The last day before polls open in the Massachusetts Senate race, Republican Gabriel Gomez and Democrat Edward Markey are traveling from restaurants to rallies in a frantic effort to get out their last messages and encourage people to vote, despite the heat.
George’s Italian restaurant in Brockton was packed with several dozen Republican supporters on Monday eager to show their support for Gomez this afternoon.
“I think we need somebody new in Washington that’s not a dedicated politician that hasn’t been there 30-something years. We need somebody new.”
Just as Elaine Dahlgren made that plea, Gomez walked through the door. Smiling and appearing relaxed, he shook hands with everyone in the room, introducing himself when necessary. He urged supporters to stay positive despite polls showing Markey with at least an eight point lead.
“I’m only asking for 17 months. He’s had 37 years to go down there and get the big things done. Where I come from you either lead or get out of the way," Gomez told the crowd. "He’s failed in his mission. I ask just give me 17 months.”
Gomez predicted Markey supporters would show lower turnout.
“I can see why they’re not really going to turn out much," he said. "They haven’t been given a reason to vote for.”
Gomez’s reasons include his centrism as a Republican. He supports gay marriage and immigration reform, and calls himself pro-life, though he says he would not change abortion laws.
Brockton resident Bob Cogan thinks Gomez has a good understanding of urban issues in Massachusetts.
“Mr. Gomez is a fresh face, he’s got good ideas. He’s obviously an intelligent man. He supports basic conservative things and ideas. Immigration’s an issue that we have to address," he said. "We have a major problem here in Brockton which no one seems to want to address. And yet it’s total chaos.”
Gomez didn’t talk about immigration in Brockton but may tonight when he attends a rally in Quincy, where Scott Brown is slated to join him.
