Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democratic incumbent in an academically high-performing state, has won re-election in Massachusetts, according to the AP.
Patrick defeated Charlie Baker, a Republican, and Tim Cahill, an Independent. The Massachusetts governor has been a supporter of his state participating in the Common Core State Standards Initiative, despite some critics’ complaints that it would lower the academic bar in Massachusetts. He also campaigned on promises to expand early-childhood education and reduce the achievement gap.