Cambridge state rep. appears to keeps her seat after challenger declares victory

Graduate student Evan MacKay reportedly declared victory Tuesday night, but new results on Wednesday signal state Rep. Majorie Decker will stay in the state legislature.

State Rep. Marjorie Decker will keep her seat in the state legislature representing Cambridge after a close Democratic primary Tuesday between her and a progressive Harvard University graduate student and organizer.

Despite reportedly declaring victory Tuesday night, challenger Evan MacKay did not garner enough votes to unseat Decker, according to results released Wednesday.

Decker has represented the 25th Middlesex District since 2012.

According to the new unofficial results, Decker won with 3,472 votes to MacKay’s 3,431.

Decker won’t have a Republican challenger in November, so Tuesday’s primary all but ensures she stays in the state legislature.

The Cambridge Election Commission shared unofficial results Tuesday signaling that MacKay won with 3,354 votes to Decker’s 3,314. The commission then met Wednesday afternoon to review provisional ballots and hand-count about 250 other ballots.

On election night, MacKay had reportedly declared victory at their party in Cambridge, saying “our movement has won this election,” The Boston Globe reported. Decker did not formally concede, and her campaign consultant told the Globe that MacKay’s celebration was rash.

“Declaring victory is irresponsible,” said consultant Jason Cincotti told the paper. “It’s reckless and it’s incorrect. We are waiting for all the votes to be counted.”

The Cambridge Day reported that the election results will be certified by Saturday, but that counts aren’t expected to change.

Neither of the candidates returned a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.