It’s primary day in Massachusetts. Polls are open for the Democratic contest, while the state’s twelve remaining Republicans are meeting at an IHOP to pick a nominee.
Just kidding. While there is a GOP primary today, turnout is so low you could have both primaries in a mid-sized restaurant. It’s looking like turnout will be in the teens. Perhaps even the low teens.
In the GOP primary, State Senator Scott Brown is expected to get an easy win over habitual candidate Jack E. Robinson.
There are four Democratic candidates, with Attorney General Martha Coakley leading the polls. She’s had a double-digit margin the entire race.
Rep. Michael Capuano has worked hard, spent lots of money, and has a very good organization. It would be a surprise if he won, but not a total shock. It also wouldn’t matter, since either he or Coakley would be a solid far-left vote in the U.S. Senate.
City Year co-founder Alan Khazei hasn’t polled well, but he’s in the “community activism” business. When turnout is this low, and you can win the election with 26 percent of the vote, anything can happen. But it probably won’t.
Businessman and fellow Romney alum of Bain Capital, Steve Pagliuca, has spent a lot of money. I hope he had fun.
Polls close at 8 p.m. Expect results before 10 p.m. There’s a general election January 19, but the next U.S. senator from Massachusetts will be the Democrat elected tonight.