The 2013 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts was held on June 25, 2013, in order to fill the Massachusetts Class 2 United States Senate seat for the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2015.

The vacancy that prompted the special election was created by the resignation of Senator John Kerry, in order to become U.S. Secretary of State. On January 30, 2013, Governor Deval Patrick chose his former chief of staff, Mo Cowan, to serve as interim U.S. Senator. Cowan declined to participate in the election. A party primary election was held on April 30, to determinate the nominees of each party for the general election. The Massachusetts Democrats nominated U.S. Representative Ed Markey, while the Massachusetts Republicans nominated Gabriel E. Gomez, a businessman and former Navy SEAL.

The race drew remarks from the media, because of its potential similarity to the 2010 special election, when Republican state senator Scott Brown upset the Democratic nominee, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. However, Gomez trailed Markey in every opinion poll taken, and Markey defeated him by 120,122 votes, despite low turnout.

Background The incumbent senator, John Kerry (Democratic), was nominated to serve as U.S. Secretary of State by President Barack Obama on December 21, 2012."Remarks by the President at Nomination of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State", The White House, December 21, 2012. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 29, 2013, and in a letter to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Kerry announced his resignation from the Senate, effective February 1. Kerry was sworn in as secretary of state on the same day.

Patrick's former chief of staff, Mo Cowan, was appointed to replace Kerry in the Senate on the same day, and immediately ruled himself out of the special election. The special primary elections took place on April 30. Democratic U.S. Representative Ed Markey and Republican businessman Gabriel E. Gomez won their respective primaries.

Democratic primary U.S. Representatives Ed Markey and Stephen F. Lynch both announced campaigns for the open seat. Markey was perceived as more left-wing than Lynch.

Candidates Stephen F. Lynch, U.S. representative from South Boston Ed Markey, U.S. representative from Malden

Declined Ben Affleck, actor Michael Capuano, U.S. representative, 2010 Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Martha Coakley, Attorney General of Massachusetts and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010 Mo Cowan, appointed incumbent U.S. senator Benjamin Downing, state senator Kimberley Driscoll, mayor of Salem Barney Frank, former U.S. representative Edward M. Kennedy Jr., entrepreneur, investment banker, lawyer, and son of senator Ted Kennedy Victoria Reggie Kennedy, widow of senator Ted Kennedy Gerard Leone, Middlesex County District Attorney Jim McGovern, U.S. representative Marty Meehan, chancellor of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and former U.S. Representative Carmen Ortiz, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Deval Patrick, governor of Massachusetts Jonah Pesner, rabbi Niki Tsongas, U.S. representative and widow of senator Paul Tsongas

Debates Complete video of debate, March 27, 2013 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, April 22, 2013 - C-SPAN

Endorsements

Polling Poll source StephenLynch EdMarkey Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 29–30, 2013 763 ±4.9% 19% 52% — 29%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 13–14, 2013 426 LV ±4.8% 28% 43% — 29%WBUR/MassINC March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 24% 35% 0% 41%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 26–27, 2013 496 LV ±4.4% 32% 49% 0% 19%WNEUWNEU April 11–18, 2013 270 LV ±6% 34% 44% 0% 21%

Poll source MikeCapuano MarthaCoakley VickiKennedy StephenLynch EdMarkey MartyMeehan DevalPatrick Other UndecidedEmerson CollegeEmerson College December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% 13% 11% 16% — — — 20% 10% 30%WBUR/MassINCWBUR/MassINC December 17–18, 2012 500 RV ±3.3% 8% 21% — 5% 5% 3% 36% 3% 19%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates Gabriel E. Gomez, businessman and former Navy SEAL Michael J. Sullivan, former United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and former acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Daniel Winslow, State Representative

Withdrawn Sean Bielat, nominee for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district in 2010 and 2012 Jon Fetherston, former Ashland Selectman

Declined Keith Ablow, psychiatrist and Fox News contributor Charlie Baker, former state cabinet secretary and nominee for Governor of Massachusetts in 2010 Scott Brown, former U.S. Senator Lew Evangelidis, sheriff of Worcester County Kerry Healey, former lieutenant governor and nominee for governor in 2006 Joe Malone, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts Ann Romney, former First Lady of Massachusetts Tagg Romney, businessman and son of former Governor Mitt Romney Jane Swift, former lieutenant governor and acting governor Bruce Tarr, State Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, former State Senate Minority Leader, nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2010, and nominee for Massachusetts’ 6th congressional district in 2012 William Weld, former Governor of Massachusetts and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1996

