Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Scott Brown Pulls Ahead in Mass. Senate Race

Republican leads Martha Coakley 50% to 46%

By Caroline Miller,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 15, 2010 6:38 AM CST | Updated Jan 15, 2010 7:46 AM CST

(Newser) – For the first time in the tumultuous race for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, Republican Scott Brown has pulled ahead in a major poll, beating Martha Coakley 50% to 46%. While Brown's lead in the Suffolk’s Political Research Center poll is still within the margin of error, it's a stunning upset for the Democrat, who was considered a shoo-in for the special election Tuesday, and a nightmare for the White House.

“It’s a massive change in the political landscape,” says Suffolk’s director, adding that modeling shows high numbers of independent voters turning out on Jan. 19, favoring Brown. If Brown wins, he will be poised to block the health-care reform bill the White House and congressional Dems are racing to push through, the measure the late Sen. Kennedy called "the cause of my life." In the poll, 51% of Massaschusetts voters said they oppose the “national near-universal health-care package” and 61% said it was to expensive.


GOP Senate candidate Scott Brown, at the Omni Parker House in Boston, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, accepting the support of a group of veterans in the special election Tuesday, Jan 19.
GOP Senate candidate Scott Brown, at the Omni Parker House in Boston, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, accepting the support of a group of veterans in the special election Tuesday, Jan 19.   (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
Republican senatorial candidate Scott Brown, speaks during a news conference  in Marlborough, Mass., Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, where Brown received the endorsement of the State Police Association of Massachusetts and the State Police Commissioned Officers Association.
Republican senatorial candidate Scott Brown, speaks during a news conference in Marlborough, Mass., Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, where Brown received the endorsement of the State Police Association of Massachusetts...   (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
Candidate for the U.S. Senate seat left empty by the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., Democrat Martha Coakley takes questions from reporters during a campaign stop at the Joseph Abboud clothing factory, in New Bedford, Mass., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. Mayor of New Bedford Scott W. Lang...
Candidate for the U.S. Senate seat left empty by the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., Democrat Martha Coakley takes questions from reporters during a campaign stop at the Joseph Abboud clothing...   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
7%
0%
19%
66%
7%
1%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 42 comments
NewserScooter
Jan 16, 2010 8:23 AM CST
The one problem with that line of logic, is that Big Pharma is pumping money left and right in to her race. Nevertheless I suspect that you are right and this poll is worthless.
NewserScooter
Jan 16, 2010 8:20 AM CST
Ahh DJ I assure you that I have a face!
NewserScooter
Jan 16, 2010 8:19 AM CST
Mail ballots and absentee are also at all time highs. These are felt to break for Brown. Of course I still can't fathom his winning, but it will be a hoot if he does!

More Newser Stories

Mass. Election Could Seal Fate of Health Reform

Republican Rakes In $1.3M in Race for Kennedy Seat

Mass. Senate Race Becomes Referendum on Health Bill

'Drunk' Voters: What Happened Last Night?

Dems Could Actually Lose Kennedy Seat


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne