The Lowell Sun reported that unofficial Billerica returns put 19-year-old Democrat Daniel Darris-O’Connor 438 votes ahead in the 22nd Middlesex District.
The tally reported by the Lowell Sun showed Darris-O’Connor with 8,968 votes and Republican incumbent Marc T. Lombardo with 8,530. The contest is for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, part of the Massachusetts General Court, not the U.S. Congress. Billerica lists Darris-O’Connor as secretary of its Select Board.
The town’s tally is marked unofficial. The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office says local clerks must review and certify election returns before the state publishes official results. The deadline for certification of the Nov. 3 state election is Nov. 18.
The Boston Globe reported that Darris-O’Connor’s 20th birthday is expected to fall one day before his January swearing-in. The paper also pointed to Thomas Lussier, who joined the House in 1977 at age 19. The Globe and WCVB have described Darris-O’Connor as among the youngest members-elect in the state.
His campaign platform calls for lower living and energy costs, tax relief for Billerica families, and more grants and earmarked state funds for the town. Darris-O’Connor told WCVB, “My campaign wasn't focused on my age; it was focused on the issues.” WCVB reported that he also emphasized affordability and stronger local representation during the campaign.
