Ryan Fattman unseats Moore in Senate race

State Rep. Ryan C. Fattman, R-Webster, won a promotion on Beacon Hill, ending the nearly two-decade hold of the Worcester-Norfolk District seat held by state Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge.

Celebrating with supporters at the Double Tree Hotel in Milford, Mr. Fattman, 30, said, "We worked very hard and we ran a very respectful campaign. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Sen. Moore and appreciate all that he's done over the course of his career."

Mr. Fattman, who served two terms in the House of Representatives, added, "But I think that tonight people were looking for changing Massachusetts' direction, and I think that this victory embodies that change and sends a strong message to Beacon Hill that people will be held accountable based on votes that they take."

"People are ready to erupt," Mr. Fattman said.

Mr. Fattman said he had determined that he would win the race if he knocked on 17,000 doors.

By making an Election Day door-knocking effort in his original hometown of Sutton, he reached 17,025 doors, he said.

"We built a ground organization stronger than I think has ever been seen probably in a state Senate race," he said. "Today I didn't take anything for granted."

Mr. Moore gave his concession speech at the Uxbridge VFW, calling it a classic contest between Mr. Fattman's ambition and Mr. Moore's achievement.

He said district voters chose ambition and rhetoric over dedicated service and achievement, but that was their right.

Standing next to his wife Joanne, Mr. Moore said he was grateful for those who voted for him and worked tirelessly in his campaign.

But it was not enough, Mr. Moore said, to overcome the months of misinformation directed at his record of service, with thousands of dollars contributed in support of Mr. Fattman's campaign by what Mr. Moore called political laundromats.

Mr. Moore also complained about reported irregularities in Sutton, with Mr. Fattman campaign signs placed on public property along the road leading to the Precinct 1 polling place Tuesday morning.

Among his legacies, Mr. Moore said, were expansion of safe, high-quality and affordable health care and the number of bright and talented young people he said he had encouraged to consider careers in government and politics.

Mr. Moore wished the people of the district's 14 towns health, happiness and prosperity.

In Southbridge, Town Councilor Denise Clemence held a sign for Mr. Fattman and two other GOP candidate.

Ms. Clemence called Mr. Moore is a nice and respectful man, but said certain votes Mr. Moore had cast concerned her.

Specifically, Ms. Clemence said she would like to see a crackdown on fraud, whether it's disability or benefits fraud. She said she did not see Mr. Moore doing that.

"I'm concerned for the community and it's time to shake it up a bit and try something new," she said.

Republican John Pulawski of Southbridge said he had voted for Mr. Moore, but expressed concern that Mr. Moore would lose.

"This is the strongest Republican county in the state," Mr. Pulawski said.

He added that Mr. Moore, as president pro tempore of the Senate, which gave him the No. 3 rank in the Senate, had been able to bring "the most cream" to the district, and to lose that influence would be damaging.

Mr. Pulawski said he was disappointed with Mr. Moore for not helping with the Southbridge landfill, which was converted to a large municipal solid waste facility, because the senator said that was a local and not a state issue.

But otherwise, Mr. Moore has been willing to willing to listen, Mr. Pulawski said.

Outside of Webster Town Hall, Barry Henley, an unenrolled voter who held a sign for Mr. Moore, said, "I believe in the senator. He's done a lot of good work. Does stuff for the district. Trustworthy."

Given Mr. Henley's independent political status, he was asked if there was any appeal to Mr. Fattman.

He said, "I think he's a really smart kid who can go a long way."

Throughout the campaign, Mr. Fattman, 30, has criticized Mr. Moore for breaking his 2012 campaign pledge not to raise taxes just seven months later, when he voted to raise taxes $500 million, including by way of the gas tax.

Mr. Moore had countered that the gas tax, which hadn't been increased in decades, paid for important road projects that allowed people to get to work.