MASSACHUSETTS: Democrat Ed Markey Wins Special US Senate Election

Eighteen-term US House Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) has won the special election to replace John Kerry in the Senate.

Markey beat Republican businessman Gabriel E. Gomez today in a special election for US Senate in Massachusetts that was marked by its brevity and by low voter interest. Gomez gave a concession speech shortly after 9:30 p.m., thanking his family and supporters. At the beginning of the race, he said, “Nobody knew who I was outside of Cohasset, a couple of Little League baseball teams, and the amazing people I worked with. But look at us now.” Markey had 55 percent of the votes, compared with 45 percent for Gomez, with 96 percent of precincts reporting.

Gomez, who has never held public office, campaigned as a moderate who supports same-sex marriage and background checks for gun purchases.  He also had a booth at this month’s Boston Pride festival.