In epic upset, GOP's Brown wins Mass. Senate race

BOSTON -- In an epic upset in liberal Massachusetts, Republican Scott Brown rode a wave of voter anger to defeat Democrat Martha Coakley in a U.S. Senate election Tuesday that left President Barack Obama's health care overhaul in doubt and marred the end of his first year in office.

Brown spent the night watching the votes come in at Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel.

The room exploded when Brown’s daughter Ayla made the announcement that Martha Coakley had conceded over the phone to her father.

The loss by the once-favored Coakley for the seat that the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy held for nearly half a century signaled big political problems for the president's party this fall when House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates are on the ballot nationwide.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney had some words about what Brown’s victory means for the state of Massachusetts and the nation as a whole.

“I think the Democrats, in changing the rules as to the way senators are appointed or elected are wishing they did things differently...Tonight, in part because of their error, and if you will, their political arrogance, you’re seeing the people say...enough of that, we want an individual who will represent us, not represent the special interests,” said Romney.

More immediately, Brown will become the 41st Republican in the 100-member Senate, which could allow the GOP to block the president's health care legislation and the rest of Obama's agenda. Democrats needed Coakley to win for a 60th vote to thwart Republican filibusters.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)