senator elect scott brown
Democrats lose filibuster proof Senate majority in Massachusetts
Boston, MA -
Republican State Senator Scott Brown has upset Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) in the special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat held for 46 years by the late Edward M. Kennedy (1932-2009).
With a 52% - 47% margin for Brown and 84% of precincts reporting, Coakley has conceded and major news agencies have called the race. While Massachusetts is generally considered to be an overwhelmingly Democrat state, independents make up more than 50% of the electorate.
Brown is the first Republican U.S. Senator to be elected from the Bay State since 1972.
As recently as three weeks ago, Brown trailed Coakley by 30 percentage points in polls. Concerns about health care reform and the status quo amongst the electorate brought out an unprecedented turnout by voters today.
Blame is being fired at the White House, Democratic National Committee and the Coakley campaign for a failure to address voters concerns and interests.
An extraordinary recent upsurge in Brown's polling numbers prompted major Democrats including President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton to come to the aid of Coakley.
This is the fourth major campaign defeat for Obama as his stumping for the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races and the Chicago Olympics bid fell flat with sound defeats.
LGBT issues currently in front of Congress, as well as health care reform, are now in jeopardy as Republicans in the Senate now have the votes to derail Democratic referendums.
With a 52% - 47% margin for Brown and 84% of precincts reporting, Coakley has conceded and major news agencies have called the race. While Massachusetts is generally considered to be an overwhelmingly Democrat state, independents make up more than 50% of the electorate.
Brown is the first Republican U.S. Senator to be elected from the Bay State since 1972.
As recently as three weeks ago, Brown trailed Coakley by 30 percentage points in polls. Concerns about health care reform and the status quo amongst the electorate brought out an unprecedented turnout by voters today.
Blame is being fired at the White House, Democratic National Committee and the Coakley campaign for a failure to address voters concerns and interests.
An extraordinary recent upsurge in Brown's polling numbers prompted major Democrats including President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton to come to the aid of Coakley.
This is the fourth major campaign defeat for Obama as his stumping for the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races and the Chicago Olympics bid fell flat with sound defeats.
LGBT issues currently in front of Congress, as well as health care reform, are now in jeopardy as Republicans in the Senate now have the votes to derail Democratic referendums.
