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Ed Markey wins vacant Massachusetts Senate seat | Ed Markey wins vacant Massachusetts Senate seat |
(35 minutes later) | |
Democratic Representative Edward Markey has won election to Secretary of State John Kerry's former Senate seat. | Democratic Representative Edward Markey has won election to Secretary of State John Kerry's former Senate seat. |
Mr Markey, a 37-year veteran of Congress, beat Republican Gabriel Gomez, a political newcomer and former Navy Seal, in a low turn-out vote. | Mr Markey, a 37-year veteran of Congress, beat Republican Gabriel Gomez, a political newcomer and former Navy Seal, in a low turn-out vote. |
Though the state historically leans Democratic, the party feared a repeat of Republican Scott Brown's surprise victory in a 2010 special election. | Though the state historically leans Democratic, the party feared a repeat of Republican Scott Brown's surprise victory in a 2010 special election. |
Mr Kerry, also a Democrat, had held the seat for 29 years before February. | Mr Kerry, also a Democrat, had held the seat for 29 years before February. |
Mr Markey's victory means the Democrats retain their 55-45 Senate majority, which includes two independent senators who tend to vote with the party. | |
With nearly 90% of the vote reporting, Mr Markey was ahead 54%-45%. | With nearly 90% of the vote reporting, Mr Markey was ahead 54%-45%. |
Mr Markey, 66, said on Tuesday before polls closed he was confident he had campaigned as best he could. | Mr Markey, 66, said on Tuesday before polls closed he was confident he had campaigned as best he could. |
"I have delivered a message on gun safety, on a woman's right to choose, on creating more jobs, and I think that message has been delivered and I feel very good about today," he said. | "I have delivered a message on gun safety, on a woman's right to choose, on creating more jobs, and I think that message has been delivered and I feel very good about today," he said. |
'No fair fight' | 'No fair fight' |
Fearing a surprise upset victory by Mr Gomez, prominent Democrats poured money and support into Mr Markey's campaign, with President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden campaigning for him. | Fearing a surprise upset victory by Mr Gomez, prominent Democrats poured money and support into Mr Markey's campaign, with President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden campaigning for him. |
Mr Gomez, 47, had argued Mr Markey had failed make an impact in Congress even after 37 years. | Mr Gomez, 47, had argued Mr Markey had failed make an impact in Congress even after 37 years. |
In his concession speech, the Republican acknowledged the odds were against him in Massachusetts, one of the most solidly Democratic states in the US. | In his concession speech, the Republican acknowledged the odds were against him in Massachusetts, one of the most solidly Democratic states in the US. |
"In the military you learn one thing," he said, "that not every fight's a fair fight. | "In the military you learn one thing," he said, "that not every fight's a fair fight. |
"We were massively overspent. We went up against literally the whole national Democratic Party." | "We were massively overspent. We went up against literally the whole national Democratic Party." |
Mr Markey will join Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, also a Democrat. She beat Mr Brown in the 2012 election. | Mr Markey will join Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, also a Democrat. She beat Mr Brown in the 2012 election. |
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