According to unofficial results, Chester M. Tam defeated Henry George Bousquet on the Republican side for 9th Bristol District state representative, 1,433 to 1,144.
Tam will run against Democrat Edward M. Pacheco on Nov. 3, who won on the Democrat side against Stephen J. Medeiros by 14 votes, according to an unofficial tally.
Primaries were held on both sides of the aisle Sept. 1 for 9th Bristol District state representative. Incumbent Democrat Chris Markey is running for Bristol County District Attorney.
The 9th Bristol District consists of the town of Dartmouth, and Ward 1 Precincts D, E, and F, of the city of New Bedford.
Tam, 51, technology sector professional, said during the primary campaign that he was running to address transparency and affordability issues.
Tam said he also feels there's a disconnect on Beacon Hill. Representatives are not asking themselves whether their decisions are helping or hurting their constituents, he said.
On transparency, Tam said 72% of the voters supported an audit of the state Legislature by state Auditor Diana DiZoglio in a 2024 ballot measure. "And they have yet to even allow that to happen."
He said that Question 1 on the November ballot, which would make records held by the Legislature and governor subject to the state's public records law, shows how shielded these public officials are.
"I really want to do something about that."
On affordability, Tam said older and younger generations in Massachusetts are having a difficult time staying here.
Seniors on fixed incomes can't keep up with high energy costs, and the younger generation is struggling to buy homes and make enough money to start a family here, Tam said.
Tam said his grandparents came to this country in the 1960s in the pursuit of the American dream. "I'm a product of that, but I feel like a lot of that is being squandered."
He said he was hearing about rising costs while knocking on district doors during the primary campaign in terms of housing, insurance, groceries, and "the big one" energy.
Tam said he wants to advocate bringing more state aid to local communities. He said that aid has been stagnant for the last 15 to 20 years. The lag in aid forces communities like Dartmouth to consider overrides.
Bousquet, 50, lead culinary arts instructor at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, said during the primary campaign that his candidacy was motivated by frustration with the direction state spending was taking — "like many homeowners."
Bousquet is a former Ward 3 New Bedford city councilor. He said in his five years on the City council, he was always responsive to constituent needs and stood by his word, he said. His platform included reducing costs for his constituency, starting with utilities, he said.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Chester Tam wins Republican primary for 9th Bristol state rep