Mass. Holds 2 Special Primary Elections

Special elections are being held in Massachusetts on Tuesday to fill a pair of state Senate seats.

State Rep. Lida Harkins of Needham and physician Peter Smulowitz are vying for the Democratic nomination in a special primary Tuesday to fill the seat left open when Republican Scott Brown won the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by the late Edward M. Kennedy.

State Rep. Richard Ross of Wrentham is unopposed on the Republican side and will face the winner in the May 11 general election.

Six Democrats are competing for the Cambridge Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of Anthony Galluccio.

The Democratic winner is nearly certain to become the district's next senator because no Republicans are on the primary ballot.

Galluccio resigned after being jailed for failing an alcohol test and violating probation for a hit-and-run accident last fall.