The votes are still being counted, but state Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, appears headed for another term representing the 3rd Middlesex District.
According to unofficial results, with some precincts yet to report, Fargo received 31,786 votes compared to 21,531 for Republican challenger Sandi Martinez of Chelmsford. Martinez did carry her hometown.
Reached by phone last night at her Lincoln home, Fargo thanked voters for their support. Fargo, who has held the Senate seat since 1997, said she thought experience was the difference in this election.
"Experience, and the fact that I've worked very hard for this district. I have a record, a good one," she said.
Fargo said she is looking forward to another term at the State House.
"We have a very good session this last two years. We passed some significant healthcare legislation, the life sciences bill, alternative energy legislation," she said. "I'm hoping we can continue to build on that, and get through this economic crisis."
Reached by phone in Concord, Martinez said she was disappointed.
"Not too many Republicans fared well in Massachusetts. The Obama effect was a tsunami, it was significant," Martinez said. "I think that a lot of new voters for Obama voted Democrat straight down the ticket, and that was the one thing we couldn't predict."
Martinez said she "absolutely" plans to run again for the same office in two years' time. Until then, she said she will continue to listen to what voters want, "expound my message" and point out the differences between Fargo and herself.
"The people we talked to across the district I don't think are going to change what they want, and what they want is change," she said.
Although she was not elected, Martinez said some good came out of her candidacy in terms of raising awareness about issues not previously discussed and showing the district that "my opponent's voting record is not what she represents it to be."
