The better voters in Massachusetts get to know Gabriel Gomez, the less they like him.
Gomez's net favorability has dropped 6 points in last 2 weeks from +14 to now +8 at 42/34. From 33/32 to 20/52 w/D's:
http://t.co/...
— @ppppolls via web
That could have something to do with the revelation that he lives in a house worth more than $2 million and benefited from a big tax scam on that house to get a $281,500 income tax deduction for not making changes to his house that local bylaws already prevented him from doing. It could also have something to do with the fact that Gomez continues to refuse to explain that deduction. He might not be able to avoid talking about it for much longer, though, because it keeps making news.
The lastest comes from a small claims complaint filed by the original appraiser that Gomez hired to estimate the amount he could deduct from his taxes on the house. The appraiser says that Gomez refused his estimate, saying it was too low, and also refused to pay the $1,000 fee for the appraisal. The appraiser let it slide until now, when the news broke of the $281,500 deduction he got. At the time, he didn't know that Gomez was getting another appraisal, and that he ended up getting the deduction. This appraiser said the changes would only be worth $245,640. Gomez apparently really wanted that extra $35,860 in deductions.
For now, Gomez is still unwilling to address the tax scam with the media, refusing to answer any questions. A spokesman does say that Gomez is reaching out to the appraiser to resolve the issue, though the candidate is supposedly "not aware" of having stiffed the guy for his fee. Which really sounds like a typical rich asshole who can't be bothered with thinking about the people he hires to do stuff for him.
With this, and his disastrous, dismissive performance on women's health issues, Gomez isn't likely to gain many new supporters. Let's help Ed Markey capitalize on his opponent's mounting weaknesses, and put this race away.
Please donate $3 to Ed Markey.