Long-time Lowell State Rep Ed LeLacheur passed away this week. He was first elected in a special election held in 1975 to fill the vacancy created when Ray Rourke resigned from the House to become the Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The House district at the time included Lowell Wards 10 and 11; Ward 2, Precinct 1; and Ward 4, Precincts 1, 2 and 4. The Democratic Primary was held on November 18, 1975. Here are the results (unless otherwise indicated, all candidates are from Lowell):

1. Ed LeLacheur – 1525
2. Tom Machado – 921
3. John McNulty (Chelmsford) – 712
4. Francis Gendreau – 406
5. Thomas Dougherty – 366
6. Gerald Mahoney – 231
7. Stephen Hartigan – 181
8. Tony Medeiros (Chelmsford) – 125
9. Mary Gath Murphy – 120
10. George Pilato – 89
11. Daniel Reynolds – 51

The Republicans had no candidate, but there was an Independent named John Burgoyne whom LeLacheur defeated in the December 16, 1975 special general election, 1983 votes to 303.