Creem Wins Primary Contest

Early after polls closed, it appeared Democrats had voted to send Cynthia Creem back to the State Senate for a seventh term tonight despite a hard-fought campaign by challenger Charles Rudnick.

"I've just been informed that Charles Rudnick is calling Senator Creem to concede," said campaign manager Michael Sherry at about 8:40 p.m. The news was greeted by loud applause at Baker's Best on Lincoln Street in Newton.

Minutes later, Creem's grandchildren, Olivia Sharenow and Jacob and Lily Creem, who attend the Ward School, started jumping up and down. "She's here! She's here!" the trio called to the crowd.

Creem entered the shop at about 8:55 p.m. and was greeted with more applause. "I fell in love with my district again," said Creem, "In the end, this was really about the issues."

Creem thanked all her supporters, and pointed out Sherry and Deputy Campaign Manager David Cody in particular during a brief speech she gave just inside the shop's doors.

Despite the final numbers, Rudnick's campaign had a celebratory tone Tuesday night as more than 40 supporters toasted their glasses to the local challenger. "Tonight is still a victory party," Rudnick said after conceding to Creem. "It's a victory for all of us who worked to change the status quo."

At the Union Street Bar in Newton Centre, Rudnick thanked his family, friends and supporters, a crowd of about 40 people. "I was told over and over again I wouldn't win, but it is worth it to try if you believe the system needs to change as much as I believe it needs to change," Rudnick said. "Beacon Hill has become mired in cynicism and has lost touch with the people it is supposed to be serving."

As he underlined the accomplishments of his campaign, Rudnick's children tumbled around the room, occasionally stopping to give their father a hug.

Unofficial preliminary numbers from the Town Clerk's office put the race in Wellesley at 739 to 433 in Creem's favor.

The Republican Party has not fielded a candidate in the race for the Democratic Party nomination in the First Middlesex and Norfolk District, so the nomination clinches the senator's return to Beacon Hill after the general election in November.