The 1974 Massachusetts general election was held on November 5, 1974, throughout
Massachusetts. Democratic and Republican candidates were selected in party primaries held September 10, 1974.
The Democratic primary in this election was notably competitive, with formidable challenges to two incumbent Democrats (Secretary of the Commonwealth
John Davoren, who lost, and Treasurer
Robert Q. Crane, who narrowly won) and two open primaries (for Governor and Attorney General).
In the general election, Democrats swept the statewide offices quite easily. Republican support may have been held down by the weight of the ongoing
Watergate scandal and the resignation of President
Richard Nixon.
Attorney GeneralRobert H. Quinn declined to run for re-election and instead ran for Governor. In the open primary to fill his seat, former Lt. Governor
Francis X. Bellotti won the Democratic nomination.
Bellotti defeated Republican nominee Josiah Spaulding in a close race.