The Associated Press projects that Scott Brown (R) has won election as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, defeating Martha Coakley (D). Coakley conceded the race to Brown at about 9:20 p.m. EST.
The Senate seat in contention was vacated by the late Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and has been held by Democrats since 1953. Brown would be the only Republican in the entire Congressional delegation from Massachusetts, generally regarded as one of the most liberal states in the union. This unexpected Republican win breaks a 60-vote ‘filibuster-proof’ Democratic super-majority in the Senate.
This special election has been widely regarded as a referendum the policies of President Barack Obama (D) and the unpopular health care reform bills working their way through Congress.