Massachusetts Primary 2024: Allison Cartwright declares victory in race for SJC secretary

First-time candidate and public advocate Allison Cartwright has declared victory against Boston City Councilwoman Erin Murphy in the race for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court Clerk.

“This is not a victory for me, this is a victory for us,” Cartwright told her supporters Tuesday in a video shared by Politico on X. “This is a victory for democracy, a victory for the independence of our courts, and especially of our state’s highest court.”

While no official results were available as of 10 a.m., unofficial election results from Boston show Cartwright has received 59.56 percent, or 30,358, of the vote. Murphy has received 20,500 votes so far, or 40.22 percent.

Throughout her campaign, Cartwright received endorsements from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu; U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District; Boston City Councilmembers Ruthzee Louijeune and Ben Weber; and current SJC for Suffolk County Clerk Maura Doyle, the Boston Globe reported.

“On behalf of everyone, I just want to express our gratitude to you for being willing to step forward at this time to share your leadership, your heart, your wisdom, and your family time with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” Wu told Cartwright in front of supporters. “We are so grateful for everything you represent.”

Roslindale attorney Christina Fitzgerald told MassLive she voted for Cartwright, as this was the race that brought Fitzgerald to the polls.

“I was very excited to vote for her,” he said. “It’s an important year to vote, a lot of political issues are decided in the courts.”

That’s why, Fitzgerald added, “good people make sure the courts operate efficiently.”

Dorchester resident and lifelong Democrat Vincent Baker drummed up support for Murphy. He told MassLive that she taught her children at Richard J. Murphy School, where voters gathered Tuesday morning.

“He’s a very organized and level-headed person,” Baker said. “I agree with his political stance, he did a great job with the council and he’s the hardest working person.”