2026 Massachusetts Senate election

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2026 Massachusetts Senate election
November 3, 2026
All 40 seats in the Massachusetts Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Karen Spilka Bruce Tarr
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since February 28, 2018 January 3, 2011
Leader's seat Middlesex and Norfolk 1st Essex and Middlesex
Last election 35 seats 5 seats
Seats before 35 5
President before election

Karen Spilka
Democratic

 Elected President

TBD

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The 2026 Massachusetts Senate election will be held on November 3, 2026, alongside the other 2026 United States elections.[1] Primary elections will be held on September 1, 2026.[2] Voters will elect members of the Massachusetts Senate in all 40 of the U.S. state of Massachusetts's legislative districts to serve a two-year term.[3] The election will coincide with United States national elections and Massachusetts state elections, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, and Massachusetts House.[4]

Democrats won 35 seats in 2024. This fell to 34 after state senator Ed Kennedy died in October 2025. He was replaced in a special election by fellow Democrat Vanna Howard, bringing Democrats back to 35 seats.[5] Republicans would need to net 16 seats to flip control of the chamber.[6][7] However, Republicans are leaving 29 seats—a majority—uncontested.[8]

2026 special election: 1st Middlesex

A special election in the 1st Middlesex district was called after Democratic senator Ed Kennedy died in October 2025. The election was won by Democratic state representative Vanna Howard.[5]

Primary election results[6][7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Party primary results
Democratic Vanna Howard 3,339 58.14%
Democratic Rodney Elliot 2,375 41.35%
Write-in 29 0.50%
Total votes 5,743 100.00%
Republican Party primary results
Republican Sam Meas (write-in) 372 59.42%
Write-in 254 40.58%
Total votes 626 100.00%
General election results[6][9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vanna Howard 4,306 58.19%
Republican Sam Meas 1,699 22.96%
Independent Joe Espinola 1,379 18.64%
Write-in 16 0.22%
Total votes 7,400 100.00%
Democratic hold

Retirements

  1. 2nd Middlesex: Patricia D. Jehlen is retiring.[10]
  2. 5th Middlesex: Jason Lewis is retiring.[11]

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[12] Safe D January 22, 2026

Summary of results by Senate district

Senate district Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire Paul Mark Dem
Bristol and Norfolk Paul Feeney Dem
1st Bristol and Plymouth Michael Rodrigues Dem
2nd Bristol and Plymouth Mark Montigny Dem
3rd Bristol and Plymouth Kelly Dooner Rep
Cape and Islands Julian Cyr Dem
1st Essex Pavel Payano Dem
2nd Essex Joan Lovely Dem
3rd Essex Brendan Crighton Dem
1st Essex and Middlesex Bruce Tarr Rep
2nd Essex and Middlesex Barry Finegold Dem
Hampden Adam Gomez Dem
Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester Jacob Oliveira Dem
Hampden and Hampshire John Velis Dem
Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Jo Comerford Dem
1st Middlesex Vanna Howard Dem
2nd Middlesex Patricia Jehlen Dem
3rd Middlesex Michael Barrett Dem
4th Middlesex Cindy Friedman Dem
5th Middlesex Jason Lewis Dem
Norfolk and Middlesex Cynthia Creem Dem
Middlesex and Norfolk Karen Spilka Dem
Middlesex and Suffolk Sal DiDomenico Dem
Middlesex and Worcester James Eldridge Dem
Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol William Driscoll Dem
Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex Rebecca Rausch Dem
Norfolk and Plymouth John Keenan Dem
Norfolk and Suffolk Michael Rush Dem
Plymouth and Barnstable Dylan Fernandes Dem
1st Plymouth and Norfolk Patrick O'Connor Rep
2nd Plymouth and Norfolk Michael Brady Dem
1st Suffolk Nicholas Collins Dem
2nd Suffolk Liz Miranda Dem
3rd Suffolk Lydia Edwards Dem
Suffolk and Middlesex William Brownsberger Dem
1st Worcester Robyn Kennedy Dem
2nd Worcester Michael Moore Dem
Worcester and Hampshire Peter Durant Rep
Worcester and Middlesex John Cronin Dem
Worcester and Hampden Ryan Fattman Rep

Detailed results

Candidate lists according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.[13][14]

General election results are as reported by the Associated Press.

Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire • Bristol and Norfolk • 1st Bristol and Plymouth • 2nd Bristol and Plymouth • 3rd Bristol and Plymouth • Cape and Islands • 1st Essex • 2nd Essex • 3rd Essex • 1st Essex and Middlesex • 2nd Essex and Middlesex • Hampden • Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester • Hampden and Hampshire • Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester • 1st Middlesex • 2nd Middlesex • 3rd Middlesex • 4th Middlesex • 5th Middlesex • Norfolk and Middlesex • Middlesex and Norfolk • Middlesex and Suffolk • Middlesex and Worcester • Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol • Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex • Norfolk and Plymouth • Norfolk and Suffolk • Plymouth and Barnstable • 1st Plymouth and Norfolk • 2nd Plymouth and Norfolk • 1st Suffolk • 2nd Suffolk • 3rd Suffolk • Suffolk and Middlesex • 1st Worcester • 2nd Worcester • Worcester and Hampshire • Worcester and Middlesex • Worcester and Hampden

Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire

Incumbent Democrat Paul Mark is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Mark (incumbent)
Total votes

Bristol and Norfolk

Incumbent Democrat Paul Feeney is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Feeney (incumbent)
Total votes

1st Bristol and Plymouth

Incumbent Democrat Michael Rodrigues is running for re-election. He will face the winner of the Republican primary, which is being contested by Gabriel "Boomer" Amaral and Manny Silva.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Rodrigues (incumbent)
Total votes
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gabriel "Boomer" Amaral
Republican Manny Silva
Total votes

2nd Bristol and Plymouth

Incumbent Democrat Mark Montigny is running for re-election and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Robert McConnell is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Montigny (incumbent)
Total votes
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert McConnell
Total votes

3rd Bristol and Plymouth

Incumbent Republican Kelly Dooner is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Democratic primary.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kelly Dooner (incumbent)
Total votes

Cape and Islands

Incumbent Democrat Julian Cyr is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julian Cyr (incumbent)
Total votes

1st Essex

Incumbent Democrat Pavel Payano is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pavel Payano (incumbent)
Total votes

2nd Essex

Incumbent Democrat Joan Lovely is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joan Lovely (incumbent)
Total votes

3rd Essex

Incumbent Democrat Brendan Crighton is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brendan Crighton (incumbent)
Total votes

1st Essex and Middlesex

Incumbent Republican Bruce Tarr is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Democratic primary.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bruce Tarr (incumbent)
Total votes

2nd Essex and Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat Barry Finegold is running for re-election and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Ted Semesnyei is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Barry Finegold (incumbent)
Total votes
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ted Semesnyei
Total votes

Hampden

Incumbent Democrat Adam Gomez is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Adam Gomez (incumbent)
Total votes

Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester

Incumbent Democrat Jacob Oliveira is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jacob Oliveira (incumbent)
Total votes

Hampden and Hampshire

Incumbent Democrat John Velis is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Velis (incumbent)
Total votes

Hampden, Franklin and Worcester

Incumbent Democrat Jo Comerford is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jo Comerford (incumbent)
Total votes

1st Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat Vanna Howard is running for re-election and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Sam Meas is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vanna Howard (incumbent)
Total votes
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Meas
Total votes

2nd Middlesex

Incumbent Patricia D. Jehlen is retiring.[10] The district covers Medford, Somerville, Winchester, and parts of northwest Cambridge. Five candidates have qualified for the Democratic primary. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates
Declared
Declined
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Burhan Azeem
Democratic Christine Barber
Democratic Tom Hopcroft
Democratic Matt McLaughlin
Democratic Erika Uyterhoeven
Total votes

