Brown Kicks Off U.S. Senate Bid

Scott Brown is officially a candidate for U.S. Senate in the Live Free Or Die state.

Brown, the former Massachusetts senator now living in Rye, kicked off his campaign in Portsmouth, across the river from where he was born at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine.

Brown emphasized his family's roots in his announcement speech before calling U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) a "rubber stamp" for President Obama and the deciding vote for the Affordable Care Act.

"Live Free or Log On," said Brown, with spin on the state's motto. "In New Hampshire, guess what, we like our freedom."

Brown referenced the rocky roll-out of Obamacare, the narrow provider network in New Hampshire (just Anthem), and those hospitals not included in that network. And he said, Obamacare has yet to take full effect, particularly for businesses.

"There's another wave coming and it's going to be a big wave folks," Brown said. "Let me be the one to stop it for you."

Brown, who was introduced by former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu, accused Shaheen of being the shepherd for Obama's agenda, notably his landmark legislation, the Affordable Care Act. Sununu said Brown has the right stuff to become the 51st Republican in the U.S. Senate, which would shift majority control to the GOP.

As Brown toured New Hampshire ahead of his announcement, he revisited a line that he is an independent voice for taxpayers. It's a familiar narrative in New Hampshire, where the largest bloc of registered voters is neither Republicans nor Democrats, but undeclared voters.

"I am nobody's yes man," he said, promising to answer only to the people of New Hampshire, if elected.

The state primary is Sept. 9 and the GOP field now consists of Brown, Jim Rubens, Bob Smith, and Karen Testerman.

Shaheen Campaign Manager Mike Vlacich released a statement after Brown officially jumped into the race.
 
"If Scott Brown gets through the Republican primary, this election will be a choice between someone who cares only about himself and the big corporate interests that fund his campaign and someone who works every day to make a difference for New Hampshire families," Vlacich said. "New Hampshire voters know Jeanne Shaheen shares their values."