Scott Brown

Scott Philip Brown (born September 12, 1959) is Republican Senator from Massachusetts. He defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in a special election on January 19, 2010, to complete the remainder of the term of Ted Kennedy, who died in office in August 2009. Until his election to the Senate, Brown has served almost three terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, three terms in the state Senate and served as a town selectman. Brown is a practicing attorney.

As the first Republican senator elected in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since the 1970s, Brown's unexpected election caused a major upset among Senate Democrats, who lost their filibuster-proof majority of 60 votes when Brown was sworn in.

He has identified as a moderate.

In April 2010, he declined to join Sarah Palin at a Tea Party Movement rally in Boston, Massachusetts. Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia said “He wants to mainstream himself before the election.” His office said he would be busy in Washington, but he applauds the “energy and enthusiasm” of Palin and the Tea Party.