New faces, new party for DA and Sheriffs: Cape and Islands Election 2022

CAI's reporters fanned out across the region to cover an election marked by high turnout and a resurgent Democratic party, which claimed the offices of Cape and Islands District Attorney, Barnstable County Sheriff, and Bristol County Sheriff. We've got results from key local and statewide races here. We've also got photos and as-it-happened coverage from an historic evening.
Winners as of Wednesday morning:
- Rob Galibois (D) – Cape and Islands District Attorney
- Bill Keating (D) – 9th Congressional District
- Su Moran (D) – Plymouth and Barnstable State Senate seat
- Julian Cyr (D) – Cape and Islands State Senate seat
- Chris Flanagan (D) – 1st Barnstable District
- Kip Diggs (D) – 2nd Barnstable district
- David Veira (R) – 3rd Barnstable District
- Ron Bergstrom (D) – Barnstable County Commissioner
- Paul Heroux (D) – Bristol County Sheriff
- Donna Buckley (D) – Barnstable County Sheriff
Results are coming in
Donna Buckley declares victory in the race for Barnstable County Sheriff.

Chris Flanagan declares victory in the race for State Representative in the First Barnstable District.

Robert Galibois declares victory in the race for Cape and Islands District Attorney.

Kip Diggs has declared victory for state representative in the 2nd Barnstable district.

Susan Moran is the declared winner for the Plymouth and Barnstable State Senate Seat.

The Associated Press has called the Massachusetts governor’s race for Maura Healey.

Polls are closed. Events are on.
12:22 a.m.

Donna Buckley shortly after learning she won the race for Barnstable County Sheriff.
11:20 p.m.

Galibois declares victory in DA’s race on the Cape and Islands and announces the Cape and Islands’ first woman 1st assistant DA, Jessica Elumba of Mansfield, to his left.
9:35 p.m.


Donna Buckley has arrived at the Democratic watch event. She told CAI, "We've got to wait until every vote is counted” and “that’s what today’s all about.” The crowd cheered when she came in.

Rep. Keating and Sen Cyr are at the Democratic watch party in Hyannis. Keating’s party room is starting to fill up. They have results being updated on a Google sheet and projected on a big screen.
8:10 p.m.
Our reporters are fanning out around the region to report from Republican and Democratic election events.
Jennette Barnes shares that the stage is set for Congressman Bill Keating’s election night party at the Cape Codder in Hyannis, where many Cape & Islands Democrats will be gathering.
The Robert Galibois campaign (D) for Cape & Islands DA has its own room in Hyannis separate from the Keating party down the hall. Galibois has arrived. His campaign also has what he calls a “war room” set up to get the numbers.

About 100 people are at Columbos in Hyannis at the Higgins for District Attorney event. The Republican is running to be the next District Attorney for the Cape & Islands. The seat hasn’t changed hands in 20 yrs. No Democrat has held the seat since 1971. Eve Zuckoff reports the crowd is jovial.

Reporter Ryan Bray is at Tugboats in West Yarmouth covering the Tim Whelan and Tracy Post campaigns.
And, Patrick Flaherty shares, "Polls are closed and the counting begins. I’m covering Paul Heroux tonight in Somerset. Heroux hopes to unseat Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson, who’s held the job for 25 years."

Counting down to polls closing at 8pm
The stage is set for Congressman Bill Keating’s election night party at the Cape Codder in Hyannis, where many Cape & Islands Democrats will be gathering. @WCAI_NPR is fanning out around the region to report from Republican and Democratic election events. pic.twitter.com/ozB9JIYk30
— Jennette Barnes (@jbarnesnews) November 9, 2022
The Robert Galibois campaign (D) for Cape & Islands DA has its own room in Hyannis separate from the Keating party down the hall. Galibois has arrived. His campaign also has what he calls a “war room” set up to get the numbers. @WCAI_NPR pic.twitter.com/Gtnvlx2QWX
— Jennette Barnes (@jbarnesnews) November 9, 2022
At Tugboats in West Yarmouth covering the Tim Whelan and Tracy Post campaigns for @WCAI_NPR More updates to come as polls prepare to close. pic.twitter.com/XSzskGwIQQ
— Ryan Bray (@FeedbackBos) November 9, 2022
Ready for an election wave
Election Eve on #Nantucket. Signs for 2 Republicans and a Select Board candidate decorate a boat in the harbor. @WCAI_NPR pic.twitter.com/fXIKzR6prG
— Jennette Barnes (@jbarnesnews) November 7, 2022
Live election coverage begins at 8 p.m.

CAI's Mindy Todd will be live on the air beginning at 8 p.m. Henri Rauschenbach and Paul Niedzwiecki will join Mindy to provide commentary on election night. CAI reporters will be in the field reporting live from candidate gatherings. Our sister station, GBH, will have live coverage of state-wide elections.