Democrat Field Declares Narrow Victory in Massachusetts Special Election as Opponent Seeks Recount

Democrat Lisa Field declared victory in the special election for the 3rd Bristol District state representative seat, narrowly defeating Republican Larry Quintal by 21 votes. The district includes parts of Taunton and Easton, with Field winning by a 74-vote margin in Easton and Quintal leading Taunton by 53 votes. Quintal, a Taunton city councilor and funeral home director, has not conceded and is calling for a recount, which is permissible given the slim margin of 0.4 percent difference in total votes cast. Field, a union leader and registered lobbyist for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, credited her win to extensive door-to-door campaigning and grassroots efforts. The seat was left vacant after the death of former state representative Carol Doherty, and Field emphasized priorities such as addressing the cost of living, supporting first-time homebuyers, and immigration reform. The election results will be officially certified after a mandatory waiting period, with the possibility of a recount pending Quintal's petition.