By Bob Katzen

Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) eked out a 35-vote victory in a recount of the votes in the Senate Suffolk and Middlesex District which consists of Belmont, Watertown and parts of Boston and Cambridge. Brownsberger, a key member of Senate President Spilka’s leadership team, also presides over most Senate sessions. He edged out challenger Daniel Lander of Boston who was backed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

This race became a proxy war over some voters’ dissatisfaction with the Beacon Hill status quo and a test of Wu’s political strength after Brownsberger helped defeat her tax reclassification push in 2024. Wu’s proposal would have allowed the city of Boston to shift more of its property tax burden onto commercial real estate in fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

In a statement about the recount results, Lander congratulated Brownsberger and said his own campaign showed “this district is hungry for change.”

“While this race did not end as we’d hoped, I am so deeply proud of the campaign we built,” said Lander. “I know we have woken up the State Senate and sent a message loud and clear that the days of delay and inaction must end now.”

“I am just grateful to be able to continue to serve,” Brownsberger said. “I look forward to getting back to work.”