Ed Pacheco wins State Representative during high turnout election
Ed Pacheco campaigning outside of the Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Voters at the Council on Aging. 
The ballot results in Dartmouth. 
People campaigning for Ed Pacheco outside Town Hall. 
A person grabs an "I Voted" sticker.
Voters at Town Hall.
Ed Pacheco campaigning outside of the Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Voters at the Council on Aging.
The ballot results in Dartmouth.
People campaigning for Ed Pacheco outside Town Hall.
A person grabs an "I Voted" sticker.
Voters at Town Hall.
With the unofficial count finalized and a high voter turnout, Democrat Edward Pacheco has won the seat for Ninth Bristol County State Representative with 54% of the vote. While the count is unofficial, Pacheco’s Republican opponent Chester Tam has conceded.
“I intend to represent every resident of Dartmouth and New Bedford, regardless of their political affiliation, who they voted for, or whether they voted for me at all,” said Pacheco. “That is what I promised, and that is exactly what I intend to do. I am going to the Statehouse to be an advocate for the people of this district. I will listen, ask questions, challenge ideas when necessary, and work with anyone willing to deliver results for our communities.”
The count is unofficial until all ballots have been counted. Mail in voters had until 8 p.m. on election night to turn in the ballot, so not all the ballots have been counted as of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
“In the coming weeks we will launch our webpage that you can subscribe to and keep up with my happenings. After the inauguration it will also serve as a conduit to let you know what I am doing, what I voted on and why,” said Pacheco.
Pacheco won with a total 9,558 votes, with 54% of the Dartmouth vote or 7,765 votes. Tam received 7,483 votes, with 46% of the Dartmouth vote or 6,069 votes.
“I want to congratulate Ed Pacheco on his election for the state rep for the Ninth Bristol,” said Tam. “I wish him well. I hope he serves the district great, and just because I didn’t win this … I’d still have every intention to stay involved and try and remain committed to the people of the Ninth Bristol and see what I can do to help.”
There was a high voter turnout in Dartmouth, with the unofficial number being 55% or 14,356 ballots cast. This includes day-of, early in person and the mail-in votes received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Poll worker Mary Beckwith, who was at the Council on Aging, said so many people showed up that the lines snaked around the room and out the door. They even ran out of "I Voted" stickers.
One voter, Tyler, stated he votes because of the veterans who fought for the peoples' right to vote. Another voter stated she feels it is important to inform herself, needing to read through the ballot questions before filling in her ballot.
As of 1 a.m. on Nov. 4, about 60% of state results have been counted so there is no official verdicts on any other elected officials or ballot questions.
Although Democratic incumbant Maura Healey won statewide, Republican Mike Minogue beat Healey in Dartmouth. Minogue received around 53% of the Dartmouth vote with 6,928 votes while Healey got 47% or 6,778.
Democratic incumbent District Attorney Christopher Markey won in Dartmouth with 58% or 8,358 votes. His Republican opponent, Seth Aitken, received 42% or 5,502. As of 1:05 a.m., Markey is winning statewide with 59%.
In Dartmouth, five of the nine ballot questions passed. These were questions one, two, five, six and nine. As of 1 a.m., 56% of the state ballot votes were counted.
Ballot question one passed in Dartmouth with 82% support. If passed state wide, this would change the laws surrounding public record, making records held by the Legislature and Office of the Governor public.
Around 52% of voters in Dartmouth voted yes on Ballot Question two. If passed statewide, the Committee for Public Counsel Services can create a union for collective bargaining.
Ballot question three did not pass in Dartmouth with 59% voting no. If this does not pass state wide, primary elections will remain how they currently are with voters either choosing a Republican or Democratic ballot.
Ballot question four did not pass in Dartmouth, with 53% of voters voting no. If this does not pass statewide, people will continue to be unable to register to vote day of elections.
Around 51% of voters in Dartmouth voted yes on ballot question five. If this is passed statewide, the amount of revenue the state can collect in a year will be changed.
For ballot question six, only 50% of voters in Dartmouth voted yes. If this passes statewide, a Nature For All Fund would be created from taxes on certain products.
Around 64% of Dartmouth voters voted no on ballot question seven. If this does not pass state wide, there will be no changes to Zoning Regulations. If it does pass, it would decrease the amount of land for single family houses to 5,000 square feet.
Ballot question eight did not pass in Dartmouth, with 72% of voters voting no. If this does not pass state wide, marijuana sales will stay legal for those over 21 years of age.
Ballot question nine passed with 55% of Dartmouth voters. If this does not pass statewide, aspects of the restrictions on guns passed in 2024 would be repealed. If it does pass statewide, there will be further restrictions.
