2 Mass. districts' legislators still undecided months after election

Lawmakers and a special House committee on Beacon Hill will hold hearings Friday on two unresolved legislative races, nearly two months after the election took place.

In both of the close races, the Governor's Council has certified the November election results, but the final conclusion of the races remain in limbo because of legal challenges.

In one of the races, Democrat Margaret Scarsdale beat Republican Andrew Shepherd by seven votes in an open seat contest to represent the 1st Middlesex District in central Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, on the North Shore, incumbent Republican Lenny Mirra lost to Democratic challenger Kristin Kassner by a single vote.

Shepherd and Mirra each filed lawsuits over their respective races, and both cases await judgments from the courts.

The hearings before the House lawmakers are taking place because a 20-year-old ruling from the state's highest court says the House should be the "sole arbiter" of disputed election claims for hopeful state representatives.

Until a final decision is made, Mirra is allowed to represent the 2nd Essex District, which includes Georgetown, Hamilton, Ipswich, Newbury, Rowley and part of Topsfield.

The other seat in question — representing Groton, Pepperell, Townsend, Dunstable, Ashby and part of Ayer — remains vacant.

About 40,000 people live in each district. No matter the official outcomes in these elections, Democrats will hold a commanding majority in the chamber.