'I Have No Regrets,' Gravel Says Following Defeat

Unenrolled candidate Dave Gravel thanked supporters after his defeat on Tuesday night in the 12th Essex District race, telling them he had more campaign volunteers this year than ever before.

"There is not one thing I would change today that we did," Gravel said, recognizing the letter of support from former Peabody first lady Jackie Torigian.

"The hard part of losing in not the loss, it is the disappointment you feel inside for the people who put it all out for you," he said during an election evening party at the Knights of Columbus on Main Street.

Gravel arrived to a room full of of supporters at about 8:30 p.m., rounding the room with hugs for many of those in attendance before conceding.

"Sometimes you have to accept that when you put your name on the paper there is a chance you could lose and there is a chance you could win," Gravel said.

On Tuesday evening, Republican Leah Cole won with 1,878 votes over Democrat Beverley Griffin Dunne's 1,805 votes. Gravel received 1,655 votes.