Brown's win signals shift in politics

BOSTON (WWLP) - It was a historic win for the Republican Party and Scott Brown in Tuesday's special election -- making way for a seismic shift in Bay State politics.

Massachusetts voters sent a clear message to the White House about health care reform and the economy in the election to fill the late Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat.

Brown was declared the winner after he beat out Democratic candidate Attorney General Martha Coakley.

It was a punishing defeat for Democrats across the country. Massachusetts has been considered Democratic territory for decades.

The win also gives Republicans the crucial 41st vote needed to filibuster bills, such as the President’s health care legislation, in the Senate.

Many Bay State residents who expressed anger over the health care debate and the struggling economy voted for Brown.

“One thing is very, very clear as I travelled throughout the state. People do not want the trillion-dollar health care plan that's been forced on the American people. This bill is not being debated openly and fairly,” Brown said at his victory part Tuesday night.

President Obama called Brown to congratulate Brown on his victory.

Meanwhile, Coakley's campaign filed complaints of possible ballot inaccuracies. The Secretary of State’s office discounted the reports of voter irregularities, saying reports could not be verified or found to be widespread.

Voter turnout was reportedly 41 percent -- double the usual turnout for a special election.