SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Rep. Richard Neal , one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress, won his partys primary on Tuesday, overcoming an energetic progressive challenge from Alex Morse .

In the solidly Democratic 1st Congressional District, Neals primary victory virtually assures him a 17th term representing Western Massachusetts and a swath of the states central region.

We ran a terrific campaign no mistakes, Neal told reporters on Tuesday morning after voting in Springfields historically Irish-American Hungry Hill neighborhood where he lives and maintains a strong base of support.

My approach to this is not much different than it would have been in this neighborhood when I first started, he added, flanked by supporters holding placards with his name. Its still neighbor-to-neighbor, friend-to-friend and identifying your supporters and getting them out.