GOP Gains Mass. House Seat, Dems Hold Another

Republicans have picked up another seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Peter Durant defeated incumbent Democrat Geraldo Alicea on Tuesday in a rematch of last November's race that was ruled a tie following a recount.

"You know I think it's time to put all that behind us, move on, and go about the work of the district," Durant said.

Unofficial returns from the 6th Worcester District showed another close race, but Durant prevailed with 3,325 votes to 3,269 for Alicea. Two independent candidates were also on the special election ballot.

While Republicans remain heavily outnumbered in the 160-member House, Durant's victory brings the GOP's ranks to 32 members — more than double the number from last year's session.

In another special election on Tuesday, Democrats held on to a seat in the 10th Middlesex District, as John Lawn defeated Republican James Dixon to fill the seat vacated when former Rep. Peter Koutoujian was named sheriff of Middlesex County.

With reporting from The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom

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