State Rep. Brad Jones on Thursday defended the process by which he was re-elected minority leader, saying challenger Lewis Evangelidis' criticisms are off base.

Jones, a North Reading Republican, was re-elected on Wednesday in a nine to seven vote. Following the vote, Evangelidis ripped Jones for "shut[ing] down debate" and refusing to conduct the election by a secret ballot.

Sarah Scalese, a spokeswoman for Jones, disputed Evangelidis' recollection. She told PolitickerMA.com that a member of the caucus did motion to have the election by secret ballot and that Jones let the caucus vote on the matter. The 16-member caucus voted eight to seven against that motion, with Jones not voting.

Scalese also said there was plenty of opportunity for debate on the matter and that the process followed the same rules the House uses when the speaker is elected.

"The bottom line," Scalese said, "is that every rule was followed and there was ample opportunity for the Democratic process to play out. They just lost and are disappointed by the outcome."