Massachusetts's 9th congressional district special election of 2001 was held in the U.S. state on October 16, 2001, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Joe Moakley. Democratic state senator Stephen F. Lynch won the election over Republican state senator Jo Ann Sprague.
Primary elections were held on September 11, 2001. The election was overshadowed by the September 11 attacks, which occurred shortly after polls opened.
Background Incumbent U.S. representative Joe Moakley, who was first elected in 1972, died on May 28, 2001. Primary elections to nominate candidates were scheduled for September 11, and a special election to fill the vacancy was scheduled for October 16.
Democratic primary
Candidates
William A. Ferguson Jr., activist Cheryl Jacques, state senator from Needham Stephen Lynch, state senator from South Boston Brian A. Joyce, state senator from Milton Marc Pacheco, state senator from Taunton William F. Sinnott, former federal prosecutor John E. Taylor, housing advocate
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
William D. McKinney, member of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee Jo Ann Sprague, state senator from Walpole
Results
General election
Candidates
Susan C. Gallagher-Long, nominee for U.S. Senate in 1996 (Conservative) Stephen Lynch, state senator from South Boston (Democratic) Brock Satter (Socialist Workers) Jo Ann Sprague, state senator from Walpole (Republican)
Results
References