Plymouth: A Swing Town, A Trail's End

SMACK IN THE MIDDLE of Massachusetts' 10th Congressional District is Plymouth, a sprawling South Coast town that spans more land mass than any other community in the state.

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Source: Dept. of Revenue, October 2010
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Politically, it's purple — a toss-up — having voted red for Republican Mitt Romney in the 2002 governor's race, then blue for Democrat Deval Patrick in the 2006 race — and then Republican again for Scott Brown in January's special Senate election. Those recent elections have turned this once-solidly Democratic district into something much less predictable.

Of all of Massachusetts' districts, the 10th gave Brown his largest margin over Martha Coakley — more than 60 percent of the vote. And so though Democrats have held the congressional seat since 1983, Republicans think they can carry the district. It's an open seat and — between Democrat Bill Keating and Republican Jeff Perry — an even race.

In a post-Brown state and purple town, what issues are important to Plymouth voters? And how will they vote this year?

Tailing 10th district voters as they trick-or-treated Halloween night, WBUR’s David Boeri found an omen in a reliably Democratic neighborhood — and it reminds him of the Grim Reaper. WBUR's David Boeri reports.

To dig into voter anxieties here in Plymouth, WBUR spent some time with what you might call a “typical middle class family” and a small business owner. WBUR's Bob Oakes and Kirk Carapezza report.

Across the state, frustrated voters say this an important election, but the candidates aren’t up for the job.. WBUR's Bianca Vazquez Toness reports.

In this four-way field that is the governor’s race, both the major party candidates crisscrossed the state in one final push this weekend. WBUR's Fred Thys and Anthony Brooks report.

Republican challenger Sean Bielat stressed American values to energetic supporters, while Democratic Rep. Barney Frank spent the weekend touting his record to quieter gatherings. WBUR's Deb Becker reports.

As candidates staged rallies around Massachusetts in a last hurrah to drum up support, supporters and opponents of the three state ballot questions took a less flashy approach. WBUR's Curt Nickisch reports.

WBUR journalists compiled the gubernatorial candidates' positions on jobs, health care, education, immigration and the three ballot questions.

The two leading candidates for governor embarked on statewide bus tours in the final weekend before Election Day. See where they traveled and photos along the trail.

WBUR photojournalists are following the candidates as they travel across Massachusetts. Keep checking back for new images in this continuously updated photo gallery.