Former Secretary of Labor and Professor Robert Reich (HS) lost his bid for governor to State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien in Tuesday's primary election. With 91 percent of precincts reporting just after midnight, Reich garnered 25 percent of the vote, the Associate Press reported. "Tonight I proudly accept the Democratic party's nomination for governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," O'Brien said Tuesday. "I believe that the choice for Massachusetts is crystal clear." Reich and others congratulated her.

O'Brien received 33 percent of the vote, and now she will face Republican nominee Mitt Romney this November. State Senator Tom Birmingham was a close third at the time of reporting, only several thousand behind Reich with 24 percent.

State Senator Warren Tolman, received 18 percent and Brandeis trustee Steve Grossman, who withdrew from the race in July but whose name was already on the printed ballot, garnered 1 percent. Grossman endorsed O'Brien on Sept. 12.

Both registered Democrats and Independents participated in the Democratic primary. Massachusetts law permits Independents to choose in which primary they wish to participate.

Maura D. Sarasin '03 is a Malden, Mass. resident and said she voted for Reich by absentee ballot. "I'm disappointed that Shannon O'Brien won, but I don't think it matters since Mitt Romney would likely beat any Democratic candidate," Sarasin said. She added that she is surprised Democrats chose O'Brien given Acting Governor Jane Swift's unpopularity. Among other criticisms of the acting governor, Swift came under fire last fall after she delivered twins, with many questioning her ability to serve effectively. "Many people I've spoken to have said (Swift has) basically driven (Massachusetts) into the ground and they're reluctant to vote for a woman given the pregnancy concern . as ridiculous as that is."

Chris Gabrieli received the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor with 46 percent at the time of reporting over Lois Pines and John Slatterly, AP reported. With 64 percent, Kerry Murphy Healy triumphed over Jim Rappaport. The Nov. 5 election will determine the governor and lieutenant governor, as well as federal and state legislative positions.