Brown, Warren campaigns declare victory in debate

BOSTON (WWLP) - As the control of the Senate may be on the line, people across the country were watching Thursday night’s first debate between Massachusetts Republican Senator Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren.

From jobs to abortion rights to climate change, there were a variety of issues covered during the hour-long exchange on Boston’s WBZ-TV, and both camps considered it a win.

"I think Scott Brown won the night,” Brown’s campaign manager Jim Barnett said.

In a news release sent to 22News, Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh said that the debate showed Warren is fighting for middle class families, and that Brown advocates for powerful interests.

Warren herself, however, said that she would leave it up to the voters to decide who won. "I was just there to take what got thrown at me and try to introduce myself and talk about the issues,” she said.

Following the debate, Barnett answered questions on Brown’s behalf while the Senator and his wife, Gail Huff, did a radio interview. 22News tried to catch up with the Senator, but he drove off in his famous GMC pickup truck.

There were some questions earlier in the night over whether Senator Brown could make it to Boston from Washington in time. He arrived at the WBZ studios in Allston with about 40 minutes to spare.

"Scott Brown was determined to make it here and he did,” Barnett said.

Warren supporters lined the streets outside the station; most representing labor unions.

"The average worker, Elizabeth Warren is definitely with us,” one of the supporters said.

There were only a handful of Brown supporters, but they shook off being outnumbered.

"People honking horns for Scott Brown even though there are a lot of Warren signs out there, you don't hear any horns honking over there,” said a Brown supporter.

This was just the first of four planned television debates between the two candidates, one of those will be in Springfield.