Scott Brown - Mass Senate -Image: sunchronicle
From The Boston Globe: Massachusetts State Senator, Scott Brown, will announce today, if he will run for the U.S. Senate Seat left vacant with the passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy. Brown conducted a survey on Facebook over the weekend, asking for input across the State; the responses, from a variety of Party affiliations, was extremely positive – Therefore, it is more than probable that Brown will enter the race today, if positive feedback is any indication.
The other contenders (mainly speculation) that will face off in a primary on December 9th; to date are Martha Oakley and Joe Kennedy has opted out of the race, as of today. On the Republican side, , Jeff Beatty and Jim Godowsky have been mentioned,(both ran against Kerry in 2008) as well as Michael Sullivan, former U.S. Attorney, and Chris Egan, a former U.S. Ambassador, Andrew Card, former State Representative, and Bob Barr, a Canton Selectman. Curt Shilling, baseball player, and independent is also considering a run for the Senate. Currently, Coakley is the only one who has officially announced her intent to run.
Out of that lofty field of politico’s, Brown is the only one who has current legislative experience, as a Massachusetts State Senator. Brown also offers his constituents the transparency that is often not delivered. He also writes monthly newsletters which are emailed to constituents, as well as legislative updates on his personal website: Scott Brown.com His State Legislative website, , is more of a legislative resume and offers some insight into his role in the Massachusetts Senate.
Brown is known as a fiscal conservative, and social moderate, should one take the time to investigate his voting record, he appears to listen to the concerns of his constituents, without divorcing himself from the reality of his position as a citizen legislator, hired by the people - not your typical east coast elitist. Based upon his past experience, and performance, his willingness to communicate with his constituents, Scott Brown gives the voters a solid option to Martha Coakley (which, as of this writing, it would appear that Coakley and Brown would be the two strongest candidates coming out of a primary on the 8th of December. The special election is slated for the 19th of January.
As for Coakley, she may be perceived as a member of the Patrick administration, which will likely translate into a three-fold burden in a general election: one, the aforementioned association with Deval Patrick. Secondly, the Democrat brand is damaged - even in Massachusetts (see current Polling at Real Clear Politics 2009 and 2010 races), nationwide polling suggests that Republican’s or Independent Candidates stand to best their Democrat counterparts as of this moment (polling and perception are subject to change).
Additionally, and much to this writers angst, women in Massachusetts general elections do not, historically, fare well – the last to run was Democrat Shannon O’Brien, who lost to Mitt Romney in 2004. Jane Swift, a Republican, held the seat as an Acting Govenor, not elected. Kerry Healey was the last women to run (against Deval Patrick), and lost by a significant margin (most of that attributed to negative campaign ads and a bad Republican Brand.)
Therefore, if the race boils down to a Coakley/Brown general election, Browns experience and ability to connect with constituents, a stronger Republican (or Conservative is more appropriate) brand given the majority of Massachusetts voters are designated unenrolled), would, in all likelihood, best Coakley in any match up.
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