Policy
The challenge from Evan MacKay marks Decker’s most competitive election to date. She has never faced a Republican opponent, and her last primary challenge was in 2018.
Rep. Marjorie Decker thanks her team as Cambridge election officials complete a recount of votes in the Massachusetts House primary between incumbent Decker and challenger Evan MacKay (not pictured) at the Russell Youth Center. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe team)
Rep. Marjorie Decker of Cambridge will retain her seat after a recount requested by her primary opponent confirmed the incumbent’s narrow victory Thursday.
The Cambridge Election Commission certified the results around 6 p.m., with 3,471 votes for Decker and 2,430 for Evan MacKay, GBH News reported. The results were within one vote of the unofficial results released last week.
Decker won’t have a Republican challenger in November, so the recount all but assures her of a seventh term in the state legislature. MacKay’s challenge marks Decker’s most competitive election yet. She has never faced a Republican opponent since joining the legislature in 2012, and her last primary challenge was in 2018. The Boston Globe reported.
MacKay, a Harvard University graduate student and progressive organizer, initially declared victory on the night of the Democratic primary for Middlesex’s 25th District last week. Initially, the Cambridge Election Commission shared unofficial results Tuesday showing MacKay won by 3,354 votes to Decker’s 3,314.
The commission then met to review the provisional ballots and hand-count about 250 more ballots. The new results then put Decker slightly ahead with 3,472 votes to MacKay’s 3,431.
MacKay then filed a petition for a recount, which was finalized Thursday and confirmed Decker’s victory.
In a statement to Boston.com, MacKay conceded the race and thanked poll workers and volunteers.
“The work we’ve been able to accomplish together has been incredible,” they said. “I’m deeply moved by how our community has come together to advocate for important issues, including housing, transportation, and climate justice.”
Decker did not respond to a request for comment, but GBH said the incumbent thanked his supporters during the recount.
“I just want to tell you all how grateful I am for the trust you have in me and the trust you have in the work we do together,” she said, according to GBH. “I’m excited to continue serving our community. I look forward to getting back to work on the issues we care about.”
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