(Springfield Republican) U.S. Rep. Richard Neal beat out challenger Tahirah Amatul-Wadud in Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District Democratic primary Tuesday — a win that essentially guarantees the longtime congressman, who faces no Republican opponents, re-election in November.
Neal, who has represented Western Massachusetts in Washington for nearly 30 years, defeated the Springfield attorney and political newcomer, according to the Associated Press which called the race at 9:30 p.m.
The race, which garnered national attention given Amatul-Wadud’s bid to become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress, marked Neal’s toughest primary fight since redistricting moved the Springfield Democrat into the newly redrawn 1st Congressional District for the 2012 election.
