Walsh Falls to Rush in State Senate Primary

With a giant hug for his mom and a kiss on the cheek for his dad, Rep. Michael Rush celebrated a primary victory for state Senate Tuesday night against opponent Michael Walsh.

Rush greeted supporters at the Corrib Pub at around 9:30 p.m. after he received word he won the primary over Walsh.

With about 90 percent of precincts reporting at 11 p.m., Walsh had earned 58 percent of the vote.

But while the celebration lasted a few hours, Rush recognized his campaign work wasn't over yet.

"For me, I never take anything for granted," he said in an interview. "I'll work very hard until the final in November."

Rush will face Republican Brad Williams, who won an unopposed race Tuesday.

As for his next opponent and their differences, Rush would only say that he would run on his own record.

"I only speak about myself, my background, and my issues," he said.

At Rush's West Roxbury campaign party, supporters started to gather at 8 p.m. for the catered event as they waited for the host to arrive.

Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham) was at the pub for Rush's event relieved he had an easier day running unopposed then his comrade did. McMurtry doesn't face an opponent in the November general election either.

But that didn't mean he was busy. McMurtry often answered his iPhone to hear the latest poll results in the suburbs for the Rush-Walsh campaign.

Walsh won Dedham 48 percent to 43 percent.

Early results reported have Rush dominating Walsh in the city of Boston, and having a harder time winning precincts in the suburbs.

"I had to introduce myself outside the city," Rush said. "It's not the best year for incumbents."