Ehrlich, Blaisdell win 8th Essex races

Lori Ehrlich topped the Democratic ticket and John Blaisdell was the Republican winner in the race for the 8th Essex District state representative seat, which is comprised of Swampscott, Marblehead, and Ward 3, Precinct 4 and Ward 4, Precinct 4 in Lynn.Ehrlich, a Marblehead resident, defeated Swampscott Democrat Cesar Archilla in the primary by more than a 2:1 margin.Archilla narrowly beat Ehrlich in his hometown of Swampscott with 1,755 votes to her 1,749. But it was Marblehead that won the election for Ehrlich, where she received 4,008 votes and Archilla garnered only 768. Ehrlich also beat Archilla in both precincts in Lynn with a total of 457 to 366 votes.”I’m thrilled and surprised,” she said. “But mostly I’m proud of the grassroots effort from everybody who worked on this campaign. What started in my living room just a short a time ago blossomed into something wonderful.”Archilla said he is humbled by the support he received.”I’m very proud of the race,” he said. “I’m very proud of the people who supported me. A lot of this race is geographically so I’m not surprised I lost in Marblehead. It was a great race. It was above board and everyone was congenial.”On the Republican ticket, retired Marblehead police officer John Blaisdell beat Marblehead resident Tanya DeGenova by more than a 2:1 margin. Blaisdell, who currently lives in Marblehead, was born in Lynn and schooled in Swampscott.”I won every precinct in all three communities. I think my connection to all three helped,” he said. “I’m pumped. I expected to win but I’m flabbergasted I did as well as I did. Now I see the numbers, I’m confident I’m on the right track. I’m ready for March.”In Marblehead, Blaisdell received 1,909 votes and DeGenova 824. Blaisdell garnered 689 votes in Swampscott to DeGenova’s 418. In Lynn, Blaisdell received 106 votes and DeGenova only 82.Ehrlich, Blaisdell and Marblehead resident Mark Barry will jockey for the 8th Essex District seat in the special election. Barry’s name was not on the primary ballot because he is an Independent, but his name will appear on the ballot in the March 4 special election.Barry said he is looking forward to the general election.”The majority of the voters are Independent in this district,” he said. “The Democrats are in control of the House and the Senate and voters have their choice of Republicans, who are perceived as the enemy, or Democrats who are more of the same. Being an independent might generate some cooperation and conversation.”(Reporter Jack Butterworth contributed to this report.)