. He also owns the Liberty.
Doherty said much of his time as a state representative, the pandemic was due to unemployment issues, task growth, affordability of life, inflation, weather replacement and local assistance through law and credit. Emerging from the worst of the pandemic, he says those are issues he needs to prioritize in his next term through a larger law.
Coute said his most sensible priorities are enforcing the law, protecting taxpayer dollars, developing the state’s economy, saving money for residents, expanding the facility to municipalities and giving parents more of a voice in schools through a “Parents’ Bill of Rights. “
In their campaigns, any of the applicants have treated the economy as the main factor in the public’s mind. This was highlighted in the rare competitive moments that gave the impression that their candidate forged in TCAM.
Unofficial counts by The Associated Press and the decision-making board headquarters Wednesday morning showed state Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset, will retain her seat in the Bristol district, which is made up of Taunton districts 1A1, 4B1, 6; Dighton; Somersault; and Swansea constituencies 1, 2 and 3.
According to Decision Desk HQ, around 12:40 a. m. , Haddad led Republican challenger Justin Thurber by 54. 13 percent to 45. 87 percent, with about 67 percent of the votes counted. An AP estimate at the same time had 38 percent of the vote, with Haddad leading the way. Thurber through a single vote, 3,565 to 3. 564. La Haddad herself reported that with all the reports from the electoral districts, she won 8,809 votes to Thurber’s 7,451.
Veteran state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, leads challenger Maria Collins, R-Taunton with about 54 percent of the vote to Collins’ 46 percent at press time, with 89 percent of district reports. The district consists of Berkley, Dighton, Raynham, Taunton, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Carver, Marion, Middleboro and Wareham.
“We had a queue at the door when we opened. He didn’t give up. I’ve never noticed it that way,” Anne Sauerbier, a poll worker at Benjamin Friedman High School’s polling place, said of the strangely high turnout. Location had on Election Day.
She was not alone in her observation. Several polling stations visited during the day expressed the same sentiment. Diane Cote, site manager at Mulcahey Elementary School, said voter turnout was strong and consistent that day.
Taunton Police Officer Jason LaPlante saw about “100 constituents consistent with an hour on average” arriving at the Bennett School polling place on duty when security began in the afternoon.
The polling station of the Church of the Congregation of the West was so busy that the electorate had to try several attempts, in and out, just to park in its parking lot. A long, steady line of voters can be noticed waiting outside just to enter the Church’s small-sized polling station.
Both Sauerbier and Cote said the numbers were higher than they had noticed in recent midterm sessions.
Sauerbier said he had “seen a lot more voters” than in previous years.