Massachusetts Democrat Martha Coakley is battling a tight race against Republican Charlie Baker for the gubernatorial post this coming midterm elections.

This is the second election that Coakley is trying to win after unexpectedly losing her senatorial bid last 2010. Critics say she might face the same struggle now.

Like Us on Facebook

Current polls show there is a close competition between Coakley, who is the state's attorney general, and Republican Businessman Charlie Baker.

According to the latest poll of the Boston Globe and SocialSphere, Baker actually has a solid 9-point lead compared to Coakley.

However, Coakley's team of advisers finds the polls troubling. Doug Rubin, Coakley's chief adviser, said the poll results confirm that the gubernatorial election is tight and competitive.

Rubin also added that Baker has a growing advantage over the dominant voting group in Massachusetts in reference to the independents.

Jeffrey M. Berry, a professor at Tufts University who teaches politic science, weighed in on the Coakley-Baker race and said that voters think that Baker will do a better job in handling the state's economy because of his cabinet experience.

Baker served two Republican governors and was a former healthcare executive.

The people of Massachusetts have become comfortable with Baker, which gives him a substantial fundraising lead over Coakley, Berry adds.

Coakley lost the senatorial race back in 2010. Some of the reasons why she lost include calling former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling a "Yankee fan" and appearing to ridicule voters shaking hands with her outside Fenway Park. Republican Scott Brown defeated her in her electoral bid.

Coakley is now banking on her personal life being exposed to the public. She has talked about her brother's suicide and has campaigned with her husband who was a police officer.

However, Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh pointed out that Coakley's biggest problem is not her performance, but political campaign finance.

Marsh said that although the Clintons continue to campaign for her, she only had US$300,000 on hand as of October as opposed to the US$1.2 million of Baker.

Both Baker and Coakley have the same views regarding social issues and even supporting gay marriage and abortion rights.

TagsSocial Issues, politics, Martha Coakley, Massachusetts