Democrat, Republican win in special congressional elections

A Democratic state senator from a blue-collar district of Boston and a Republican lawmaker from the Florida Panhandle scored overwhelming victories in special congressional elections, helping the incumbent parties maintain their seats.

The congressional elections Tuesday were the first since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The results in Massachusetts and Florida came as little surprise given the political makeup in the two regions: The Florida district is one of the nation's most conservative, while Democrats in the Boston district outnumber Republicans 4 to 1.

The Boston race featured two state senators bidding for the seat vacated when Rep. Joseph Moakley died on Memorial Day of leukemia after serving for three decades.

Democrat Stephen Lynch, 46, a former ironworker from working-class South Boston, took 65 percent of the vote, while Republican state Sen. Jo Ann Sprague received 33 percent.

In Florida, Republican state Rep. Jeff Miller easily defeated two political newcomers in the special election to replace U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough, who resigned effective Sept. 6. to spend more time with his two young sons.