Maria Curtatone celebrates with family and supporters as she learns of her victory in the race for Register of Deeds.

Provost retains State Senate seat; Curtatone new Register of Deeds
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By Jim Clark

Last Thursday’s Primary Election is now in the history books, and the results are more than numerical. The hopes and aspirations of those seeking higher office, as well as those looking to retain their positions, hung in the balance as voters took to the polls to make their choices known.

In the race for the Massachusetts State House, sitting Representative Denise Provost handily defeated challenger Harry Kortikere for the 27^th Middlesex seat. Provost has posted 3,643 votes overall for 87% of the votes, compared to Kortikere’s 545 votes, representing 13% of the total tally.

“I was glad to be out campaigning, talking to people I know, and meeting others.” Rep. Provost said. “I’m grateful for the help of all the volunteers and supporters who rallied around my re-election, and I’m extremely pleased at the outcome of my primary. I look forward to another term of representing Somerville in our state legislature.”

Provost will be unopposed in November’s General Election and will therefore retain her position as 27^th Middlesex Representative.

In the hotly contested race for Middlesex Southern Register of Deeds, Maria C. Curtatone prevailed over fellow Somervilliens, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston and Robert B. Antonelli, as well as three other candidates who had thrown their hats into the ring. Curtatone received 14,534 votes overall, including 2,216 from Somerville voters, while her closest challenger, Heuston, garnered 12,990 ballots in total, 3,467 of which came from Somerville. Heuston and Concannon ran a tight race for second.

Remarking on her victory in the election, Curtatone said, “I am so very grateful for the vote of confidence placed in me by the citizens of Middlesex County. My victory was possible because of the hard work of the many supporters I have. Special thanks is due to my mother, children and family members for their love and encouragement. I also want to acknowledge the other candidates for their efforts and for extending their congratulatory messages to me. Though not formally opposed in the November election, Team Curtatone and I will continue to travel throughout the county in vigorous support of my candidacy and for the nominees of the Democratic Party.”

Expressing her feelings, Alderman Heuston said, “I would first like to thank the many volunteers, family, and friends who supported me in my campaign for election as Register of Deeds. I am humbled and forever grateful for the faith they showed in me and my candidacy. A special thanks to Gene Brune for his support, to the elected officials throughout the county for their endorsement, and for the support from many unions who saw the value in a candidate with a record of supporting labor. I would like to congratulate Maria Curtatone on her victory, she worked hard and will do a great job as Register. I also want to commend the other candidates in the race, it was a pleasure to get to know them and to run with them. Finally, I want to thank the people of Somerville for their vote of confidence in me. With some very important and exciting initiatives in store for Ward 2 and the city as a whole, I look forward to continuing to the work ahead as the Ward 2 representative on the Somerville Board of Aldermen.”

The remaining Register of Deeds candidates’ vote counts are as follows: Concannon, 10,390 overall, 188 from Somerville; Antonelli, 9,598 overall, 393 from Somerville; Ciano, 7,872 overall, 189 from Somerville; and Doto, 5,007 overall, 287 from Somerville.