Duff Takes Open Governor's Council Seat

Eileen Duff of Gloucester is the apparent winner of the Governor’s Council seat in the Fifth District.

Duff, a Democrat, had 57 percent of the vote to 43 percent for Maura Ciardiello of Haverhill - with 97 percent of precincts reporting on Wednesday morning, according to reports by the Boston Globe.

Both candidates are seeking the position for the first time after incumbent Mary-Ellen Manning (U-Peabody) decided against reelection to run for the state Senate. She was defeated in a four person Democratic Primary in September. She has since changed her party affiliation from Democratic to unenrolled.

The District covers most of the North Shore and Merrimack Valley and neighboring areas north and northwest of Boston. Duff will become one of eight members of the Council, which meets on Wednesdays to confirm the governor’s judicial nominees, among other jobs.