Victories In Senate Primaries

Victories In Senate Primaries Special elections held Tuesday blu-ray copyin Massachusetts decided who will run to fill two open state Senate seats.

Six Democrats competed for the Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of Anthony Galluccio.

WickedLocal.com reported that Everett City Councilman Sal DiDomenico claimed victory shortly before 9:30 p.m.

The other five candidates were Michael Albano, of Chelsea; Dennis Benzan, of Cambridge; John Cesan; Tim Flaherty, of Cambridge; Dan Hill, of Boston; and Denise Simmons, of Cambridge.

Shortly after DiDomenico declared victory, Flaherty called for a recount, telling WickedLocal, "The unofficial vote tally tonight shows a margin of just over 100 votes separating myself and Sal DiDomenico. This race is simply too close to call. The essence of democracy is that every vote must count."

The Flaherty campaign cited voting irregularities observed throughout the day that would necessitate an investigation.

The Democratic winner is nearly certain to become the district's next senator because no Republicans are on the primary ballot.

Galluccio resigned after being jailed for violating probation for a hit-and-run accident last fall.

In Needham, state Rep. Lida Harkins of Needham and physician Peter Smulowitz competed for the Democratic nomination in a special primary Tuesday to fill the seat blu-ray copyleft open when Republican Scott Brown won the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Edward Kennedy.