Dru Tarr wins 5th Essex District Representative Seat

After Tuesday’s special election, Gloucester Democrat Dru Tarr is the new Massachusetts 5th Essex District Representative representing Gloucester, Manchester, Essex, and Rockport.  

Tarr received the most votes in the special election and will continue the legacy of the late Ann-Margaret Ferrante, the nine-term representative whom he served as research and district director for nearly a decade before she died in office last year. 

Tarr received a total of 3,505 votes, behind him was Manchester Republican Christina Delisio tallying 1,588, and independent Gilbert “Gil” Frieden with 377.  The district received a total of 5,500 votes for this special election. 

Tarr was favored in three out of the four districts: Gloucester, Rockport, and Manchester-by-the-Sea.  Frieden, running as an Independent, received hometown support in Essex, receiving more votes than any of the three candidates, securing 152 of the total 391 votes. 

Tarr ran his campaign with a focus on education funding, housing affordability, and economic development for the greater Cape Ann community.  He also is a supporter of the MBTA Communities Act.

Tarr’s previous experience and relationships he built in Beacon Hill under the under the late Ann-Margaret Ferrante will help him hit the ground running now that he won the role of Representative. 

“I'm very grateful for the support of the people of Cape Ann. I think it shows that they value the experience and continuity that I bring to the job,” Tarr said. 

“I can't wait to get to work to make sure that Cape Ann continues to have a seat at the table on Beacon.”

Christina Delisio ran on a promise to preserve local controls and keep the long arm of Beacon Hill out of small-town business.   She also strongly supported lowering the state income tax from 5 to 4 percent, and a third-party audit of the Massachusetts budget.  Gil Frieden, a progressive, ran on expanding government protections and support in housing, healthcare, and assistance to those who need it. 

Both Frieden and Delisio pledged to continue campaigning for the 5^th District seat in the next election later this year.

Until then, Tarr will now represent Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport on Beacon Hill, filling the seat left vacant following Ferrante’s death in November.  His victory marks the continuation of Democratic representation in the district, which Ferrante held for nearly two decades.

Emma Gulaskey is a student at Endicott College studying journalism. This story is published in partnership with the Massachusetts News Service.