Paz thanks supporters, Leary calls Lawn: primary night in Waltham

Democratic incumbents, including Rep. Katherine Clark and State Rep. John Lawn, maintained their nominations against their challengers on Tuesday.

The state’s 5th Congressional District Democratic primary, which includes towns such as Waltham, Framingham, Malden and Melrose, was called by the Associated Press in favor of incumbent Rep. Katherine Clark at 9:27 p.m. 

In Waltham, Jonathan Paz’s campaign supporters joined him as they watched election results stream in for an election day watch party at the Mighty Squirrel in Watertown. After the race was called, Paz gave a speech to his supporters, thanking them for their support and promising to continue advocating for the working class, condemning the actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

Paz did not respond to a request for comment. 

Malden resident and watch party attendee Lara Jiermanus said Paz’s campaign was part of a broader movement to signal to the Democratic Party that it is disconnected from Democratic voters. 

“Unfortunately, the message was not heard as widely across the district as we had hoped,” Jiermanus said. “It’s very simple. People need to be able to live, to have time to spend with their families and not to be scrambling to make ends meet, but you have big money politicians like Katherine Clark, rolling in cash herself, and are completely out of touch with the electorate.”

Incumbent state Rep. John Lawn won against challenger Newton City Councilor Alison Leary, renewing his post since 2011 as representative for the 10th Middlesex District, which represents parts of Newton, Waltham and Watertown. 

“Challenging an incumbent is always a high-stakes endeavor, but our time, effort and dedication were not in vain,” Leary wrote in an email to The Waltham Times on Sept.2. 

Leary wrote that her campaign pushed for “a more inclusive and accessible State House,” promoted access to healthcare and affordable housing, sought climate goals and advocated for civil liberties. 

On Wednesday morning, Leary called Lawn to congratulate him. 

“We agreed to work together and partner on the critical issues facing our community moving forward,” Leary wrote. 

State Rep. Tom Stanley, running unopposed, won his spot on the November ballot for the 9th Middlesex District. 

“It’s an incredible honor to represent my community and to be entrusted with making decisions that affect the lives of everyone,” Stanley said.