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LOWELL (AP/WBZ-AM) -- Democrat Lori Trahan has won an open U.S. House seat, preserving her party's hold on the hotly-contested 3rd Congressional District.
Trahan, a Lowell native, defeated Republican Rick Green on Tuesday to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas.
Tsongas introduced Trahan at her election night party in Lowell. Calling the midterms a great night for women, Trahan held her antsy and unimpressed four-year-old daughter as she thanked supporters.
"It is the great priviledge of my life to have received your vote," she said. "And in exchange for that vote, for that trust, I will fight for you, your families, and your futures every single day."
Tsongas' retirement had set off a mad scramble among both parties in the district that includes the Merrimack Valley cities of Lawrence, Lowell and Haverhill. Trahan and nine other candidates had battled it out in September's primaries.
Trahan returns to Capitol Hill, where she once served as chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, who is now president of the University of Massachusetts.
Trahan campaigned heavily on women's issues, including equal pay and protecting abortion rights.
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WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports