Costly special senate election

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Massachusetts' special Senate election is coming up soon, but unfortunately it's coming with a large price tag taxpayers may have to help pay.

State Auditor Suzanne Bump estimated that it will cost cities and towns here in the Commonwealth nearly $8.3 million to run both the primary and final elections--which are set for April 30th and June 25th.

The state however must reimburse local communities for some of the money. Secretary of State William Galvin said he plans to ask for an appropriation of at least $5.2 million to cover the costs; that leaves a balance of roughly $3 million that will be spread out amongst taxpayers.

The following names are the candidates you will be seeing on the Primary ballot:

DEMOCRATIC PARTY:

• Congressman Edward Markey
• Congressman Stephen Lynch

REPUBLICAN PARTY:

• State Rep. Daniel Winslow
• Gabriel Gomez, Cohasset businessman and former Navy SEAL
• Doug Bennett, Former Selectman
• Jon Fetherston, Former Selectman
• Sean Bielat, Former Congressional candidate

INDEPENDENT PARTY:

• Jackie E. Robinson

Nomination papers for all candidates, who are interested in filling Secretary of State John Kerry's former senate seat, are due in by February 28th.