State Rep. Susan Willams Gifford (R-Wareham) was reelected for a ninth term to represent Wareham, Carver and Middleborough in the state legislature on Tuesday. 

Gifford defeated Sarah Hewins (D-Carver) who challenged the incumbent two years ago. Results from all three towns in the 2nd Plymouth District showed Gifford earning 57 percent of the vote to Hewins’ 42 percent.

Gifford, who holds a degree in business administration from Western Michigan University, was first elected as representative in 2002 after a career as an insurance consultant. A resident of Wareham for more than two decades with her husband Mark, she served as a Selectmen for three years prior to becoming a legislator.

Gifford said she was glad to be headed back to Beacon Hill and thanked voters.

“Serving the people of Wareham, Carver and Middleborough as their state representative is really my greatest honor,” said Gifford. “I’m looking forward to building on the success of the last two years and I’m proud that I ran a positive campaign focused on my accomplishments and the priorities of my constituents.”

In Wareham, Gifford netted 5,229 votes (55 percent) to Hewins’ 3,810 votes (40 percent).

Carver’s and Middleborough’s results show Gifford earning 3,086 and 2,338  votes, respectively. Hewins earned 2,949 votes in Carver, where she is a current Selectman, and 1,426 votes in Middleborough.

Hewins is in her fourth term as a Selectman and formerly served on the town’s Planning Board. She was the town’s Conservation Agent for 15 years. After the election, Hewins said she was going to continue in public service. 

"I want to congratulate my opponent, Representative Gifford, on her win. And I want to thank the voters of the 2nd Plymouth District for talking with me about what matters to them in this District. Going forward, I will continue to be engaged in community service and public service that has a positive effect on Carver and neighboring towns as I have for the past 20 years,” said Hewins. “I'm extremely proud of how positive and forward-looking our campaign was. And, finally, I could not have run this campaign without the help and support of many, many people. You know who you are. Thank you all."