Donato says win proves he was right to oppose gay marriage

Patrick McCabe (D-Medford), challenger in the Middlesex-35th District Democratic primary, has conceded victory to Rep. Paul Donato (D-Medford), the eight year incumbent.

As of this posting Donato was leading by a wide margin over challengers McCabe and James Caralis (D-Medford). With 7 of 11 precincts reporting, Donato has 58 percent of the vote compared with 33 percent for McCabe and 9 percent for Caralis.

"I am very happy with the outcome of the race," Donato told PolitickerMA.com. "I think that it was a great victory for me and the people that I represent."

Much of the impetus for the challenge to Donato, the chair of the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, stemmed from his stance on certain issues including his opposition to same sex marriage.

"It was a race based upon specific issues that he felt that I was out of touch with in the district," Donato said of McCabe, "and I think that people in my district indicated that I am definitely in touch with them and the values that they have and I am satisfied with an impressive win of over 50 percent."

McCabe congratulated Donato on his victory and for his years of service to the people of Medford, which he said showed in the results of the election.

But when pressed, McCabe, the former Army ranger, acknowledged that the political issues he represented were powerful enough to guide him to an impressive result.

"I think the showing of a first time candidate running against someone who is in leadership in the House says that the issues are important to quite a few voters in the district," he said.