President Barack Obama won reelection, challenger Elizabeth Warren topped incumbent U.S. Senator Scott Brown, and the state approved medical marijuana in the Nov. 6 election.
There were other contested local races. Democrat U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano (7th District) won reelection over Independent Karla Romero.
On the state level, Democratic Reps. Jeffrey Sánchez (15th Suffolk District) Democratic Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz (2nd Suffolk District) all won reelection and did not face an opponent.
For the Governor’s Council, which confirms judicial appointments, among other duties, Democrat Christopher Iannella won the District 4 seat running unopposed.
Mission Hill residents also had the opportunity to help decide several ballot questions.
Question 1 concerned automobile manufacturers being required to provide diagnostics to consumers and repair shops. Legislation recently was passed and then signed by Gov. Deval Patrick that requires automobile manufacturers to do just that. But the question remained on the ballot and it was approved.
Question 2 would have allowed terminally ill patients who have been given six months or less to live the ability to obtain lethal drugs to commit suicide. The measure failed in a close vote.
Question 3, which concerned the legalization of medical marijuana, was approved.
Two other, non-binding questions that appeared on local ballots were approved by large margins. One asks elected officials to call for cuts in military spending to sustain social programs. The other asks elected officials to call for restrictions on the free speech rights of corporations and nonprofits enabled by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling.
U.S. Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren delivers her victory speech at a downtown rally on Nov. 6. (Photo by Frederick G.S. Clow)