19-Year-Old Democrat Unseats Eight-Term Massachusetts Republican

Darris-O’Connor, a Billerica Democrat, won the seat held by Lombardo for 16 years. With more than 99% of ballots counted, Darris-O’Connor led by 438 votes out of more than 17,000 cast. He will take office in January and reach age 20 one day before taking the oath of office.

Billerica Voters Replace Conservative Incumbent With Young Democrat

Billerica voters chose a new direction on November 3, sending 19-year-old Democrat Daniel Darris-O’Connor to the State House and ending Marc Lombardo’s 16-year run in the district. With more than 99% of ballots counted, Darris-O’Connor led by 438 votes out of more than 17,000 cast.

Darris-O’Connor made the cost of living and bringing state resources to Billerica central to his campaign. He argued residents deserve better representation, while Lombardo had sometimes declined to seek local budget earmarks, saying he wanted to avoid adding to state spending.

The win comes as Democrats strengthen their already substantial House majority. Republicans lost a net three seats, with incumbent David Vieira also defeated by Democrat Jack Richardson.

Darris-O’Connor first won elected office in 2025, securing a place on Billerica’s select board at 18. He said his interest in politics began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was in middle school and saw problems in government.

Lombardo said he was proud of his work for residents during his time in office. Darris-O’Connor will be sworn in in January, the day after his 20th birthday. He will be among the youngest Massachusetts lawmakers, though Thomas Lussier was 19 when he took office in 1977.

Republican Incumbent Falls in Massachusetts Democratic Wave

The Massachusetts election delivered another setback for Republicans: eight-term Representative Marc Lombardo lost the 22nd Middlesex District to 19-year-old Democrat Daniel Darris-O’Connor on November 3. With more than 99% of ballots counted, Lombardo trailed by 438 votes among more than 17,000 ballots.

Darris-O’Connor emphasized affordability and bringing state dollars to Billerica. He also benefited from a broader Democratic wave that expanded the party’s already dominant position in the House. Republicans lost a net three seats, including districts whose Republican lawmakers had retired, and incumbent David Vieira was defeated by Democrat Jack Richardson.

Lombardo, one of the chamber’s most conservative members, had represented the district since 2010. He said he was proud of how he served and of helping residents, despite the personal demands of the job. His loss ends a long tenure in a district Darris-O’Connor described as politically competitive for Massachusetts.

Darris-O’Connor has already held elected office, joining Billerica’s select board in 2025 while still in high school. He said his political interest began during the pandemic, when he was in middle school.

He turns 20 the day before taking his seat in January. This places him among the youngest lawmakers-elect in state history, but he will not surpass Thomas Lussier, who entered the House at 19 in 1977.