1990 Massachusetts elections

Governor & Lieutenant Governor

Main article: Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1990

Republicans William Weld and Paul Cellucci were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively, over Democratic candidates John Silber and Marjorie Clapprood. Weld's victory was the first for a Republican since 1970.

Attorney general

Democrat Scott Harshbarger was elected Attorney General. He defeated incumbent James Shannon in the Democratic primary and Republican William C. Sawyer in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Scott Harshbarger, Middlesex County District Attorney
• James Shannon, incumbent Attorney General and former U.S. Representative from Lowell

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Guy Carbone
• William C. Sawyer

Results

General election

Secretary of the Commonwealth

McCarthy:

|County results |

|Municipality results}} Incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth Michael J. Connolly defeated Republican Paul McCarthy and Independent Barbara F. Ahearn in the general election.

Former Celtics star Dave Cowens entered the race as a Republican, but because he did not register by June 5, 1989, he was unable to appear on the primary ballot and dropped out.

General election

Candidates

• Barbara F. Ahearn (Independent High Tech)
• Michael J. Connolly, incumbent Secretary since 1979 (Democratic)
• Paul McCarthy (Republican)

Results

Treasurer and Receiver-General

Malone:
Galvin: Incumbent Treasurer and Receiver-General Robert Q. Crane did not run for re-election. Republican Joe Malone defeated Democratic State Representative William F. Galvin and Independent C. David Nash in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William F. Galvin, State Representative from Allston–Brighton, Boston
• George Keverian, Speaker of the Massachusetts House and State Representative from Everett
• Dick Kraus, State Senator from Arlington

Results

General election

Auditor

Democrat A. Joseph DeNucci was re-elected Auditor. He defeated Republican Douglas J. Murray and Independent candidate Steven K. Sherman.

Massachusetts General Court

Massachusetts Senate

Massachusetts House of Representatives

United States Senator

Main article: Massachusetts United States Senate election, 1990

Democratic incumbent John Kerry was re-elected over Republican Jim Rappaport.

Ballot questions

Question 1

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution – The proposed constitutional amendment would repeal the constitutional provision that a state census be taken and used as the basis for determining state representative, senatorial, and councilor districts. The proposed constitutional amendment would provide that the federal census shall be the basis for determining such districts.

Question 2

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law sought to place restrictions on the State’s use of consultants. It sought various limits on the amount of profit, overhead charges and expenses that the State could pay consultants. The duration of consultant contracts was for two years and any extension to one year, and such contracts could be changed only if payments exceeded the original contract. The proposed initiative sought to limit to $100,000 the amount the State could pay on a consultant contract with an individual and would require all other consultant contracts in excess of $25,000 to be awarded through competitive bidding. It sought to prohibit consultants from supervising State employees, and it would limit the use of consultants as substitutes for State employee positions.

Question 3

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – The proposed initiative would have changed the state income tax rate, affected language contained in certain tax provisions, and regulated the setting of fees by state agencies and authorities.

Question 4

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – This proposed initiative sought to change the state election laws governing the establishment of political parties and the nomination of candidates.

Question 5

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – This proposed initiative sought to regulate the distribution to cities and towns of the Local Aid Fund, which consists of at least 40% of the revenue generated by the state income, sales, and corporate taxes, as well as the balance of the State Lottery Fund.

References

References

1. Butterfield, Fox. (1990-09-20). "THE 1990 CAMPAIGN; STUNNING PRIMARY IN MASSACHUSETTS". The New York Times.
2. Butterfield, Fox. (1990-11-08). "THE 1990 ELECTIONS: Massachusetts; Weld Reaffirms Pledge To Shrink Government". The New York Times.
3. "Our Campaigns - MA Attorney General - D Primary Race - Sep 19, 1990".
4. "Massachusetts Election Statistics 1990".
5. "Our Campaigns - MA Attorney General Race - Nov 08, 1994".
6. (January 14, 1990). "Sports Extra: People". Daily News of Los Angeles.
7. Lehigh, Scot. (February 23, 1990). "Ex-Celtic Cowens Bows Out of GOP Race for Secretary of State". Boston Globe.
8. "Our Campaigns - MA Secretary of State Race - Nov 06, 1990".
9. "Our Campaigns - MA Treasurer - D Primary Race - Sep 18, 1990".
10. "Our Campaigns - MA Treasurer Race - Nov 06, 1990".
11. "Our Campaigns - MA Auditor Race - Nov 06, 1990".
12. "Massachusetts Election Statistics 1990".
13. "Massachusetts Election Statistics 1990".
14. "Massachusetts Election Statistics 1990".
15. "Massachusetts Election Statistics 1990".
16. "Massachusetts Election Statistics 1990".