t least three incumbent state representatives were defeated yesterday and two Democratic congressmen easily beat their challengers as voters across the state only trickled to the polls in a low-key Massachusetts primary election.
Former Marshfield selectman James Cantwell of Weymouth, meanwhile, defeated Ted LeClair of Marshfield in the Democratic primary in the Plymouth and Norfolk state senatorial district. Incumbent Robert L. Hedlund of Weymouth was unopposed in the GOP primary.
In the first Worcester senatorial district, state Representative Harriette L. Chandler of Worcester defeated Worcester lawyer Joseph D. Early Jr., son of former congressman Joseph D. Early to claim the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed retiring incumbent Robert A. Bernstein, a Worcester Democrat.
With no statewide contest and only a handful of hotly contested legislative and county races, voter turnout may have hit a record low of 10 percent, according to Secretary of State William F. Galvin. Candidates in 305 races ran unopposed, and there were just 31 contested legislative primaries in 200 districts.
The final elections are Tuesday, Nov. 7.
In Boston, state Senator Dianne Wilkerson defeated Democratic primary challenger Hassan A. Williams.
Christopher P. Asselin of Springfield, who had worked as an aide to former state Representative Dennis Murphy, defeated incumbent state Representative Jack ''Righty'' Keough of Springfield in the Democratic primary. Keough had won a special election last year to replace Murphy.
Holyoke City Councilor Michael F. Kane defeated incumbent Evelyn G. Chesky of Holyoke and Jose R. Candelario of Holyoke in the Democratic primary.
State Representative Ronny M. Sydney of Brookline, meanwhile, lost to Brookline School Committee member Frank I. Smizik in another Democratic primary House fight.
In the 9th Middlesex House District, City Councilor Thomas A. Stanley defeated community activist Mila Ruth Tarallo for the Democratic nomination in the race to fill the House seat vacated by David F. Gately, now mayor of Waltham. Stanley and Tarallo are both from Waltham.
In three congressional primaries, incumbent Democrat Richard E. Neal of Springfield defeated challenger Joseph R. Fountain of Springfield in the 2d District, while incumbent Democrat Martin T. Meehan of Lowell defeated Thomas P. Tierney of Framingham and Joseph F. Osbaldeston of Ayer in the 5th District.
In the 6th Congressional District Republican primary, Paul McCarthy defeated fellow Lynnfield resident Frederick T. Golder. Incumbent John F. Tierney of Salem was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Meanwhile, in the 6th Middlesex District, Town Meeting member Debby Blumer defeated Selectman Christopher J. Petrini in the Democratic primary in the race for the seat of retiring Representative John H. Stasik, a Framingham Democrat. Both Blumer and Petrini are from Framingham.
In the 8th Middlesex District, former Hopkinton assessor Edward J. Mills defeated two others to claim the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed former House majority whip Barbara Gardner, a Holliston Democrat. Mills defeated Robert S. Cassidy of Holliston and Kelly Roney of Southborough.
In an Essex County House race drawing wide interest, Town Meeting member Mark V. Falzone defeated Selectman Christie Ciampa Jr. to claim the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed retiring 9th Essex incumbent Steven Angelo, who is now Saugus town manager. Both Ciampa and Falzone are from Saugus.
Medford City Council President Paul J. Donato defeated John F. Carey, also of Medford, to claim the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed retiring Democratic state Representative Anthony P. Giglio of Medford.
Incumbents turning back challenges included Democratic state Senator Joan Menard of Somerset, and Democratic state representatives George Rogers of New Bedford, Michael P. Cahill of Beverly, and Benjamin Swan of Springfield.
Housing activist Robert Spellane of Worcester won a four-way Democratic primary in the race to succeed Chandler, defeating Harriett S. Lebow, School Committee member Brian A. O'Connell and lawyer Joseph W. Spillane, all of Worcester.
