Ex-SEAL Gomez wins GOP US Senate primary in Mass.

Businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez on Tuesday won the Republican nomination to run in the state's special election for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by John Kerry.

Unofficial returns showed Gomez defeating former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and state Rep. Daniel Winslow.

In the June 25 special election, Gomez will face the winner of the Democratic primary between U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey. Results from that contest hadn't been tallied yet when Gomez won.

Gomez is a newcomer to politics. He's the son of Colombian immigrants and learned English in kindergarten. He became a Navy pilot and SEAL, earned an MBA at Harvard and launched a private equity career.

The special election will be the state's second for the U.S. Senate in four years. Turnout was light for the primary, which was overshadowed by the deadly Boston Marathon bombing.

17 January 2013

Dear Governor Patrick:

I respectfully submit my name for consideration as the interim replacement for Senator John F. Kerry’s US. Senate seat. Appointing a moderate Republican Would Set a national example of sorely needed bipartisanship and would reinforce your growing national reputation for bold and thoughtful leadership. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how the following reasons may warrant your consideration.

As background (please also see attached a short chronology of my life), l am a proud resident of Massachusetts. I am a first generation American whose parents were born and raised in Colombia. Spanish is my first language since my mother was not yet fluent in English when I was born. I graduated from the US. Naval Academy in 1987 with a BS. in Systems Engineering (with Merit) and eamed my Navy pilot wings in 1989. As a Navy pilot, I flew off aircraft carriers until 1991. I then volunteered and was selected for Navy SEAL training (BUD/s - Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL) and was Class Leader of BUD/s Class 181. 1 am one of only two people to have ever been both a Navy aircraft carrier pilot and then a Navy SEAL. [was a platoon commander at SEAL Team FOUR until 1996.

After completing my Navy service commitment, I attended and graduated from Harvard Business School in 1997. After graduation, I was a mergers and acquisitions professional at the boutique investment banking firm Bowles Hollowell Connor (founded by Erskine Bowles) and a private equity professional in Boston at both Summit Partners and 110w Advent International. I am married to Sarah H. Gomez who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the West Indies and then a Special Education teacher (we actually met while she Was a Peace Corps volunteer and l was deployed as a SEAL platoon commander in the West Indies). We have four children - Olivia (l3), Zander (11), Antonia (10), and Max (8) and we live in Cohasset, Massachusetts.

I fully understand that naming a moderate Republican like me would be completely unconventional. However, given the partisan and acrimonious atmosphere in the US. Senate today, this is even more of a reason to consider appointing a moderate Republican with my background. I supported President Obama in 2008. I strongly believe this appointment would be good for the Democrats as well since it is in everyone’s interest to have two parties at the table negotiating. Admittedly, the Republican Party could benefit from another moderate, diverse voice like mine and I can be a practical and symbolic first step toward bringing the two parties closer together. I have a strong desire to serve again, do my time, help move things along and then leave that post to who the people of Massachusetts choose in the special election in which I would not get involved. This is a rare opportunity with a potentially nan-ow window where someone with my background can make a positive impact on these main issues that is ultimately good for the country.

Below are summary points ofwhy I think this is a positive and viable idea:

With your leadership, Massachusetts could provide a shining national example of how our country can overcome the partisan atmosphere in DC, which has reached a point (been this way for quite a while) where the two sides unfortunately do not even come to the table to discuss reasonable solutions on any issues This appointment would be the ultimate demonstration of bipartisanship.
Two main issues that will dominate the political discussion during this appointment will be Immigration Reform and Gun Control. Given my Latino and Navy SEAL background, I have credibility to contribute thoughtfully on these issues. I support the positions that President Obama has taken on these issues and you can be assured I will keep my word and work on these issues as I have promised.
This ultimate bipartisan move by the Democratic Party would be a catalyst for getting something done on these two main issues in a bipartisan way. This is what the American people want to see happen – both sides working together and things getting done.
This high profile appointment will generate national attention and Senators from both parties would be hard-pressed to ignore your bold leadership. Such a bipartisan appointment of a Latino, Navy Veteran, and businessman would be a terrific boost for the diversity of our Massachusetts delegation
This is a temporary appointment and the Democrats control the-Senate 5 5-45, so this presents no risk to the Senate majority.
You would be inserting a Navy man into a seat that is currently held by a Navy veteran (minor point, but there really does need to be more representation of veterans in Congress and the Senate)

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please let me know what other information you require. 1 am avaiiable at your convenience.

Very respectfully,

Gabriel E. Gomez

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