REVERE — The race to fill the 16th Suffolk’s state representative seat ended around 9:15 Tuesday with City Councilor Jessica Giannino winning a primary victory over Joe Gravellese.
The two candidates were vying for the seat held by RoseLee Vincent, who chose not to run for re-election.
“I just spoke with Councilor Giannino and congratulated her on her victory,” Gravellese said in his concession. “This is a historic turnout for a primary, and all involved should be proud.”
It was the only contested race in the Lynn area. The seat encompasses Revere and parts of Chelsea and Saugus.
Giannino was up, 60 percent to 40 percent, an hour after the polls closed, with two precincts yet to be recorded. Gravellese said the vote was about 3,300-2,200.
“I’m very excited,” Giannino said Tuesday afternoon. “The turnout has been great. It’s been a wonderful day.”
All other candidates ran unopposed, with Peter Capano running for 11th Essex District representing Lynn and Nahant; Brendan Crighton for 3rd Essex District representing Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Swampscott, Saugus, and Marblehead; Daniel Cahill for 10th Essex District representing Lynn; Lori Ehrlich for 8th Essex District representing Lynn, Marblehead, and Swampscott; Bradley Jones of 20th Middlesex representing parts of both Essex and Middlesex counties; Joan Lovely for 2nd Essex District representing Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Topsfield; and Donald Wong for 9th Essex representing Lynn, Lynnfield, Wakefield, and Saugus.
Also unopposed were Sen. Joan Lovely (Salem and Peabody) and Rep. Thomas Walsh of Peabody. In Danvers and Peabody, Former state Representative Sally P. Kerans was the sole Democrat listed on the ballot while Robert E. May Jr. was the only Republican.
As of 4 p.m., Gravellese, who was busy making calls to residents encouraging them to get out and vote, said he was happy to see high numbers of early voters in this year’s primary.
“I feel like it’s been a really spirited race,” he said. “We’ve worked really, really hard, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results.”
At the same time, Giannino said she was grateful to be surrounded by supportive friends and family.
She also added she was pleased with the high turnout of early voters.
“This is the first election I’ve seen in a long time with such a large turnout of people who voted early, which is fantastic,” Giannino said. “I think people are still coming out, and it’s been really great.”
