Allison Cartwright, a first-time candidate and public defender, claimed victory over Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy in a closely watched race for the clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County. With unofficial election results indicating a convincing lead, Cartwright addressed her supporters Tuesday night at The Haven restaurant in Jamaica Plain. "This is not a victory for me, this is a victory for us," she declared, emphasizing the win as a collective achievement for democracy and the independence of the state’s highest court, as reported by the Boston Globe.
While the official count is still pending, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told the crowd at The Haven that Cartwright's campaign was confident in an 'insurmountable' lead, supported by immediate feedback from polling locations and the yet-to-be-counted mail-in votes. High-profile figures rallying around Cartwright included Mayor Wu, state Representative John Moran, and Boston City Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Ben Weber. Conversely, some political insiders view the endorsement split as indicative of a broader ideological divide within the Massachusetts Democratic Party, with some supporting Murphy due to her perceived moderate stances and experience in public office.
The race turned heads well beyond its typical reach, drawing attention to the administrative role, with MassLive reporting that voters like Roslindale lawyer Christina Fitzgerald were motivated by the significance of the judiciary in resolving political issues. "I was excited to vote for her," Fitzgerald said, ascribing the efficiency of court operations to candidates like Cartwright. On the other side, lifelong Democrat and Dorchester resident Vincent Baker supported Murphy, citing her organization skills and political alignment to his own.
The role of the SJC clerk is crucial in managing the court’s single justice caseload and overseeing the admission of attorneys to the Massachusetts bar, among other responsibilities. According to the Boston Globe, the incoming clerk stands to earn a significant salary increase, with the outgoing clerk Doyle reported to have made nearly $190,000 in 2023. The victory also marks a significant milestone for Cartwright, who, up until the race, held a vital position managing the public defender division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services with an income just under $142,000 last year, as opposed to Murphy’s $103,500 earned as a city councilor in 2023.
