State Sen. Joan Lovely Apparently Holds Off 2nd Essex Challenge

Updated 12 a.m.

DANVERS, MA — State Sen. Joan Lovely held a wide lead with about 37 percent of precincts reporting in the Democratic state senate race for Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem in the 2nd Essex District Tuesday night.

Danvers resident Kyle Davis mounted a primary challenge to incumbent Lovely, who has held the seat since 2013. Davis ran to the left of Lovely as the most progressive candidate in the, while Lovely touted her accomplishments for the district and her experience getting things done at the State House.

Lovely had 74.4 percent of the vote, with Davis at 25.6 percent, with 38 percent of the vote in shortly after 11 p.m.

The winner of Tuesday's vote will face Republican Damian Anketell, of Peabody, in the Nov. 8 general election. Anketell did not have a primary opponent on Tuesday's ballot.

(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.)