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Massachusetts, State Senate, Plymouth & Norfolk

Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk District
Current incumbentPatrick O'Connor Republican Party
Population162,565
Race93.11% White, 2.12% Asian, 1.54% Black, 0.92% Other, 0.36% Native American, 0.23% Two or More Races, 0.04% Pacific Islander
Ethnicity98.31% Non-Hispanic, 1.69% Hispanic

Massachusetts' Plymouth & Norfolk state senate district is represented by Republican Senator Patrick O'Connor, who won a 2016 special election prompted by the resignation Republican Senator Robert Hedlund.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 162,565 civilians reside within Massachusetts' Plymouth & Norfolk 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
SalaryPer diem
$62,548/yearNo 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 Plymouth and Norfolk District

Incumbent Patrick O'Connor (R) defeated Katie McBrine (D) and Stephen Gill (Independent) in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth and Norfolk District on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Patrick O'Connor (R)
48.9
42,065

Katie McBrine (D)
42.5
36,533

Stephen Gill (Independent)
5.2
4,503
Other/Write-in votes
3.4
2,903

Total votes: 86,004
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth and Norfolk District

Katie McBrine advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth and Norfolk District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Katie McBrine (D)
100
14,506

Total votes: 14,506
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth and Norfolk District

Incumbent Patrick O'Connor advanced from the Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth and Norfolk District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Patrick O'Connor (R)
100
9,955

Total votes: 9,955

2016

General election

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 Patrick O'Connor defeated Paul Gannon in the Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk District general election.

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth & Norfolk District General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Patrick O'Connor Incumbent 56.61% 52,440
Democratic Paul Gannon 43.39% 40,193
Total Votes 92,633
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Joan Meschino defeated Brian Richard Cook in the Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk District Democratic Primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth & Norfolk District Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Joan Meschino 59.60% 3,773
Democratic Brian Richard Cook 40.40% 2,558
Total Votes 6,331

Incumbent Patrick O'Connor defeated Stephen Gill in the Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk District Republican Primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth & Norfolk District Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Patrick O'Connor Incumbent 77.38% 3,868
Republican Stephen Gill 22.62% 1,131
Total Votes 4,999

Special election

A special election for the position of Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth and Norfolk District was called for May 10. A primary election took place on April 12. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 8, 2016.

The seat was vacant following Robert Hedlund's (R) election to mayor of Weymouth in 2015.

Joan Meschino defeated Paul Gannon in the Democratic primary. Patrick O'Connor defeated Stephen Gill in the Republican primary. Meschino was defeated by O'Connor in the special election.

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth and Norfolk District Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJoan Meschino 60.5% 3,714
Paul Gannon 38% 2,337
Patrick O'Connor (Write-in) 1% 60
All Others 0.3% 20
Blank Votes 0.2% 11
Total Votes 6,142


Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth and Norfolk District Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngPatrick O'Connor 85% 3,706
Stephen Gill 14.2% 618
All Others 0.6% 26
Blank Votes 0.2% 9
Total Votes 4,359

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. Incumbent Robert Hedlund was unopposed in the Republican primary.

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 Robert Hedlund (R) defeated Genevieve S. Davis (D) in the general election. Hedlund was unopposed in the Republican primary. Davis defeated Steve May in the Democratic primary.

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth and Norfolk District, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Hedlund Incumbent 68.3% 61,686
Democratic Genevieve Davis 31.7% 28,579
Total Votes 90,265

Massachusetts State Senate, Plymouth and Norfolk District Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngGenevieve Davis 72.9% 4,033
Steve May 27.1% 1,498
Total Votes 5,531

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk District raised a total of $501,373. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $55,708 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Norfolk District

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $356,507 5 $71,301
2014 $43,610 1 $43,610
2012 * $101,256 3 $33,752
Total $501,373 9 $55,708
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.