A Fighting Chance

“father suffocate to death”: See Marc Larocque, “Sen. Scott Brown Suggests Warren Uses Actors in Asbestos Ads, Then Apologizes for Remarks,” Taunton Daily Gazette, October 17, 2012.

owner of the West End Gym in Lowell: Art Ramalho lives his values every day in the work he does for kids in Lowell. He and his gym were featured in The Fighter, a film by David O. Russell that starred Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. For more about his gym, see Karen Sackowitz, “Blood, Sweat, Cheers,” Boston Globe, June 10, 2010.

“moral objection” to such coverage: See Scott Brown, “Brown: Conscience Exemption Was a Matter of Fundamental Fairness,” Opinion, Taunton Gazette, March 2, 2012.

For the counterargument, see Laura Bassett, “Blunt Amendment Is ‘Desperate’ GOP Election Strategy, Senate Dems Say,” Huffington Post, February 24, 2012. Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and NOW organized their members on this issue, and they played a critical role in the fight against the Blunt Amendment and the ongoing fight for women’s reproductive rights. As a woman, a mother with a daughter, and a grandmother of two little girls, I am deeply grateful for their ongoing leadership in this important fight.

gone on the offense, attacking me: “(Warren) and her allies on the left are dictating to Catholics and other people of faith that they must do as they are told when it comes to health care or face the consequences, regardless of their personal religious beliefs,” Brown said in one fundraising e-mail. Steve LeBlanc, “Scott Brown, Elizabeth Warren Aim to Win Over Bay State Catholics,” Associated Press, October 25, 2012.

to rally the troops: Senator Mikulski was extraordinary. Her speech was energetic and focused on why we need more women in the Senate. She is the dean of the women senators, and she proved that she was also an effective campaigner to make sure the team of women gets bigger.

wowed the volunteers: When Ethel Kennedy showed up, many of our young volunteers felt like they had a chance to touch history. Ethel was living very much in the future and she wanted to help me win this seat. She drove home for everyone the importance of who represents you in the Senate.

whipped out their cameras: Adnaan Muslim managed our mailings, helping us reach people on a personal level. When women’s issues heated up, his enthusiasm, which always ran high, kicked into overdrive. Yeah, he was a guy’s guy, but he was the father of two beautiful little girls, and Adnaan was in this fight for their future too.

prolife groups that endorsed him: See Michael Levenson, “Brown Stresses Prochoice Stance as Abortion Foes Offer Backing,” Boston Globe, August 23, 2012. “We consider him a senator who votes prolife,” said Anne Fox, president of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life. “We have to take his word for it when he says he is prochoice. But what we’re looking for is someone who votes prolife, and he does.” Brown said he would not reject the backing of Massachusetts Citizens for Life but reiterated that he considers himself a supporter of abortion rights.

See also Shira Schoenberg, “National ProLife Group Sends Out Mailers Supporting Scott Brown, Who Is a ProChoice Republican,” MassLive, October 25, 2012.

And for more on Scott Brown’s stated prochoice stance, see Amanda Terkel, “Scott Brown ‘ProChoice’ Message Undermined by Mailer from Group Opposing Abortion Rights,” Huffington Post, October 25, 2012.

for the first time: On Election Day, Ted Kennedy’s sons, Patrick and Ted, came to deliver rousing get-out-the-vote speeches and add to the overall enthusiasm. It was so good to see them and for them to be part of this race.

up to the voters: We had lots of help on Election Day, including from dear friends who came in to help out as poll watchers. Former students, and now law professors, Melissa Jacoby and Katie Porter came to work. Katie and Matt Hoffman brought baby Betsy Ann along. Damon Silvers also came to poll watch, ably assisted by his daughter Rosie. There were more, but in the blur of the day, I’m afraid I lost sight of many of them.

an astonishing 73 percent: Noah Bierman, “Mass. Voter Turnout Sets Record at 73 Percent,” Boston Globe, November 27, 2012.

we raised $42 million: The Massachusetts race was the most expensive congressional race for spending by candidates only. When combined with outside spending, the most expensive congressional race was the Virginia 2012 race for Senate. See “Massachusetts, Virginia Senate Among 2012’s Most Expensive Races,” OpenSecrets.org, November 6, 2012, http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/11/massachusetts-virginia-senate-among.html. The Brown campaign spent $35 million, compared to $42 million for my campaign. http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/elections.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00031174&type=I.

$50 or less: Mindy Myers, “One Year Ago Today, We Made History,” Huffington Post (blog), November 6, 2013.