The 411 on Massachusetts U.S. Senate candidates
By Heather Goldin, Staff Writer
@HeatherGoldin
With the election just around the corner, you can’t forget that there are other names on the ballot, including U.S. Senate candidates and district representatives. If you are registered to vote in Massachusetts, then on the ballot you will find candidates Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren. After the three widely viewed presidential debates, we should all have a pretty good idea of which name we are marking on the ballot for the president. But what about the senate representatives? If you didn’t pay attention in history class, senators are responsible for representing their respective states. For six years, the elected representatives speak for the people they represent and decide whether they are for or against newly proposed laws. So, who is the right representative for the job? Here’s the lowdown on each candidate to help you figure out which candidates’ bubble you’ll fill in on voting day.
Scott Brown
Party: Republican
On Education:
- Curriculum should be set by local boards rather than nationally
- Supports the “No Child Left Behind” program
On Healthcare:
- Wants to repeal Obamacare
- Believes that states should be able to create health care reform that works for them without raising taxes or cutting off senior care
On Jobs:
- Wants to reduce the burden of small businesses
- For hiring returning war veterans to decrease unemployment rate
- Wants to fund start-up companies
On Energy and the Environment:
- Supports policies that will help reduce pollution
- Supports development of alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on foreign oil
On Immigration:
- Wants to strengthen border enforcement and institute an employment verification system with consequences for hiring illegal immigrants
- Against driver’s licenses and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
On Women’s Issues:
- Supports abortion but is against taxpayers having to fund it
- Supports funding Planned Parenthood
- Against human trafficking
On Taxes:
- Wants to keep taxes low
Elizabeth Warren
Party: Democratic
On Education:
- Wants to invest more in public colleges and universities
- Supports advanced technical training programs
- Wants to strengthen grant programs
On Healthcare:
- Stands with Obamacare, but wants to reduce the cost of health care
On Jobs:
- Wants to increase jobs in small businesses and simplify small business regulations
- Supports workers unions
On Energy and the Environment:
- Wants to invest in clean energy technology to eventually lower production costs for businesses
On Immigration:
- Believes there should be a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants that requires them to pay taxes
- Supports existing laws with protecting borders and laws against hiring illegal immigrants
On Women’s Issues:
- Supports equal pay
- Wants to protect the current health care plan, which will in turn protect maternity care and safe abortion services
On Taxes:
- Believes in a tax reform to help small businesses