SALEM, Mass. — The contest for the 6th Congressional District race ended with veteran Democratic U.S. Congressman John Tierney defeating openly gay Republican challenger Richard Tisei.
Tierney captured 48.3 percent of the vote, compared to Tisei’s 47.3 percent; Independent Daniel Fishman garnered the remaining 4.5 percent of the vote.
The Associated Press and Boston Globe declared Congressman Tierney victorious just after 1 a.m. ET, but the Boston Herald reported that the Tisei campaign isn’t conceding, and has alleged irregularities at the ballot box in the crucial city of Lynn.
According to the Herald, Tisei’s campaign manager, Paul Moore, called for time to investigate allegations of voting irregularities, and wants to double-check ballots sent in by members of the military.
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“There are some irregularities in some places that are causing us concerns,” Moore said just after midnight. “In Lynn, we’ve had multiple reports of unidentified people saying if you want to continue to get your welfare checks, here’s how you are going to vote, and I don’t think they included Richard Tisei on that list.
“I think that kind of pressure, outside of a polling place, on people who are welfare dependent, is outrageous,” Moore said. “It may not be illegal, but it’s awfully outrageous. … In this kind of situation, I guarantee you Congressman Tierney would not be conceding.”
Tierney brushed off a Herald reporter’s question about the claim as he hugged elated supporters riding high on a night of Democratic victory.
Tierney gave his victory speech — and his only appearance of the night — after hours of keeping supporters waiting at Salem’s Hawthorne Hotel.
