Arciero Defeats Galvin

Jim Arciero has been reelected as Westford’s state representative for two more years.

This marks his fourth re-election, following contested wins against former Littleton School Committee member Paul Avella in 2008, former Westford Selectman Val Wormell in 2012 and a win without any challengers in 2010.

The Westford Democrat’s 9,196 votes against Republican challenger and Westford Planning Board member Dennis Galvin as well as Littleton’s Arleen Martino marked the lowest vote tally he has received in his four elections to Beacon Hill.

Arciero’s election win was bittersweet as it came just days after he lost his father to cancer.

“Ultimately I think this entire process puts things into perspective how important family is,” “I care very much about this job and representing the people of Chelmsford, Littleton and Westford, but family is first and clearly it’s a difficult time. I’m excited and happy the voters of the Second Middlesex District gave me an opportunity to serve them again, but it hurts that my father’s not here tonight.”

Arciero said that he hopes during the next two years to seek out new ideas that will improve the district whether they come from Democrats, Independents or Republicans.

When it comes to those Republicans, Galvin told Arciero in a personal concession that he is happy to work with Arciero to make sure concerns of those voters are heard.

“I think we know exactly what the concerns of Republicans and conservative Independents in this district are, and we’d certainly be willing to share that knowledge and information with him so he can broaden his view on things,” said Galvin. “Our goal is not to be obstructionist, but to solve the problems for the people of Massachusetts and make this a better place to live.

Galvin was defeated by former State Representative Geoff Hall in 2004, but this time he lost by a slightly lower margin.

While that was some consolation, he says it’s still too soon to know if he’ll run again.

“I am not making any statements at my future at this time,” said Galvin. “Yes, there was progress so there some solace in that, but the fact is we didn’t win and I’m not going to sugarcoat that in any way, it’s a very bitter disappointment.”

For more on Election Day, click here.