Peter J. Durant is an American state legislator and member of the Massachusetts State Senate from the Worcester and Hampshire Senate district.

Peter Durant
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
from the Worcester and Hampshire district
Assumed office
November 29, 2023
Preceded byAnne Gobi
Member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 6th Worcester district
In office
May 25, 2011 – November 29, 2023
Preceded byGeraldo Alicea
Succeeded byJohn Marsi
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKate Campanale Durant
ResidenceSpencer, Massachusetts
Alma materNortheastern University[1]
Florida Institute of Technology[1]
OccupationService Manager
Politician
Websitewww.durantforstatesenate.com

Prior to his election to the State Senate, Durant served as a state representative from the 6th Worcester district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He is also a former member of the Spencer Board of Selectmen.[2]

Elections

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2010 regular and 2011 special

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The 2010 election for the 6th Worcester seat resulted in an exact tie between Durant and Democratic incumbent Geraldo Alicea. A special election for the seat was scheduled for May 10, 2011. Alicea was allowed to hold the seat until the results of the new election.[3]

Durant won the special election by 56 votes (3,325 votes to Alicea's 3,269).[4]

2023 State Senate special

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In May 2023, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced that State Senator Anne Gobi of the Worcester and Hampshire District would become her new director of rural affairs. Due to Senator Gobi's resignation, a special election was announced for November 7, 2023.

Then-Representative Durant announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in June 2023. He won the Republican primary on October 10, 2023, beating Bruce Chester with nearly 61% of the vote.

In the general election, Durant faced his colleague, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik of Gardner. Durant won the general election by over 2,000 votes, earning nearly 55% of the vote.[5] He was sworn into office by Governor Maura Healey on November 29, 2023.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Durant says state needs 'bold steps'". Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA). April 19, 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  2. ^ Guilfoil, John M. (May 11, 2011). "At last, Worcester has winner in Durant". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  3. ^ Levenson, Michael (February 2, 2011). "Judge rules that two tied in House race". Boston Globe. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  4. ^ Lee, Brian (May 11, 2011). "Durant ousts Alicea". Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA). Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  5. ^ Micek, John L. (November 7, 2023). "Rep. Peter Durant declares victory in Worcester, Hampshire Senate district special election". MassLive. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Micek, John L. (November 29, 2023). "Worcester Republican Peter Durant takes oath, becomes newest member of Mass. Senate". MassLive. Retrieved October 11, 2024.