Deval Patrick sweeps primary here and statewide

By Janet Hefler - September 21, 2006

Island Democrats joined their fellow party members statewide to give gubernatorial candidate Deval L. Patrick a strong show of support in Tuesday's primary. Mr. Patrick jumped ahead of candidates Christopher Gabrieli and Thomas F. Reilly, winning about 66 percent of the Island vote and about 50 percent statewide. Kerry Healy, the Republican candidate for governor, ran unopposed.

In a three-way race between Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor, Island Democrats favored Andrea Silbert with about 45 percent of their votes, while Tim Murray emerged the favorite statewide, with about 43 percent of the vote. Deborah Goldberg came in second, both on the Island and in the state. Reed Hillman ran unopposed as the Republican candidate.

Senator Edward Kennedy ran unopposed as the Democratic candidate for his congressional seat, although one West Tisbury voter did write in the name of former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis. Republican candidates Kenneth Chase and Kevin P. Scott, however, ran a close race, with Mr. Chase emerging the winner with 51 percent of the statewide vote, and 57 percent on Martha's Vineyard.

In the competition for state senator for the Cape and Islands, Democratic candidate Ricardo Barros beat Doug Bennett of Nantucket. On Martha's Vineyard, it was close - 112 for Mr. Barros, and 93 for Mr. Bennett.

The Island turnout was relatively light, with 2,412 Democrats and 259 Republicans casting votes. On average, about 23 percent of registered voters turned out in the six towns. The best showing was in Chilmark, where 30 percent of registered voters participated. The poorest showing was in Edgartown, where only 18 percent of registered voters did their duty.

For Dukes County commissioner, only three candidates contested the four slots on the Democratic party ballot. The tally was 1,151 for Paul A. Strauss, 1,091 for Carlene J. Gatting, and 1,078 for Robert M. Sawyer. Woodrow W. Williams ran unopposed as the Republican candidate.