The 2020 primary was a good night to be a senior member of the Massachusetts House, with each member of Speaker Robert DeLeo's leadership team retaining their seat against competition from other Democrats.
The only thing close to an exception in DeLeo's sweep was former division leader Lowell Rep. Richard Nangle, and for good reason: The 11-term conservative Democrat was indicted in February on federal corruption charges. Nangle was ousted by Lowell resident and former aide to U.S. Rep. Nkki Tsongas Vanna Howard, who will not face a Republican opponent in November. Nangle has pleaded not guilty to the charges and stepped down from leadership duties earlier this year.
The State House's only major upset came in Springfield, where nine-year incumbent Sen. James Welch was unseated by Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez.
Incumbent Housing Committee Chairman Kevin Honan pulled out a 54 percent to 46 percent victory over Democratic Socialist challenger Jordan Meehan in Brighton.
Floor Leader Paul Donato of Medford, a right-of-center Democrat on DeLeo's team, fended off Nichole Mossalam, a progressive challenger who would have become the Legislature's first Muslim member.
Eleven other House chairs and two vice chairs held on to their seats against intra-party challenges, a shift away from the trend seen in 2018 when two of DeLeo's highest-ranking lieutenants, Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sanchez and Whip Byron Rushing, were ousted by voters looking to replace veteran lawmakers with fresh faces.
Only two chairs — Revenue Chair Mark Cusack of Braintree and Financial Services Chair James Murphy of Weymouth — will face challenges from Republicans in November, meaning DeLeo's team will essentially walk back into office in January intact.
Another veteran politician will join the House next year, as Readville's Rob Consalvo will take over for the retiring Dean of the House Angelo Scaccia in the seat that represents much of West Roxbury, Hyde Park and Roslindale. Consalvo defeated two opponents, Gretchen Van Ness and Duckens Petit-Matre, by capturing 53 percent of the vote in a decisive win.
In Mattapan and Dorchester, Brandy Fluker Oakley of Mattapan will take over for the departing Rep. Daniel Cullinaine. Oakley defeated two other candidates of color, Stephanie Everett and Jovan Lacet, with 39 percent of the vote in the three-way race.
Another Democratic Socialist, Somerville's Erika Uyterhoevenm is set to take over for retiring Rep. Denise Provost, beating Catia Sharp 62 percent to 38 percent.
Two Cape Cod Republicans, Steven Xiarhos of Barnstable and Thomas Keyes of Sandwich competed to succeed the retiring Rep. Randy Hunt, with Xiarhos taking the 68 to 32 percent victory. Xiarhos will face off against Democrat James Dever in November.