Massachusetts' Twelfth Essex state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Thomas Walsh, who won a 2016 special election prompted by the resignation of Republican Representative Leah Cole.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 39,947 civilians reside within Massachusetts' Twelfth 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

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

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

2016

General election

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 Thomas Walsh ran unopposed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District general election.
Incumbent Thomas Walsh ran unopposed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District Democratic Primary.

Special election

A special election for the position of Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District was called for March 1. A primary election took place on February 2. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 29, 2015.

The seat was vacant following Leah Cole's (R) resignation on September 28, 2015. She resigned to focus on her nursing career.

Thomas Walsh defeated James Moutsoulas and Craig Welton in the Democratic primary. Stephanie Peach defeated Jaclyn Corriveau in the Republican primary. Christopher Gallagher ran as an unenrolled candidate. Walsh defeated Peach and Gallagher in the special election.

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District, Special Election, 2016

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District, Special Election Democratic Primary, 2016

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District, Special Election Republican Primary, 2016

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. Beverley Griffin Dunne defeated James Moutsoulas in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Leah Cole was unopposed in the Republican primary. Cole defeated Dunne in the general election.

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

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

2013

Leah Cole (R) won election in the special election for Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District. The seat was vacant following the death of Joyce Spiliotis (D) on November 29, 2012. Cole defeated Gregory S. Bunn in the March 5 Republican primary and defeated Beverly A. Griffin Dunne (D) and Dave Gravel (I) in the special election which took place on April 2, 2013.

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District, Special Election, 2013

Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Essex District Republican Primary, 2013

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 Joyce Spiliotis (D) was unopposed in the general election and the Democratic primary.

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District raised a total of $162,540. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $32,508 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Essex District