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December 12, 2013 at 08:34 PM
BOSTON (AP) — Democrat Katherine Clark easily defeated three opponents Tuesday to win a vacant congressional seat and become the fifth woman to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. House.
After topping a crowded Democratic primary, the state senator ran a low-key general election campaign in a state where voters have grown weary of special elections.
At an election night party n Stoneham, Clark credited her win in part on her campaign’s ability to connect with voters.
“We had a message that resonated,” she said. “It’s time for Congress to get back to work for families.”
Republican Frank Addivinola, a Boston attorney, was Clark’s closest opponent. The other two candidates were James Aulenti and James Hall.
The 5th District is heavily Democratic and overwhelmingly backed Barack Obama over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in last year’s presidential contest. The district stretches from the coast to communities north and west of Boston including Waltham, Framingham and Medford.
The seat became vacant earlier this year when longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey won a special election to fill the Senate seat left open after John Kerry was named secretary of state.
Clark will fill out the remainder of Markey’s two-year term and face re-election next fall.
Clark and Addivinola offered voters a stark choice on issues ranging from abortion to the federal health care law.
