North Andover Senate Primary Voting Guide

John Kerry has been out of the Senate for several weeks now, and Massachusetts is moving forward to decide his replacement. Today is the Special Senate Election Primary.

Where and When: All voting is at North Andover High School. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If there's a line, you may stay past 8 p.m. and vote if you were in line by 8 p.m.

In Massachusetts, if you are a registered Democrat, you much vote on a Democratic primary ballot. If you're a registered Republican, you must vote on a Republican primary ballot. If you are unaffiliated, you may vote on either (but not both).

Democrats

Congressman Steven Lynch represents Massachusetts' 8th congressional district -- which includes parts of Boston and south-of-Boston towns. First elected in 2001, Lynch is considered to be more conservative than most Democrats representing the state in Congress. Check out this Patch interview with Lynch.

Congressman Ed Markey represents Massachusetts' 5th congressional district. First elected to Congress in 1976, Markey is considered one of the more progressive Democrats in Congress. Check out this Patch interview with Markey.

Brett Rhyne is a write-in candidate for the Democratic nomination. A former journalist and Salem State College professor, Rhyne is running on a platform of wealth redistribution and income equality. Check out this Patch interview with Rhyne.

Repubicans

Gabriel Gomez is a former Navy SEAL from Cohasset, running in his first election. The son of South American immigrants, Gomez attended Harvard Business School and has a career in investment banking. Check out this Patch interview with Gomez.

Michael Sullivan is a former U.S. attorney, former district attorney and former director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He prosecuted many cases involving terrorism allegations, including that of the "shoe bomber" Richard Reid. Check out this Patch interview with Sullivan.

State Rep. Daniel Winslow represents the 9th Norfolk District. Winslow is an attorney at a Boston law firm and former legal counsel for then-Gov. Mitt Romney and former appellate justice. Check out this Patch interview with Winslow.

The winners of each party primary will face off in the general campaign, with the general election to be held on June 25.