As a Republican candidate in a heavily Democratic state, U.S. Senate hopeful Scott Brown (LA '81) is casting himself as an independent thinker and a political outsider.
In a speech on Saturday announcing his candidacy, State Sen. Brown emphasized his distance from what he called "the Beacon Hill insider club" and promised that his commitment to his constituents would trump any ties to his political party or outside interests if he won the upcoming election.
"As your U.S. Senator, I still won't take my orders from the special interests or from Washington politicians who think they know better than us what's good for Massachusetts," Brown said. "I do not want to go to Washington to serve the interests of government. I want to serve the interests of the people of Massachusetts."
But Political Science Professor Jeffrey Berry said Brown would do well to shift gears and focus on his platform rather than his outsider status as a Republican.
"Brown is emphasizing the fact that the state has a complete, 100-percent Democratic contingent in Congress and telling voters we need diversity of thought in Washington," Berry said. "Most people want to vote for people that believe in what they believe in."
Brown is one of several candidates — most of the Democrats — vying for the seat vacated when Sen. Ted Kennedy passed away last month after occupying it for 47 years.
Brown has already won the backing of the Massachusetts Republican Party. Many of its members have commended his government service and tough stance against tax increases.
"I would call Brown an experienced and qualified individual with a great résumé as a leader in Boston and beyond, and a strong candidate for Senate," Massachusetts Republican Party spokesperson Tarah Donoghue told the Daily.
State Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei lauded Brown's service to his constituency and to Massachusetts at large. "Scott is dedicated to public service and is involved with government for all the right reasons, [specifically] the genuine desire to serve the public," Tisei told the Daily. "He is somebody who has done a great job for his district and for the state."
Brown represents the towns of Wellesley, Needham and Franklin, among others.
Brown outlined his core beliefs in his candidacy speech, but in subsequent interviews he has not elaborated on controversial issues. He denounces what he calls Congress' "out-of-control" spending, tax increases and big government, while warning against domination of a system by one party, specifically that of the Democrats in Massachusetts.
On the hot-button subject of health care, Brown rides the fence. "I believe that all Americans deserve health care, but we shouldn't have to create a new government option to provide it," he said.
Berry said that Brown must solidify his position on health care before he can hope to sway Massachusetts' many liberal voters.
"He hasn't forcefully articulated the Republican alternative to the Democratic program in Washington, and he needs to do so before it will have an effect," Berry said.
Massachusetts last elected a Republican to the Senate in 1972.
Berry believes that another obstacle for Brown is name recognition. In order to have a chance, the Tufts alum will have to step up state-wide advertising dramatically and immediately, according to Berry.
The professor contended that it will be an uphill battle for Brown to reach the level of fundraising already attained by some of his Democratic competitors. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, whose district includes Somerville, are aiming for million-dollar war chests.
"I'm going to be out-organized and out-spent by my better-funded opponents," he said. "I've faced long odds before and come out on top. With your help, we can do the same here."
But Donoghue, of the Republican Party, expressed optimism that voters would not default to a particular party. "As the race progresses, the voters of Massachusetts will be taking a fresh look at their representation in Washington," she said. "While Democrats think they may own this Senate seat and can handpick the next senator, the rest of us know that the seat belongs to the voters of Massachusetts."
