NEW: Michael McCaffrey Holds on in Senate District 29

NEW: Michael McCaffrey Holds on in Senate District 29

Senate Judiciary chairman Michael McCaffrey has survived a Democratic primary challenge from Laura Pisaturo, GoLocalProv has confirmed.

McCaffrey’s victory is a major blow for marriage equality supporters, who have targeted the Senate in hopes the legislature will take on marriage quality in 2013. House Speaker Gordon Fox has already indicated his chamber vote on the issue early in the session.

McCaffrey, a conservative Democrat, was considered a favorite in the race, but Pisaturo gave him a scare thanks to her support from Fight Back RI, the group formed to support pro-equality candidates.

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McCaffrey will have no Republican challenger in November.
 

Dan McGowan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @danmcgowan.