Edward Markey Pulls Double-Digit Lead Over Gabriel Gomez In Massachusetts Senate Race

FILE: May 2013: Republican Gabriel Gomez and Democrat U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, candidates for Senate in the June 24, 2013 special election in Massachusetts. (AP)

As the U.S. Senate race goes to homestretch in Massachusetts, Democrat Edward J. Markey has secured a double-digit lead over his opponent, Republican Gabriel E. Gomez, according to The Boston Globe, which published the poll.

Markey leads Gomez 54 percent to 41 percent, said Boston.com. About 4 percent of those surveyed said they remained undecided.

The special election is set for June 25 to replace former Sen. John Kerry, a Democrat who stepped down to become U.S. Secretary of State.

The poll queried 508 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percent.

Meanwhile, Markey, who is in Congress, and Gomez, a businessman who is a former Navy Seal, weighed in on the U.S. role in Syria.

Markey is offering cautious support for President Barack Obama's decision to begin arming rebels in Syria.

Markey, who opposes committing U.S. troops to the conflict, said Monday that he supports aiding rebels as long as the CIA can guarantee the arms are going to "pro-democracy insurgent groups."

Gomez said he's glad Obama has decided to take the step of arming rebels, but said the U.S. should be doing more, including establishing a no-fly zone to protect insurgents fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Markey said he's hesitant about enforcing a no-fly zone.

Obama authorized lethal aid to the rebels for the first time last Friday, after Washington said it had conclusive evidence that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons.

Also on Monday, Kerry cast his ballot in the race for his former seat.

Kerry told reporters he voted "based on my friendship and comments through the years" – a reference to Markey.

He also described himself as a "Democrat through and through."

Kerry also predicted a Boston Bruins win over Chicago in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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