Debates Complete video of debate, March 27, 2013 - C-SPAN

Endorsements

Polling Poll source GabrielGomez MichaelSullivan DanielWinslow Other UndecidedWBUR/MassINC March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 8% 28% 10% 3% 50%WNEU April 11–18, 2013 128 LV ±9% 33% 27% 9% — 30%

Poll source CharlieBaker ScottBrown BillWeld Other UndecidedEmerson College December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% — 80% 7% 5% 7%WBUR/MassINC December 17–18, 2012 500 RV ±3.3% 5% 81% 6% 1% 7%

Results

General election

Candidates Gabriel E. Gomez (Republican), businessman and former Navy SEAL Richard A. Heos (Twelve Visions Party) Ed Markey (Democratic), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts's 5th congressional district

Withdrawn Daniel Fishman (Libertarian), former teacher and nominee for Massachusetts's 6th congressional district in 2012 Jack E. Robinson III (Independent), businessman and perennial Republican candidate

Debates Complete video of debate, June 5, 2013 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, June 18, 2013 - C-SPAN

Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt (D) $7,866,591 $8,652,479 $2,264,701 $0 (R) $3,304,338 $2,307,217 $997,120 $900,100 Source: Federal Election Commission

Top contributors Ed Markey Contribution Gabriel Gomez Contribution League of Conservation Voters $147,518 Advent International $38,850 Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo $35,950 Berkshire Partners $36,300 Dish Network $32,000 Summit Partners $28,900 Bain Capital $26,000 Bain Capital $11,400 Harvard University $24,400 Easterly Capital $10,400 DLA Piper $24,400 William Blair & Company $10,300 Comcast Corporation $23,350 HarbourVest Partners $7,800 WilmerHale $23,000 Power Financial Corporation $6,200 Berkshire Group $20,700 BMO Capital Markets $5,200 American Cable Association $20,500 Carlyle Group $5,200 Source: OpenSecrets

Top industries

Ed Markey Contribution Gabriel Gomez Contribution Lawyers/Law Firms $528,470 Financial Institutions $211,800 Financial Institutions $228,050 Retired $37,250 Entertainment Industry $179,400 Misc Finance $16,105 Environmental Organizations $171,568 Lawyers/Law Firms $13,250 Real Estate $134,900 Business Services $13,050 Lobbyists $134,900 Commercial Banks $7,750 Retired $107,101 Manufacturing & Distributing $6,200 Business Services $101,200 High-Tech Industry $6,000 High-Tech Industry $65,450 Retail Industry $5,600 Universities $65,150 Misc Business $5,100 Source: OpenSecrets

Predictions Source Rating As of Sabato's Crystal BallMay 9, 2013

Polling Poll source EdMarkey (D) Gabriel E.Gomez (R) Other UndecidedUMass Lowell-Boston HeraldUMass Lowell-Boston Herald March 2–5, 2013 309 RV ±4% 47% 28% 7% 19%WBUR/MassINC March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 44% 25% 3% 26%WNEU April 11–18, 2013 480 LV ±4.5% 51% 36% — 12%Emerson CollegeEmerson College May 1, 2013 797 RV ±2.5% 42% 36% — 16%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 1–2, 2013 1,539 LV ±2.5% 44% 40% — 16%WBUR/MassINCWBUR/MassINC May 5–6, 2013 497 LV ±4.4% 41% 35% 0% 23%SuffolkSuffolk May 4–7, 2013 500 LV ±4.4% 52% 35% — 13%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 13–15, 2013 880 LV ±3.3% 48% 41% — 11%Emerson CollegeEmerson College May 20–22, 2013 867 LV ±3.26% 45% 33% — 22%New England CollegeNew England College June 1–2, 2013 734 RV ±3.62% 52% 40% — 8%UMass Amherst-YouGov America May 30 – June 4, 2013 357 RV ±5.4% 51% 40% — 9%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 3–4, 2013 560 LV ±5.4% 47% 39% — 14%WBURWBUR June 6–9, 2013 500 LV ±3.4% 43% 36% — 17%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University June 6–9, 2013 500 LV ±3.4% 44% 36% — 10%Harper PollingHarper Polling June 10–11, 2013 498 RV ±4.39% 49% 37% — 14%Boston GlobeBoston Globe June 11–14, 2013 508 LV ±4.3% 54% 41% — 4%UMass Lowell-Boston HeraldUMass Lowell-Boston Herald June 15–19, 2013 608 RV ±4% 56% 36% — 7%WNEUWNEU June 16–20, 2013 566 LV ±4.1% 49% 41% — 9%Emerson CollegeEmerson College June 19–20, 2013 1,422 RV ±2.5% 51% 41% — 8%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University June 19–22, 2013 500 LV ±4.4% 52% 42% 1% 5%

