Decker Defeats MacKay in Rematch, Securing Eighth State House Term

Incumbent state Representative Marjorie C. Decker held on to her seat in the Democratic primary to represent much of Cambridge in the State House, beating back a fierce challenge from progressive labor organizer Evan C. MacKay ’19 after the Associated Press called the race Wednesday morning.

The AP called the race in Decker’s favor just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, with Decker holding 4,104 votes, to MacKay’s 3,599. Decker maintained a 505-vote lead over MacKay, and, despite some auxiliary ballots still uncounted in the city, MacKay conceded the race.

Wednesday’s victory will send Decker back to the State House for an eighth term, marking the end of the most contentious race of her tenure.

Decker wrote in a Wednesday afternoon statement that she was “deeply honored to have been reelected” and applauded MacKay’s competition in the race.

“Competitive elections make our democracy stronger, and I’m grateful to live in a community where people care deeply enough about our future to show up and participate,” Decker wrote in a statement to The Crimson. “I appreciate my opponent’s call to congratulate me, and I’m grateful they helped bring more people into the democratic process. I wish them the very best moving forward.”

MacKay conceded shortly after 11 a.m., writing in a message to supporters that they remained “proud” of the campaign they assembled and specifically thanking their 653-person volunteer team.

“They may have won the election, but what we built can’t be ignored,” MacKay wrote. “The relationships we formed, the organizing skills we strengthened, and the movement we grew together do not end with one election.”

Decker’s Wednesday triumph marks her second successful run against MacKay, who took repeated jabs at her voting record and campaign donors on the campaign trail and came within just 41 votes of unseating her two years ago.

After Decker was nearly toppled last election — having never previously less than 83 percent of the primary vote — the incumbent shifted her campaign strategy this year, working to ensure voters across Cambridge knew her name and legislative accomplishments in a substantially more organized and visible campaign.

This shift paid off for Decker. Preliminary results show she gained 630 votes compared with her total last cycle, while MacKay gained just 169.

The race was also defined by cash, with both candidates amassing six-figure war chests and outside groups pouring more than $100,000 into the district. Decker significantly outraised MacKay, and saw generous support from PACs, backed by labor unions. Progressive Cambridge, an independent expenditure FAC formed in July dedicated to supporting the incumbent, spent more than $140,000 backing Decker.

—Staff writer Shawn A. Boehmer can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at shawnb.18. Follow him on X @ShawnBoehmer.

—Staff writer Claire A. Michal can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at ClaireMichal.154.