Washington scandals intrude on Mass. Senate race

BOSTON (AP) - The controversies swirling around the Obama administration are threatening to engulf Massachusetts' special U.S. Senate election.

Those include the IRS targeting of conservative groups and lingering questions about last year's terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya.

The troubles could make it harder for Republican candidate Gabriel Gomez to turn the focus of the race back to jobs, the economy and the budget as he tries to tie his rival, longtime Democratic Congressman Edward Markey, to the nation's sluggish recovery.

But the episodes could also prove problematic for Markey and other Democratic candidates if the public begins to blame President Barack Obama for the perceived overreach of the Democratic administration.

The special election to fill the Senate seat formerly held by Secretary of State John Kerry is June 25.

Cox Media Group