In the race for Governor, Republican incumbent Robert F. Bradford lost re-election to former attorney general Paul Dever.

Democrats swept the six statewide offices, defeating incumbents in five races, and took control of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the first time since the American Civil War.

Incumbent Republican Secretary of the Commonwealth Frederic W. Cook ran for re-election to a record fifteenth two-year term in office, but was narrowly defeated by Democrat Edward J. Cronin.

Saltonstall won the seat in the 1944 special election created by Henry Cabot Lodge Jr's resignation.

The 2nd District seat (based in Springfield) was won by Democrat Foster Furcolo over incumbent Republican Charles R. Clason.