Unofficial results show incumbent Andrew “Dru” Tarr has won Gloucester, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea for the Democratic nomination for the 5th Essex District state representative seat.
“I’m feeling very happy that voters continue to give me a chance to be Cape Ann’s voice on Beacon Hill,” Tarr said Tuesday night after Gloucester’s primary results were announced.
He was challenged on the Democratic ticket by former Rockport Select Board Chair Sarah Wilkinson.
As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Gloucester Daily Times did not have results for Rockport.
Tarr will likely be the Democratic candidate facing off against Manchester-by-the-Sea Republican Christina Delisio and Essex independent Gilbert Frieden in the Nov. 3 election for the seat.
All three candidates find themselves in a similar situation to the special election held earlier this year, when Tarr, Delisio and Frieden were vying to fill out the remainder of the late Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante’s term following her November passing.
According to the Gloucester City Clerk’s office, 31.31% of the city’s 24,056 voters came out during Tuesday’s vote and City Clerk Grace Poirier said the day’s rain did not keep people away.
Tarr garnered 3,513 votes to Wilkinson’s 1,871 in America’s oldest seaport.
In Essex, it was Tarr over Wilkinson, 361-276.
In Manchester, Tarr earned 606 votes to Wilkinson’s 455.