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Massachusetts Governor Race 2018: Baker vs. Gonzalez

BOSTON — Numbers don't matter, according to Jay Gonzalez, who told Boston 25 News he's ready to surprise everyone with an upset.

With every hand Gonzalez shakes, he's hoping he's securing a vote.

"I’m feeling great, every single person we talked to in there, who’s voting here in mass said they either voted for me, or are voting for me," said Gonzalez.

It's been an uphill climb for Gonzalez, who has trailed throughout the race in polling and been heavily outspent by the incumbent. In fact, the $2.25 million spent by Baker's campaign during the second half of October was more than the $2.18 million Gonzalez had raised throughout his entire campaign, according to the most recent state campaign finance records.

Baker says victory isn't a guarantee but says he hopes his bipartisan approach will resonate at the polls.

"Given the state of our economy and how things are going, I think we are in a pretty good place," said Baker. "The biggest challenge in public life these days and is to focus on the common ground and not on the stuff that divides us."

In debates, Gonzalez has pointed to Baker's endorsement — albeit tepid — of Diehl and other pro-Trump candidates sharing the Republican ticket with him in Massachusetts. Baker has said only that he is keeping his promise to endorse fellow GOP candidates.

The Democrat has also attempted to chip away at Baker's edge by labeling the Republican a "status quo" governor while positioning himself as a reformer. He's advocated for major investments in public transportation and education and backed a single-payer health care system.

Baker and state Republicans have, in turn, questioned how Gonzalez would pay for his initiatives, especially after the state's highest court struck down a proposed 4 percent surtax on the state's highest earners.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.