3rd Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat Michael J. Barrett is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael J. Barrett (incumbent)
Total votes

4th Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat Cindy Friedman is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cindy Friedman (incumbent)
Total votes

5th Middlesex

Incumbent Jason Lewis is retiring.[19] The district covers Melrose, Malden, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Winchester. Three candidates have qualified for the Democratic primary. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates
Declared
Declined
Endorsements
Carey McDonald
Organizations
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kate Lipper-Garabedian
Democratic Carey McDonald
Democratic Ryan O'Malley
Total votes

Norfolk and Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat Cynthia Stone Creem is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cynthia Stone Creem (incumbent)
Total votes

Middlesex and Norfolk

Incumbent Democrat Karen Spilka is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Karen Spilka (incumbent)
Total votes

Middlesex and Suffolk

Incumbent Democrat Sal DiDomenico is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sal DiDomenico (incumbent)
Total votes

Middlesex and Worcester

Incumbent Democrat Jamie Eldridge is running for re-election and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Tim Shea is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jamie Eldridge (incumbent)
Total votes
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Shea
Total votes

Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol

Incumbent Democrat William Driscoll is running for re-election and faces Tony King and Michael Zullas in the Democratic primary. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Driscoll (incumbent)
Democratic Tony King
Democratic Michael Zullas
Total votes

Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat Becca Rausch is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Becca Rausch (incumbent)
Total votes

Norfolk and Plymouth

Incumbent Democrat John F. Keenan is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John F. Keenan (incumbent)
Total votes

Norfolk and Suffolk

Incumbent Democrat Mike Rush is running for re-election and faces Persis Yu in the Democratic primary. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Rush (incumbent)
Democratic Persis S. Yu
Total votes

Plymouth and Barnstable

Incumbent Democrat Dylan Fernandes is running for re-election and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Kari MacRae is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dylan Fernandes (incumbent)
Total votes
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kari MacRae
Total votes

1st Plymouth and Norfolk

Incumbent Republican Patrick O'Connor is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Democratic primary.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patrick O'Connor (incumbent)
Total votes

2nd Plymouth and Norfolk

Incumbent Democrat Michael Brady is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Brady (incumbent)
Total votes

1st Suffolk

Incumbent Democrat Nick Collins is running for re-election. He faces a primary challenge in part due to his conflicts with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu over property taxes.[23] The district covers South Boston. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
Latoya Gayle
Local officials
Unions
Political parties
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nick Collins (incumbent)
Democratic Latoya Gayle
Democratic Juwan Skeens
Total votes

2nd Suffolk

Incumbent Democrat Liz Miranda is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Liz Miranda (incumbent)
Total votes

3rd Suffolk

Incumbent Democrat Lydia Edwards is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lydia Edwards (incumbent)
Total votes

Suffolk and Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat William Brownsberger is running for reelection. He faces a primary challenge in part due to his conflicts with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu over property taxes.[28] No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates
Declared
Endorsements
William Brownsberger
Statewide officials
Daniel Lander
U.S. senators
Local officials
Labor unions
Political parties
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Brownsberger (incumbent)
Democratic Daniel Lander
Total votes

1st Worcester

Incumbent Democrat Robyn Kennedy is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robyn Kennedy (incumbent)
Total votes

2nd Worcester

Incumbent Democrat Michael O. Moore is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael O. Moore (incumbent)
Total votes

Worcester and Hampshire

Incumbent Republican Peter Durant is running for re-election and is unopposed in the Republican primary. Shannon Teabo is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter Durant (incumbent)
Total votes
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shannon Teabo
Total votes

Worcester and Middlesex

Incumbent Democrat John Cronin is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Cronin (incumbent)
Total votes

Worcester and Hampden

Incumbent Republican Ryan Fattman is running for re-election. No candidates filed to run in the Democratic primary.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ryan Fattman (incumbent)
Total votes