With Markey Poll source EdMarkey (D) MichaelSullivan (R) DanielWinslow (R) Other UndecidedUMass Lowell-Boston Herald March 2–5, 2013 309 RV ±4% 48% 30% — 5% 17% 49% — 26% 5% 20%WBUR/MassINC March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 44% 27% — 2% 25% 44% — 22% 3% 29%WNEU April 11–18, 2013 480 LV ±4.5% 52% 34% — — 15% 51% — 32% — 16%

With Lynch Poll source StephenLynch (D) Gabriel E.Gomez (R) MichaelSullivan (R) DanielWinslow (R) Other UndecidedUMass Lowell-Boston Herald March 2–5, 2013 309 RV ±4% 45% 27% — — 6% 22% 45% — 28% — 7% 21% 48% — — 24% 8% 19%WBUR/MassINC March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 55% 17% — — 1% 26% 49% — 21% — 1% 28% 52% — — 15% 1% 31%WNEU April 11–18, 2013 480 LV ±4.5% 58% 26% — — — 14% 57% — 25% — — 17% 59% — — 23% — 16%

With Brown Poll source MikeCapuano (D) MarthaCoakley (D) VickiKennedy (D) StephenLynch (D) EdMarkey (D) MartyMeehan (D) DevalPatrick (D) GenericDemocrat ScottBrown (R) Other UndecidedEmerson College December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% — — 40% — — — — — 46% — 14% — — — — — — 48% — 43% — 9%WBUR/MassINC December 17–18, 2012 500 RV ±3.3% 28% — — — — — — — 47% 4% 16% — 36% — — — — — — 51% 3% 8% — — — 24% — — — — 51% 4% 15% — — — — 30% — — — 48% 4% 15% — — — — — 30% — — 49% 4% 14% — — — — — — 40% — 47% 3% 7% — — — — — — — 39% 47% — 15%David Paleologos Suffolk/NAGEDavid Paleologos Suffolk/NAGE ? ? ±? — — — 33% — — — — 42% — 25% — — — — 39% — — — 49% — 12% [WBUR/MassINC] January 16–19, 2013 435 RV ±3.6% — — — — 31% — — — 53% 1% 17% — — — — — — — 36% 44% 3% 12%Public Policy Polling January 29–30, 2013 763 RV ±3.6% — — — 39% — — — — 48% — 12% — — — — 45% — — — 48% — 8%

With Weld Poll source VickiKennedy (D) DevalPatrick (D) BillWeld (R) Other UndecidedEmerson College December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% 40% — 37% — 23% — 50% 32% — 18%

Results

By county

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;font-size:90%;line-height:1.3" ! rowspan="2" |County ! colspan="2" |Ed MarkeyDemocratic ! colspan="2" |Gabriel GomezRepublican ! colspan="2" |All Others |- ! data-sort-type="number" |# ! data-sort-type="number" |% ! data-sort-type="number" |# ! data-sort-type="number" |% ! data-sort-type="number" |# ! data-sort-type="number" |% |- ! |Barnstable | |27,982 | |46.5 | |32,020 | |53.2 | |229 | |0.4 |- ! |Berkshire | |15,809 | |72.7 | |5,817 | |26.8 | |111 | |0.5 |- ! |Bristol | |33,791 | |49.0 | |34,722 | |50.2 | |467 | |0.7 |- ! |Dukes | |2,965 | |68.7 | |1,338 | |31.0 | |13 | |0.3 |- ! |Essex | |65,339 | |50.5| |63,248 | |48.9 | |720 | |0.6 |- ! |Franklin | |10,830| |66.8| |5,276 | |32.5 | |117 | |0.7 |- ! |Hampden | |30,894 | |47.0