Following Tuesday's primaries, the race to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's old Massachusetts Senate seat will be a showdown between a longtime Congressman and a political newcomer.
While 18-term Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., easily won the Democratic primary, businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez came out on top in the Republican primary.
Markey, who was first elected to the House in 1976, defeated fellow Congressman Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., by 57 percent to 43 percent.
Meanwhile, Gomez won a three-way race, receiving about 51 percent of the vote compared to 36 percent for former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and 13 percent for state Representative Dan Winslow.
Markey is seen as the early frontrunner in the race due largely to Democrats' three-to-one advantage in party affiliation in Massachusetts.
The pair will face off in a special election on June 25th, although the winner will only serve until 2014 and will have to run again to seek a full six-year term in the Senate.
The seat is currently filled by William "Mo" Cowan, who Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick appointed to serve as interim senator after Kerry was confirmed as Secretary of State.
In his remarks following his primary election victory, Gomez sought to portray Markey as a career politician who has been in Washington for too long.
"Congress has enough politicians," Gomez said. "If we keep sending politicians to Washington we will keep getting the same results."
"If you are looking for someone who refuses to work with the other party, I'm not your guy," he added. "But, if you are looking for a person that will reach across party lines, I'd be honored to have your support. If you are looking for a person who will put principle ahead of politics, join our campaign."
Meanwhile, Markey sought to highlight his political experience as a positive and promised to continue fighting on issues such as gun control, the environment, and abortion rights.
"In less than two months we will decide who has the leadership and experience to follow John Kerry in the United States Senate," Markey said.
He added, "Just as I have done as a congressman, I will stand up in the United States Senate and be a strong, passionate voice for working families across our state."
While the Boston Marathon bombings largely overshadowed the final weeks of the primary campaign, the race between Markey and Gomez is expected to heat up quickly in the short time before the special election.
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