See also

Notes

    References

    1. Booker, Brakkton (2025-07-29). "The 2026 midterms are officially underway". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
    2. Shook, Ashley (September 22, 2025). "Massachusetts legislature approves 2026 primary election date". WWLP. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
    3. "Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2026". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
    4. "Upcoming Elections". Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
    5. Kuznitz, Alison (March 4, 2026). "State Rep. Vanna Howard wins special election for Lowell state Senate seat". MassLive. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
    6. "Special General Election: 2026 - State Senate -1st Middlesex". Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
    7. "Election Results Archive". Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
    8. Lisinski, Chris (2026-05-28). "Yet again, legislative competition in Massachusetts will be woeful". CommonWealth Beacon. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
    9. "2026 State Senate Special General Election". Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
    10. Gross, Samantha J. (December 10, 2025). "'It's time to move on': Longtime Somerville state senator says she won't run for reelection". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
    11. "State senator who helped pass millionaire's tax, school funding reform won't run for reelection". WGBH-TV. 2026-02-24. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
    12. Jacobson, Louis (January 22, 2026). "Handicapping The 2026 State Legislative Map: A First Look". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
    13. "2026 Democratic State Primary Candidates". www.sec.state.ma.us. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
    14. "2026 Republican State Primary Candidates". www.sec.state.ma.us. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
    15. "Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem". www.cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
    16. "State Representative Christine Barber, Somerville Democrat, to seek state Senate seat - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
    17. Wise, Sydney (2026-01-08). "Second candidate seeks Jehlen's seat". Cambridge Day. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
    18. Glickman, Julian (March 5, 2026). "State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven announces state Senate campaign at Medford/Tufts station". The Tufts Daily. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
    19. Putnam, Ellen (February 25, 2026). "State Senate: Lewis Will Retire, Lipper-Garabedian Will Run". The Melrose Messenger. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
    20. "Staff Directory • Carey McDonald". www.cityofmalden.org. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
    21. "Staff Directory • Ryan O'Malley". www.cityofmalden.org. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
    22. "Massachusetts Working Families Party Endorses Eight Working Class Champions for State Legislature". June 11, 2026.
    23. Dumcius, Gintautas (March 10, 2026). "Liberal versus super-liberal". MASSterList. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
    24. Dumcius, Gintautas (November 12, 2025). "Payback time?". MASSterList. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
    25. Griswold, Niki (June 3, 2026). "Escalating their feud, Wu endorses state Senator Nick Collins' primary challenger". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
    26. Dumcius, Gintautas (June 3, 2026). "Who's a real Republican? PAC paints Shortsleeve as 'one of them'". MASSterList. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
    27. Garrity, Kelly (June 12, 2026). "What's the deal with rent control? That's hard to say". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
    28. Platoff, Emma. "Daniel Lander, senior aide to Mayor Michelle Wu, will challenge state Senator William Brownsberger". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
    29. "Brownsberger Leans on Decades-Long Track Record in Eighth Bid for State Senate". Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
    30. Adams, Ella; Dumcius, Gintautas (March 27, 2026). "Speed bump for Waymo". MASSterList. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
    31. Boehmer, Shawn (June 18, 2026). "Elizabeth Warren Endorses Daniel Lander's Challenge to Incumbent Brownsberger". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
    32. Gross, Samantha J. (June 22, 2026). "Wu backs former aide in primary challenge against veteran Democrat, directly targeting state Senate leadership". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
    33. Boehmer, Shawn (June 11, 2026). "Cambridge Officials Split Endorsements in Lander-Brownsberger State Senate Race". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
    34. Boehmer, Shawn (June 11, 2026). "Cambridge Officials Split Endorsements in Lander-Brownsberger State Senate Race". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
    35. Boehmer, Shawn (June 11, 2026). "Cambridge Officials Split Endorsements in Lander-Brownsberger State Senate Race". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
    36. Dumcius, Gintautas (March 12, 2026). "Taking a pass on gas". MASSterList. Retrieved March 12, 2026.