Large Vote Predicted In Tight Local Races

With fair weather predicted for all of Massachusetts, as many as 2,250,000 of the 2,670,000 registered voters are expected to turn out at the polls today for the presidential and tight gubernatorial races.

President Eisenhower holds a slight edge over Adlai Stevenson but a strong showing by Stevenson in Boston coupled with small gains in the west of the state might be enough to swing the 16 electoral votes into the Democratic column.

The gubernatorial race lines up much the same way with Republican Sumner G. Whittier resting his hopes on an Eisenhower victory. Foster Furcolo is a very slight favorite, but Whittier can win if the President retains his 1952 plurality of over 200,000 votes. Furcolo's chances depend heavily on carrying his home area, the western part of the state, because his voting power in Boston may be hampered by his Italian name.

Gibbons v. Murphy

In other local races, it seems to be a toss-up between Republican Charles Gibbons and his opponent Robert Murphy for the post of Lieutenant Governor. In the contest for Attorney General, incumbent Republican George Fingold must rule the slight favorite over Boston City Councillor Edward J. McCormack. However, the Democrat has the support of Senator Kennedy, a strong voice in state politics, and his uncle, House Majority Leader John W. McCormack.

In the races for Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and State Auditor, Democratic incumbents Edward J. Cronin, John F. Kenney (not to be confused with the Senator), and Thomas J. Buckley respectively are favored to hold their seats unless there is a Republican landslide.

Congressional Races

Democrats also hope to gain additional seats in the battle to control the State House and Senate. They want to win control of the House, and keep control of the Senate to be able to redistrict the state to insure future Democratic victories.

In Congressional elections, Torbert Macdonald, Democrat, is favored in the 8th district, and incumbent Laurence Curtis is given the edge over Jackson Holtz in the 10th district.