Politics & Government

Watertown's McCarthy Will Not Challenge Brownsberger in State Senate Race

Incumbent will run unopposed in the Sept. 6 Democrat primary.

It appears Belmont's Will Brownsberger will likely cruise to re-election to the State Senate this November after his chief Democrat rival decided to call it quits.

Watertown's Robert McCarthy, who finished a strong third to Brownsberger in a special election primary in January, announced on Monday, April 30, that he will not be a candidate for State Senate in the newly-redistricted Second Suffolk and Middlesex district that incompasses Belmont, Watertown and sections of Arlington and Cambridge.

Without another Democrat challenger on the horizon, Brownsberger is likely to be unopposed in the September 6 primary. He would then be favorite to win the general election in the heavily-Democrat district.

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“While undergoing intensive rehabilitation therapy from two total knee replacements within the last 11 months, I have decided not to submit the necessary signatures May 1 as a candidate for the office of State Senator in the Second Middlesex and Suffolk district,” McCarthy said.

“This was not an easy decision, but after talking with family and friends I believe this is the best decision for me at this time. I am eternally grateful to the constituents who have supported me during this process.”

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“My heart and home will always be with the children, seniors, veterans the hardworking people of this district. I met so many new and old friends during my last campaign and I’ll continue to be a voice for all of us as a Commissioner of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission and on the various boards and nonprofits I am involved with,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy was a candidate for held last December to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Senator Steven Tolman, now President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

While in a special primary election on Dec. 13 to fill the seat of former Sen. Steve Tolman, McCarthy, who finished third, was seen as splitting the large Watertown vote with popular State Rep. Jonathan Hecht, who finished second to Brownsberger with 3,849. 

A retired Watertown Fire Department captain who served as President of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts for 24 years, McCarthy resides in Watertown with his wife of 44 years, Dotty. They have three children and five grandchildren.


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