Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll Wins Democratic Lieutenant Governor Nod

Updated 12 a.m.

SALEM, MA — Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll was the winner of the Democratic nomination to be the state's next lieutenant governor after the five-term mayor outdistanced a pair of legislative challengers.

Driscoll now joins the ticket of Attorney General and Democrat Gubernatorial nominee Maura Healey as they bid to succeed Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in the state's highest elected offices.

"Massachusetts is a place of firsts — now, with your help, we'll elect our first all-woman executive team in November," Driscoll posted on her social media account. "I'm humbled to join Maura Healey and all of you in the important work ahead, fighting for a more equitable, affordable Commonwealth.

"Let's get to work!"

With about 72 percent of precincts reporting to the Associated Press at midnight, Driscoll maintained the steady edge she held against State Sen. Eric Lesser and State Rep. Tami Gouveia most of the night. Driscoll stood at 45.8 percent, with Lesser at 34.1 percent and Gouveia at 20.1 percent.

Lesser conceded the race at his East Longmeadow headquarters at about 10 p.m.

"I just called to congratulate Mayor Driscoll," Lesser told supporters. "And congratulate her team on an incredible victory."

Lesser pledged his "full support for the" Healey-Driscoll ticket.

Former Peabody State Rep. Leah Allen was locked in a tough battle for the Republican lieutenant governor nod with about 73 percent of the vote counted Tuesday night. Allen was at 51.7 percent and former State Rep. Kate Campanale was at 48.3.

Allen, who lives in Danvers, is running as part of a joint ticket with former State Rep. Geoff Diehl to be the Republican nominee.

While the governor and lieutenant governor candidates can, and have, formed alliances for support, it is the top vote-getter in the respective race who makes it onto the state ballot.

The Associated Press called the Republican governor's race for Diehl over businessman Chris Doughty by about 9:30 p.m.

In other district-wide races on Tuesday, State Rep. Paul Tucker and Middleton attorney James O'Shea were both seeking to replace retiring Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. As of 11 p.m., they were locked in a tight race with less than 1,000 votes separating them and Tucker holding a 51.0 percent to 49 percent lead.

Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger also got a primary challenge from Lynn Democrat Virginia Leigh. Coppinger also held a slight lead with about 78 percent of precincts reporting as of midnight as he had 52.3 percent of the vote to 47.7 percent for Leight.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)