Keating defeats Sutter in Dist. 9 race

HANOVER, Mass. (AP) — U.S. Rep. William Keating brushed back a challenge from Bristol District Attorney Sam Sutter on Thursday to win the Democratic primary in Massachusetts' newly redrawn 9th Congressional District.

Keating, who turned 60 on Thursday, will face off in the November general election against the winner of Thursday's Republican primary between Christopher Sheldon and Adam Chaprales in the November general election.

The district includes Cape Cod and much of southeastern Massachusetts. When state lawmakers drew the lines of the state's new congressional map, they crafted a 9th District with no incumbent living in it.

But Keating, who lived in Quincy and represents the state's current 10th District, decided to move his primary residence to Cape Cod, where he owns a home. Quincy is now part of a reshaped 8th District that is home to Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch, of South Boston.

Keating said he's happy with his win, but isn't taking anything for granted.

"We're shifting right into gear. We're back to work on Monday. It's all centered on moving the economy forward," he said.

Keating said running in a redrawn district was made easier by what he said was his close ties to incumbent Democratic U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern and Barney Frank, who is not seeking re-election, and U.S. Sen. John Kerry.

Keating said he's focused on jobs, from 79 new firefighter jobs in Fall River to the promise of biotech and underwater robotics.

"This is a part of Massachusetts that has always had its history and economy tied to the sea," he said.

Keating, the state's newest member of the U.S. House, was able to open up a large fundraising lead over Sutter.

Sutter, who is in his second four-year term as district attorney, had said he decided to run because he felt a dramatic change was needed in the current atmosphere in Congress.

Sheldon, the Plymouth County charter commissioner, described himself as a financial markets analyst and trader on his campaign website.

He has also volunteered for the campaigns for President George W. Bush and former Republican candidate for governor Charles Baker.

Chaprales was elected to the Sandwich Board of Selectmen at age 21, making him the youngest member of the board in town history. He served one term and currently works for the New York Life Insurance Co. on Cape Cod.

The redrawn map reflects population shifts measured by the 2010 federal census that forced the number of Massachusetts' U.S. House seats to shrink from 10 to nine beginning with this year's election.

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