This is a developing story and will be updated as election results become available.
NORTHBOROUGH, MA — The polls officially closed at 8 p.m. in the Massachusetts State Election, and an apparent winner has emerged in the race for the 12th Worcester District House seat.
Democratic State Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne and Republican Lisa Mair both ran for the seat in Tuesday's election. Kilcoyne declared victory shortly after 10 p.m.
"We did it! Thank you to everyone who participated in this election and placed their trust in me to continue serving as your State Representative," she wrote in a social media announcement. "I'm incredibly grateful to the volunteers, supporters, friends, and family who gave their time and energy throughout this campaign. Your kindness, encouragement, and dedication have meant so much."
The district includes all or parts of Berlin, Boylston, Clinton, Lancaster, Northborough and Sterling.
As of 11:01 p.m. Tuesday, Kilcoyne led the race by around a close to 20 percent margin, according to election results from AP reported by WCVB.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. Election-night totals are unofficial and remain subject to local certification, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Kilcoyne, who is seeking a fourth term, was first elected in 2020, becoming the first woman to represent the district. Before taking office, Kilcoyne spent more than a decade working for former state Rep. Harold Naughton as his legislative director and chief budget analyst.
She graduated from Stonehill College with a bachelor's degree in history and earned her law degree from Suffolk University Law School.
Kilcoyne told Patch that affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing residents, particularly housing costs, taxes and health care expenses. She said she supported the state's Affordable Homes Act and tax relief package and plans to continue advocating for policies that reduce financial pressures on families and seniors. Her other priorities include school funding, public safety, infrastructure improvements, veterans' services and reproductive rights.
Kilcoyne will face Mair, a Berlin resident and member of the Berlin-Boylston Regional School Committee.
Mair, 58, has lived in Berlin for nearly 30 years and has a background in nutrition and wellness. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a master's degree in food science from Framingham State University, according to a Telegram & Gazette candidate profile.
Mair previously ran for state Senate in 2022 as an unenrolled candidate and for the Republican State Committee in 2024, according to Massachusetts election records. She secured the Republican nomination for the 12th Worcester District after running unopposed in the Sept. 1 state primary.
Mair's priorities include affordability, government transparency, education and local control, according to her campaign website. She supports reducing taxes and unnecessary fees, increasing unrestricted state aid to municipalities, respecting local zoning decisions and expanding vocational education opportunities. Mair has also called for an audit of the state Legislature and greater parental involvement in education.
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