Today is Election Day in the Massachusetts Senate primary.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., as voters cut the field of six Senate hopefuls down to two.
For the Democrats, Congressman Michael Capuano, Attorney General Martha Coakley, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca are all on the ballot.
In the Republican primary, state Sen. Scott Brown is facing off against attorney Jack E. Robinson.
Today's primary will produce a Democratic and Republican nominee for the general election, which is set for Jan. 19.
The seat, left vacant by the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, is being filled until the election by Sen. Paul Kirk.
Voter turnout is expected to be low to moderate.
"My heart tells me that it will probably be around 30 percent," Salem City Clerk Cheryl Lapointe said.
The Democrats
Michael Capuano
Congressman John Tierney says Capuano would bring passion to the Senate.
"He understands the legislative process better than any of them and the capacity to work within it and get things done. ... He's had better exposure statewide with 'Open Mike' events. ... I think he has a great progressive audience."
Martha Coakley
Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll is one of several North Shore pols backing the attorney general.
"She's someone who knows how to examine all sides of an issue, form an opinion and stick to it. You want somebody in the Senate who can come up with a decision and back it up in a way that will bring other lawmakers along. She's not prone to a knee-jerk reaction."
Alan Khazei
John Archer, an insurance executive known for his charitable work for North Shore organizations, praises Khazei for his work in co-founding City Year, a nonprofit community service organization.
"Alan is the creative one. It shows me he's innovative. (Senator) is not a reactionary position. You have to start the ball rolling. I have faith that he's that type of person. He has the personality of a statesman. ... He knows all the players quite well."
Steve Pagliuca
Peabody City Councilor Dave Gamache says Pagliuca's campaign promises are sincere.
"He's capable of bringing a lot of ideas on health care and jobs to the nation's capital. He's a self-made man. Everything he's ever done he's been successful at."
The Republicans
Scott Brown
State Rep. Brad Hill believes Brown will make an effective senator because his views are completely opposite those of the four Democrats.
"Certainly one of the biggest reasons is his fiscal conservative views. ... My fear is that many of the Democrats will do what they're told by (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid. ... I want someone who's looking out for the best interests of Massachusetts."
Jack E. Robinson
The Robinson campaign could not provide the newspaper with a North Shore campaign supporter to interview.
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