There were a few moments of elation as the results for the special U.S. Senate election poured in Tuesday night, but then Edward Markey took the lead, and Gabriel Gomez admitted defeat.
In his concession speech at the Seaport Hotel in South Boston, Gomez said Markey was a better person as a result of the campaign.
"Senator-elect Markey is going to be a better senator from Massachusetts than he would have been on his own and it’s because of you in this room," Gomez said. "He heard your voice in this campaign."
The Gomez and Markey campaigns had major spending differences. Federal Election Commission records show Gomez spent $2.3 million on the race through the end of the last reporting period June 5, compared with $8.6 million by Markey.
"We went up against literally the whole national Democratic party, and all its allies, and the machine," he said. "But, in the face of this great adversity we could not have fought a better fight."
Gomez choked up while thanking his wife above all. She and their four children were tearful as they stood beside him on stage. Gomez also referred to his parents, emphasizing his Colombian roots.
“I am so grateful my parents stayed here after I was born. And tonight I think they validated that they made the right decision. I’m going to continue to fight for our country. I’m going to make sure we have a strong, safe America.”
Gomez did not criticize the national Republican party for its lack of support, leaving the obvious question of whether he’ll run again. And it could be argued that his speech was politically aware.
“I just want to dwell on what I think was the most important moment in this campaign. It wasn’t a debate, it wasn’t a rally and it wasn’t a fundraiser. It’s what happened on Patriot’s Day. Now we saw a cowardly group of terrorists. And we reacted the way America reacts. We’re indeed a strong people.”
Even Massachusetts Republican Committee Chair Kirsten Hughes hinted at a future for Gomez in politics, saying Gomez is “not going away.” The next US Senate election is just 17 months away.
