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Massachusetts, State Representative, 1st Essex

Massachusetts House of Representatives First Essex District
Current incumbentJames Kelcourse Republican Party
Population18,398
Race96.36% White, 0.61% Black, 0.95% Asian
Ethnicity1.74% Hispanic

Massachusetts' First Essex state house district is represented by Republican Representative James Kelcourse.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 18,398 civilians reside within Massachusetts' First Essex state house district. Massachusetts state representatives represent an average of 40,923 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 39,682 residents.

About the office

Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.

Qualifications

Article LXXI of the Massachusetts Constitution states: "Every representative, for one year at least immediately preceding his election, shall have been an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen and shall cease to represent such district when he shall cease to be an inhabitant of the commonwealth."

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$62,548/yearNo per diem is paid.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar. Local governments who conduct special elections receive reimbursement from the State Treasurer's office for all costs incurred.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline is May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline is June 2, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Essex District

Incumbent James Kelcourse (R) defeated Jennifer Rocco-Runnion (D) in the general election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Essex District on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

James Kelcourse (R)
52.7
11,384

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Jennifer Rocco-Runnion (D)
47.3
10,219
Other/Write-in votes
0.0
5

Total votes: 21,608
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Essex District

Jennifer Rocco-Runnion advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Essex District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Jennifer Rocco-Runnion (D)
100
3,570

Total votes: 3,570
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Essex District

Incumbent James Kelcourse advanced from the Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 1st Essex District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

James Kelcourse (R)
100
2,096

Total votes: 2,096

2016

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

Incumbent James Kelcourse defeated Brianna Sullivan in the Massachusetts House of Representatives First Essex District general election.

Massachusetts House of Representatives, First Essex District General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png James Kelcourse Incumbent 54.06% 13,272
Democratic Brianna Sullivan 45.94% 11,280
Total Votes 24,552
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Brianna Sullivan ran unopposed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives First Essex District Democratic Primary.

Massachusetts House of Representatives, First Essex District Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Brianna Sullivan (unopposed)

Incumbent James Kelcourse ran unopposed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives First Essex District Republican Primary.

Massachusetts House of Representatives, First Essex District Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png James Kelcourse Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Edward Cameron defeated Robert Lavoie in the Democratic primary. James Kelcourse was unopposed in the Republican primary. Kelcourse defeated Cameron and independents Ari Herzog, Rama Valianti and Steven Stanganelli in the general election. Initial results placed Cameron ahead of Kelcourse. However, following a recount on November 19, 2014, the Governor and Council certified Kelcourse as the winner of the election.

Massachusetts House of Representatives, First Essex District General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJames Kelcourse 42% 6,978
Democratic Edward Cameron 42% 6,968
Independent Ari Herzog 9.8% 1,628
Independent Steven Stanganelli 4.8% 791
Independent Rama Valianti 1.4% 231
Total Votes 16,596

Massachusetts House of Representatives, First Essex District Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngEdward Cameron 62.3% 2,783
Robert Lavoie 37.7% 1,686
Total Votes 4,469

2012

Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 6, 2012 and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 29, 2012. Incumbent Michael Costello (D) was unopposed in the general election and the Democratic primary.

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Massachusetts House of Representatives First Essex District raised a total of $492,127. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $54,681 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Massachusetts House of Representatives First Essex District

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $192,216 2 $96,108
2014 $106,621 6 $17,770
2012 * $193,290 1 $193,290
Total $492,127 9 $54,681
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.