Burlington Results Largely Mirror Broader Trends in 2026 Massachusetts Primary
Incumbents sweep seats, Koh moves to general election
The preliminary results of the 2026 Massachusetts Primary are in and, for the most part, Burlington's votes are an echo of state-wide trends.
Burlington voters cast 4,538 ballots in total, with 3,452 Democratic ballots and 1,086 Republican ballots cast. This represents a 23% turnout, up from 2024's 16.4% but in line with 2022's 23.8%.
With 6 candidates on the ballot for a single open seat, the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic primary race was the most competitive. Former Biden administration staffer Dan Koh took this race with more than 40% of the votes both in Burlington and in the district at large, according to preliminary results. He'll face Republican Micah Jones in November.
Incumbent Ed Markey moves ahead in the race for U.S. Senate, besting Seth Moulton with nearly 2/3 of the vote share statewide. Markey won Burlington, too, but with a narrower margin. He'll be up against John Deaton in November.
Mara Dolan is another incumbent moving through to the general election, taking around 3/4 of the votes over challenger Margie Palladino in the District 3 Governor's council primary. With no Republican challenger, Dolan will continue on for a second term after defeating long-time incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney in 2024.
David Solet, Democratic challenger to incumbent Marian Ryan, conceded the race for Middlesex DA; if Burlington results are representative of the district, he would have lost by a 3:1 margin.
Republican Mike Minogue will continue on to challenge Governor Maura Healey in the general election this November after winning over Brian Shortsleeve in the primary.
The general election will take place on November 3, 2026, at Burlington High School with mail-in and early in-person options available.
