His lieutenant governor, Evelyn Murphy, dropped out of the Democratic race shortly before the primary, after her failed attempt to take control of state affairs when Dukakis went to Europe on a trade mission. Her name remained on the ballot and she had 22,238, or 3 percent, with 78 percent of precincts reporting.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) former mayor of Springfield defeated Theodore Dimauro, another former mayor of that city in the race for Democratic nominee. With 152 of 198 precincts reporting, or 77 percent, Neal had 38,599 votes, or 65 percent, while Dimauro had 21,010 votes, or 35 percent.

Neal's win marked one of the few successes for an incumbent or political "insider" in a day of political upsets.

Frank's Race

Rep. Barney Frank '61 (D-Mass.), reprimanded by the House for his actions involving a male prostitute, faces token opposition from the GOP in November.

In races for prosecutor, Ronald Pina, the Bristol County DA whose office is investigating the murders of several young women whose bodies were found along area highways, was defeated by Paul F. Walsh Jr. in the Democratic primary.