1-vote victory finalized
State Rep. Kassner sworn in
One vote can go a long way.
“It’s been quite a journey,” the newest state representative, Kristin Kassner, said hours after finally being sworn into office.
Kassner was sworn into her new role by Gov. Maura Healey at the State House Friday morning, nearly two months after she was declared the winner over former state Rep. Lenny Mirra in the Second Essex District race.
“I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to be sworn in today by Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. (Kim) Driscoll with my family and friends,” the Hamilton Democrat said. “It was truly a special day and I am excited to get to work for the people of the Second Essex.”
Kassner lost the Nov. 8 election to Mirra, a Republican from Georgetown, by a 10-vote margin, but a mandatory recount flipped the results days later, making her the victor by just one vote.
Mirra challenged the results in Essex Superior Court, saying in his late December complaint that roughly nine ballots were improperly counted, but a judge left the outcome up to the House of Representatives.
A special House committee was formed to consider the matter, and Mirra continued to serve as representative while the decision was pending.
A hearing was held on Jan. 13, where Mirra alleged human error had impacted the election results. He maintained this argument after representatives voted to accept the report of the special committee on Wednesday, and declare Kassner the winner.
Mirra told the Herald a day later that the Legislature refused to investigate the ballots he contested, describing the decision as a “totally corrupt” and “blatantly partisan move.”
In response, Kassner told the Herald Friday that her thoughts on the matter were captured by special Committee Chair Michael Day’s statement on the floor: “Our decision protects the integrity of the election system in Massachusetts.”