Gabriel Gomez will face quite a challenge while he tries to become a Republican elected to the Senate in heavily liberal Massachusetts, but it should be a great deal easier than some of the other challenges Gomez has faced as former Navy SEAL.
Gomez will face Democrat Rep. Ed Markey in the special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by John Kerry. Kerry vacated the seat that he has held since 1985 in order to become Secretary of State.
The race is Gomez's first bid for office while, Markey has been in the House since Gomez was 10-years old. Gomez is the son of Columbian immigrants and is touted by Republicans as having a unique resume and moderate views on social issues, according to Newsmax.
The U.S. Navy SEAL program is known for being one of the most rigorous physical and mental challenges a person can put themselves through. Gomez hopes his military pedigree will be viewed by voters as proof that he can lead in the U.S. Senate.
Gomez was able to come out of the Republican primary in part because he outspent his competitors, according to The Atlantic. Unlike many candidates, it appears as if most of that money has come from Gomez himself, the Associated Press reported he made a $600,000 loan to himself to fun his campaign. It remains to be seen if GOP groups will provide additional financial aid.
Gomez ran in this year's Boston Marathon that was marred by the bombings. Afterward Gomez pulled all of his television ads and called on President Barack Obama to treat the Tsarnaev Brothers as enemy combatants, according to Newsmax.
While remaining fiscally conservative, Gomez supports more liberal issues such as gay marriage and immigration reform, according to his campaign website. Jerry Moran, National Republican Senatorial Campaign Chairman, believes Gomez has what it takes to win the Senate seat in traditionally liberal Massachusetts.
"Gabriel Gomez lives, breathes and bleeds Massachusetts, but his story is uniquely American," Moran said. "Throughout his life, Gabriel, a former Navy SEAL commander, has served a cause far greater than himself or any one of us. Gabriel Gomez is the kind of results-oriented leader who will bring a never say die attitude and spirit of service to the Senate on behalf of the Bay State."
