Massachusetts, State Senate, 2nd Essex & Middlesex

Massachusetts State Senate Second Essex & Middlesex District
Current incumbent	Barry Finegold
Population	167,996
Race	57.25% White, 2.06% Black, 0.36% Other, 4.55% Asian, 0.18% Two or More Races, 0.27% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Ethnicity	64.70% Non-Hispanic, 35.30% Hispanic

Massachusetts' Second Essex & Middlesex state senate district is represented by Democratic Senator Barry Finegold.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 167,996 civilians reside within Massachusetts' Second Essex & Middlesex state senate district. Massachusetts state senators represent an average of 163,691 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 158,727 residents.

About the office

Members of the Massachusetts State Senate 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
Salary	Per diem
$62,548/year	No per diem is paid.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, 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

2018

General election

General election for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District

Barry Finegold (D) defeated Joseph Espinola III (R) in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Barry Finegold (D)	62.8	35,854
	Joseph Espinola III (R)	37.1	21,202
	Other/Write-in votes	0.1	60

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 57,116

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District

Barry Finegold defeated Mike Armano and Pavel Payano in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District on September 4, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Barry Finegold (D)	47.3	9,434
	Mike Armano (D)	32.2	6,426
	Pavel Payano (D)	20.5	4,098

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 19,958

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District

Joseph Espinola III advanced from the Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District on September 4, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joseph Espinola III (R)	100	5,263

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 5,263

2016

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate 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 Barbara L'Italien defeated Susan M. Laplante in the Massachusetts State Senate Second Essex & Middlesex District general election.

Massachusetts State Senate, Second Essex & Middlesex District General Election, 2016

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Barbara L'Italien Incumbent	63.52%	45,218
	Republican	Susan M. Laplante	36.48%	25,973
Total Votes			71,191
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Incumbent Barbara L'Italien ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate Second Essex & Middlesex District Democratic Primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, Second Essex & Middlesex District Democratic Primary, 2016

Party	Candidate
	Democratic	Barbara L'Italien Incumbent (unopposed)

Susan M. Laplante ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate Second Essex & Middlesex District Republican Primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, Second Essex & Middlesex District Republican Primary, 2016

Party	Candidate
	Republican	Susan M. Laplante (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate 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. Barbara L'Italien defeated Pavel Payano and Doris Rodriguez in the Democratic primary. Alex Vispoli was unopposed in the Republican primary. L'Italien defeated Vispoli in the general election.

Massachusetts State Senate Second Essex & Middlesex District, General Election, 2014

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Barbara L'Italien	49.6%	24,559
	Republican	Alex Vispoli	43.4%	21,529
	None	Blank Votes	6.9%	3,405
	None	All Others	0.1%	64
Total Votes			49,557

Massachusetts State Senate, Second Essex & Middlesex District Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Barbara L'Italien	53.6%	6,757
Pavel Payano	36%	4,541
Doris Rodriguez	10.4%	1,306
Total Votes		12,604

2012

Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate 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 Barry Finegold (D) defeated Paul Adams (R) in the general election. Finegold was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Adams defeated Alex J. Vispoli in the Republican primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, Second Essex and Middlesex District, General Election, 2012

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Barry Finegold Incumbent	65.2%	44,394
	Republican	Paul Adams	34.8%	23,716
Total Votes			68,110

Massachusetts State Senate, Second Essex and Middlesex District Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Paul Adams	50.9%	2,655
Alex Vispoli	49.1%	2,558
Total Votes		5,213

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Massachusetts State Senate Second Essex & Middlesex District raised a total of $1,132,018. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $125,780 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Massachusetts State Senate Second Essex & Middlesex District

Year	Amount	Candidates	Average
2016	$270,888	2	$135,444
2014	$286,685	4	$71,671
2012 *	$574,445	3	$191,482
Total	$1,132,018	9	$125,780
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.