Special election set for Jan. 19

By Taryn Plumb
Turley Publications Reporter

REGION - Massachusetts’ residents will head to the polls Tuesday, Jan. 19 to vote in the special election to elect our next senator, who will take the seat held for 46 years by the late Edward M. Kennedy.
As a service to our readers the Town Common offers profiles of the three most prominent candidates: Republican Scott Brown, Democrat Martha Coakley and Libertarian candidate Joseph L. Kennedy (who is of no relation to Edward Kennedy). To read the full profiles pick up this week's Town Common.

In Sturbridge, voting takes place at Burgess Elementary School.
Remember to vote this Tuesday, Jan. 19!

Republican: Scott Brown

Don't just reflexively react to the “R” tacked on at the end of his name, Scott Brown urges.
Rather, look at his accomplishments, he says: From his 30-plus years dedicated to his community, to his six terms as a state legislator, to his success operating a small law firm, to his decades of military service.
“I'm hoping (voters) look at the entire package,” Brown, the Republican candidate vying for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s seat, said in a phone interview.
The current state senator, who hails from Wrentham and is a father of two daughters, supports a culture of family, patriotism and freedom.
But, while America is a great country, there are some challenges that need to be dealt with if it's going to remain that way, he said.
Namely, those issues are financial: The economy, national debt, government spending, and taxes.
A self-described free enterprise advocate, he said he believes that lower taxes can encourage economic growth – while on the other hand, raising taxes can stifle it, and also weaken the economy and increase unemployment.

Democrat: Martha Coakley

Editor’s note: Despite several attempts made by our reporter, Martha Coakley did not make herself available for a live interview with Turley Publications.

A long and well-known player in Massachusetts Democratic circles, Martha Coakley is now hoping to move to the national stage.
The former Middlesex District Attorney and current Massachusetts Attorney General, from Medford, has 20 years of experience in public service, having started her legal career in 1979.
During her eight years as District Attorney, Coakley established herself as a “passionate advocate for public safety,” according to a biography on her Web site.
During that time, she implemented an adult sexual assault division; oversaw the successful prosecution of a number of high-profile crimes (including sexual abuse cases against Catholic priests); pushed for enhanced DNA analysis capabilities; and advocated for stem cell research.
The democratic candidate vying for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s seat, she has made her stance clear on a number of hot button issues.
For starters, she supports comprehensive healthcare reform “now, because American cannot afford to wait,” according to a statement on her Web site. “The American health care system is broken and the time to fix it is now."

Libertarian: Joseph Kennedy

Joe Kennedy has no previous political experience – but he considers that an asset, rather than a liability.
That's because it's given him something his opponents don't have: Seventeen years experience in the financial services industry.
And that knowledge, he says, can give him an upper hand in dealing with vital statewide and nationwide issues – from the economy to taxes to government spending.
The Worcester native also likened himself to the legendary politician whose seat he hopes to fill and who shares his last name (but with whom he has no relation).
“What made Ted Kennedy an active voice of the people was his drive, and his drive wasn't based upon party politics, it was based upon listening to his constituents,” the tea party candidate, vying for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s seat, said in a phone interview. “I have no experience, but I have the same passion and drive, and I will bring that to the office.”
First and foremost, the economy must be dealt with, Kennedy contended.