Niki Tsongas Re-elected

Democrat Niki Tsongas on Tuesday was re-elected to her Third District Congressional seat.

The incumbent defeated Republican challenger Ann Wofford. Tsongas earned about 62 percent of the vote, according to the Associated Press.

In Westford, Tsongas earned 5,249 votes compared to Wofford’s 3,634.

Tsongas issued the following statement following her win:

I want to thank the voters of the Third Congressional District for re-electing me and giving me the privilege of continuing to represent you in Congress.

And, I want to thank Ann Wofford for waging a spirited, issues-oriented campaign.

I have always appreciated that this is an independent-minded district and that I can never take any vote for granted. It is why I have made staying in touch with the people I represent one of the hallmarks of my office, and I pledge to continue to keep my door open as an accessible representative to the individuals and families, entrepreneurs, employees and employers at businesses small and large, and local organizations and leaders who are working every day to better our communities.

I also commit to returning to Washington on your behalf to solve the hard problems our country is facing without short-changing middle class families, or putting added burdens on our servicemembers, students or seniors. We need to strengthen our economy so that everyone who wants to work has the opportunity to find a good paying job. We need to confront critical issues that are instrumental to improving the lives of America’s middle class families, like affordable education and childcare, equal pay for equal work, raising the minimum wage, providing earned sick leave and more. And we need to encourage policies that support innovation and small businesses that keep jobs on American soil. Right here in the Third District we are home to some of Massachusetts most exciting and forward-thinking companies, from footwear manufacturers to worldwide leaders in the technology sector. If we ‘Make it in America,’ we will put Americans back to work.

I will continue to make working with both Democrats and Republicans to make a real difference in the lives of servicemen and women, military families, and veterans seeking the care and benefits they’ve earned one of my highest priorities as a member of the Armed Services Committee.

This has always been a campaign of ideas, but it is also a campaign of people. I especially want to thank my dedicated campaign staff and the remarkable volunteers who helped make this victory possible.

I also want to acknowledge my talented and committed Congressional staff both in Washington and here in the district. I know that they will continue to do a superb job working on behalf of this district over the next two years.

I am grateful for all that we have achieved together over the last seven years. And, as I visit all of the communities that make up this remarkable district, I see the hard work, determination, innovation, and perseverance that drive the people that live here. That resilience and hopefulness inspire me every day. What a powerful voice we can have when, in that spirit, we come together and chart a path forward on common ground.

Thank you, again, for giving me this strong vote of confidence. Over the next two years, I am committed to meeting our challenges head on and building on our steady progress. I am confident that together we can continue to make a difference.

Photo: File