Lopez wins Canton seat; other Latino legislators face no challengers

State Representative Lisa Lopez of Canton secured the seat vacated by William C. Galvin after he served for 36 years. Lopez ran unopposed in the general election for the 6th Norfolk district, which includes Canton, Avon, and parts of Stoughton.

Lopez won the Democratic primary on September 1 with 63.1 percent of the vote. Her campaign website notes that her father is the son of a Puerto Rican mother and a Mexican father. The 6th Norfolk district is one of two new seats filled in this cycle where the winner had no opponent in the November ballot.

In the 16th Essex district covering Lawrence and Methuen, Celina Reyes will take office after also finishing the general election with no rival. Reyes defeated Francisco Paulino in the Democratic primary, capturing 61.4 percent of the vote compared to his 36.9 percent. The Department of Justice charged Paulino with electronic fraud and money laundering after he received more than $700,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits and loans.

Several other Latino legislators completed their terms without opposition in the general election. These include Senator Pavel Payano of the 1st Essex district, who is the first Dominican-born member of the state Senate. Representatives Frank Moran and Estela Reyes in Essex, Andy Vargas in Haverhill, and Manny Cruz in Salem all held their seats. In Suffolk County, Judith Garcia of Chelsea and Sam Montaño of Jamaica Plain also faced no challengers.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth has not released unofficial results for these races. Official figures will appear on the agency’s website following certification, a process expected to finish by late November or early December.