Sixth man: Moulton or Tisei

LYNN – Polls opened at 7 a.m. today and close at 8 p.m. with voters – including 50,000 registered in Lynn – picking a new Massachusetts governor and deciding the 6th District congressional contest pitting Democrat Seth Moulton against Republican Richard Tisei.?I?ve never missed an election day in my lifetime since Eisenhower,” said 83-year-old Lynn resident Bob Bowe as he shook hands with Tisei Monday in Greater Lynn Senior Services? Silsbee Street center.Tisei said his state legislative experience means – if the voters decide in his favor – he “can hit the ground running” in Congress. Moulton told nearly 200 Democrats gathered around him on Munroe Street Monday that his election represents a chance for him to work in Congress on Lynn?s behalf.?We all know this is a close election but we have so much work to do to ensure this city?s future is brighter than its past,” he said.Tisei said he has a better chance helping Lynn if he is elected to become a Republican freshman in Congress. “I can do more as a member of the majority party,” Tisei said.Independent Chris Stockwell?s name is also on the ballot.Today is Tisei?s second chance to ask voters to send him to Washington. In 2012, he narrowly lost to U.S. Rep. John Tierney. Moulton, in his first run for public office, beat Tierney in September, handing the Democratic incumbent a defeat after 18 years in office.With barely 3,000 Republicans registered to vote in Lynn, according to mid-October city voter registration statistics, Election Day means Moulton and Tisei must battle for 24,000 registered Democrats? votes and 23,000 unenrolled voters? ballots.During a campaign season that began last spring and heated up in the summer, Tisei underscored his small business experience as the owner of Lynnfield-based Northrup Associates Realtors. He pledged to push for a tax credit for businesses hiring new employees and said his record as a state representative and state senator proves he can work with Democrats and Republicans.During campaign appearances, Moulton said his four tours of duty in Iraq taught him leadership skills. Both men campaigned in Lynn, but Moulton on the night he defeated Tierney in September pledged to lead the city?s economic revival. As the campaigning reached the finish line last week, he said he will work to bring Blue Line rapid transit to the city.Tisei said he will let the city?s residents tell him their concerns and the priorities they want him to work on. Both men found common ground on the need to repeal a medical-device excise tax they said hurts area businesses, but they split on campaign finances and the Affordable Care Act, with each candidate accusing the other of raising campaign money outside the district.Tisei ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2010 along with Swampscott resident Charles D. Baker Jr., who hopes to win the governor?s office today in a ballot battle against Democrat Attorney General Martha Coakley. United Independent candidate Evan Falchuk is also running for governor along with Independent Scott Lively and Jeff McCormick.Lieutenant governor candidates include Democrat Steven Kerrigan, Republican Karyn Polito, United Independent Angus Jennings and Independents Shelly Saunders and Tracy Post.In the attorney general?s race to succeed Coakley, Democrat Maura Healey faces Republican John B. Miller. Democrat Deb Goldberg is running for state treasurer opposed by Republican Michael Heffernan and Green-Rainbow candidate Ian Jackson.The state auditor?s race pits Democrat Suzanne Bump against Republican Patricia Saint Aubin and Green-Rainbow candidate M.K. Merelice. Secretary of State William Galvin is on the ballot with Republican David D?Arcangelo and Green-Rainbow candidate Daniel Factor.U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey is being challenged by Republican Brian Herr and Independent Bruce Skarin and Governor?s Councilor Terrence W. Kennedy of Lynnfield is being challenged by Republican Vincent Dixon.Several Democratic incumbents are unoppos