Onto November: Robertson, Prinzivalli Win State Rep Primaries

TEWKSBURY, MA -- Tewksbury resident David Robertson defeated four opponents to claim victory in the Democratic primary for the 19th Middlesex District seat in the state House of Representatives. Robertson moves on to face Pina Prinzivalli, a 34-year-old Tewksbury banker who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, and independent candidate Patricia Meuse in November's general election to see who will represent Tewksbury and Wilmington in the legislature.

Robertson is trying to claim the seat held by his former boss, James Miceli, a Wilmington Democrat who died April 21 while planning to run for re-election. Robertson was Miceli's legislative aide. Miceli, 83, had been the district's representative for nearly 44 years at the time of his death. While Prinzivalli declared her candidacy last October, Miceli's death prompted a flood of interest in the race and had candidates scrambling to get signatures to appear on the ballot ahead of a May 1 deadline.

Unofficial Results - all precincts reporting

While the campaign's lone debate on August 22 was mostly cordial, anonymous attacks on two of the favored candidates marred the race. Tewksbury Selectman Mark Kratman came under fire after it was revealed that he continued to vote in Boston for several years after moving to Tewksbury, and an anonymous letter writer tipped off the candidates, the press, and, eventually, voters with a direct mailing, saying that former Wilmington Selectman Judy O'Connell had two tax liens on her Wilmington home.

Robertson enters the general election race well funded, according to pre-primary campaign finance reports due on Aug. 27. Robertson has raised $8,440.00 from 82 donations. His campaign spent a total of $10,870.05 out-of-pocket in campaign expenses during the reporting period, and his campaign has $7,168.22 in liabilities.

Prinzivalli, meanwhile, received 93 donations totaling $12,165 between April 1 and Aug. 17. Prinzivalli, had an ending balance of more than $15,000 at the close of the reporting period. Meuse, the independent candidate, had raised only $150, according to the Aug. 27 reports.

More on this story: Upsets Galore In Key Massachusetts Races. Plus: Read Patch's pre-primary profiles of Pina Prinzivalli and David Robertson.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).