BOSTON â€" The most recent poll in a special Senate election in Massachusetts showed the Democratic candidate, Representative Edward J. Markey, leading Gabriel Gomez, his Republican challenger, by 10 percentage points.
The election, being held Tuesday, is for the Senate seat vacated by John Kerry, who stepped down to become secretary of state.
The campaign has run for less than two months, and Mr. Markey has consistently polled ahead of Mr. Gomez, though the margins have varied. Mr. Markey was first elected to Congress in 1976, and Mr. Gomez has never held elective office.
The poll, released Monday by the Suffolk University Political Research Center, showed Mr. Markey with the support of 52 percent of likely voters and Mr. Gomez with the support of 42 percent.
In three bellwether towns, which have accurately reflected the statewide vote in previous elections, Mr. Markey was leading Mr. Gomez by as much as 15 percentage points. The towns are Lowell, Dartmouth and South Hadley.
