Republican St. Gelais flips 8th Bristol state rep seat. Full results
Voters in the 8th Bristol District elected Republican Jesse W. St. Gelais of Acushnet to represent them in the Nov. 3 general election. The election pitted the Democratic incumbent state Rep. Steven J. Ouellette , seeking a second term on Beacon Hill, against the Republican newcomer. As of Wednesday, Nov. 4, St. Gelais had received 9,006 votes to 8,547 for Ouellette in unofficial results. During the campaign, Ouellette pointed to money he says he has helped direct toward communities in the district, constituent services and his experience in local government as evidence that he has been effective during his first term. St. Gelais argued the district needs a different political voice on Beacon Hill, saying state spending, energy costs and the Legislature's resistance to Auditor Diana DiZoglio's effort to audit the Legislature show a need for greater accountability. St. Gelais, 43, graduated from New Bedford High School and attended Bristol Community College. He has spent 26 years running his family's New Bedford insurance business, Help-U-Insure. His civic involvement includes serving as a former vice president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and as a member of the New Bedford Port Society's board of managers and finance committee. He has
