Republican Durant declares victory in state Senate race for Worcester-Hampshire district

Spencer Republican Peter Durant declared victory in a special state Senate election in Central Massachusetts, flipping a seat that's been held by Democrats for more than five decades.

Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis introduced Durant at his election night party at the Center Tree Bar and Grill in Rutland.

"The Republican Party is back, people," Evangelidis said to a round of applause.

Durant won over Gardner Democrat Jon Zlotnik and attributed his success, in part, to the hard work of his supporters. Both men currently serve in the state House of Representatives, and Zlotnik will keep his House seat. Durant…