Democrat claims victory in tight Taunton-area special election — but a potential recount looms

Democrat Lisa Field claimed victory Tuesday night in the special election to represent parts of Taunton and Easton in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. But with unofficial tallies showing just a 21-vote margin of victory, Republican opponent Larry Quintal is calling for a recount.

Field and Quintal are contending for the Third Bristol District seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Carol Doherty earlier this year.

Field is a registered lobbyist for the Massachusetts Nurses Association from Taunton and Quintal, also of Taunton, is a member of the City Council and owner of a local funeral home.

Unofficial results from the Taunton city clerk's office show Field received 1,542 votes, Quintal got 1,595 votes, and there were 2 write-ins. In Precincts 4A, 5 and 6 in Easton, 1,032 voters cast their ballots for Field and 958 for Quintal.

Just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Quintal posted on his campaign's Facebook page, "We are heading to a recount. We need to make sure every vote is counted."

"The good news is that we won," Field said at her post-election party, the Taunton Daily Gazette reported. "It was only by 21 votes so it was within the margin of error."

Field has been the associate director of the legislative division of the nurses union since 2016, and has had a long career as a labor activist. She also worked as a steward at Fitchburg State University for AFSCME Local 1067, president of AFSCME Local 1067, staff representative at AFSCME Council 93, as well as other positions.

Among the priorities on her campaign website, she lists: addressing cost of living through cutting property and sales taxes, and holding utilities accountable for price hikes; supporting first-time homebuyers; eliminating the renter broker fee; and expanding vocational education seats.

On immigration and transparency, Field said, "While violent criminals have to be deported, we have to ensure hard working families can contribute to the economy and pay taxes. I know the Statehouse is broken. I’ll fight for greater transparency, accountability, and auditing of the government to save taxpayer money."

Historically, Bristol County has had a stronger Republican presence than areas of the state like greater Boston or the Connecticut River Valley. President Donald Trump got 48% of the vote in the county in 2024, and Republican Sen. Kelly Dooner of Taunton flipped a seat formerly held by Democrat Marc Pacheco last year.

Before Doherty, the Third Bristol seat was held by Republican Shaunna O'Connell, who is now Taunton's mayor.

The Governor's Council will have to eventually certify the results of the election, after which Speaker Ron Mariano's office will coordinate a date for Gov. Maura Healey to swear in the representative-elect.

If Field wins, the House would inch up to 134 Democrats, along with 25 Republicans and one unenrolled representative.