Ed Markey Defeats Gabriel Gomez in Massachusetts Special Election, Takes John Kerry’s Senate Seat

Updated on

Today, Massachusetts is holding a special election to fill the seat previously held by John Kerry, who left to become secretary of state. U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, a Democrat, is running against Republican Gabriel Gomez, a private equity executive and former Navy SEAL. The polls are now closed and the results are trickling in. From the first numbers the race appears much closer than many had forecast.

Ed Markey Defeats Gabriel Gomez in Massachusetts Special Election, Takes John Kerry's Senate Seat

According to Yahoo finance:

A Suffolk University poll released on Monday put Ed Markey 10 percentage points ahead of Gomez, a businessman and veteran Navy SEAL—52 to 42 percent—among likely voters. That poll, conducted June 19-22, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

A Western New England University poll showed Ed Markey 8 percentage points ahead of Gomez—49 to 41 percent—among likely voters, and 9 percent undecided. That poll was conduced June 16-20 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.

Here are some reactions from Twitter:

 

 

 

We will have further coverage as more numbers trickle in. Right now it appears to be an Ed Markey victory, but it is too soon to determine.

UPDATE: 8:31PM EST Massachusetts Senate Special Election: Gomez 97,742 (52.2%) – Markey 88,743 (47.4%). 14% of precincts reporting.

8:35: 17 percent in, Gomez leads by nearly 12,000 votes (52-47%)…major population centers still out & will likely go heavily Markey

8:40 MA Special Election: Quincy’s Election HQ Election Update: 52% Gomez, 48% Ed Markey and 0% Heos. It’s 23% reporting. Still too close to call.

8:43 Alford, Buckland, Cummington, Edgartown, Egremont, Hinsdale for Markey. Athol, Boylston, Dracut, Dudley, Granby, Halifax for Gomez.

8:50 About 7000 votes between Ed Markey and Gomez, major cities still haven’t reported

8:52: HuffingtonPost now reporting Markey ahead in Senate race with 49.9% and Gomez with 49.7% ….38% of precincts reporting.

8:54: Markey now up by 5000, still no word from Boston

8:59: lead reverses to Ed Markey 51% to 48% http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2013/by_county/MA_Page_0625.html?SITE=WCVBTVELN&SECTION=POLITICS … looks like this one is over but we will continue to update results as they come in.

9:03: Markey (D) leads Gabriel Gomez (R) 51.8%-47.8% with 56% reporting

9:06: Markey (D) leads Gabriel Gomez (R) 52.6%-47.0% with 63% reporting

9:08: 1st Boston results in. Breaking 65/35 in favor of Ed Markey.

9:10: Markey (D) 416,710 52.7%
Gomez (R) 371,000 46.9%

9:11: 75% in, Ed Markey is up by 7

9:13: BOSTON (AP) _ Longtime Democratic Rep. Ed Markey wins US Senate election in Mass. to replace John Kerry.

9:14: Associated Press has also called the race for Markey, this race appears to be over.

Well do some limited post election coverage as well:

9:25: First, we are apolitical (and know nothing about either candidate) but as patriotic citizens wish Markey congratulations and best of luck in his new and important role.

9: 26: Despite those close early returns, it looks like Markey wins #MASEN by a margin as wide as the pre-election polls predicted. He’s now +9

9:37: Some links from major publications:

Democrat Markey Wins Massachusetts Senate Election WSJ

Markey wins US Senate special election Boston Globe

Markey wins Mass. Senate election, CNN projects CNN

Ed Markey defeats Gabriel Gomez in Massachusetts Politico

Democrat Markey wins Kerry’s US Senate seat in Massachusetts special election Fox

End of coverage here, have a great night!

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