FITCHBURG, Mass. — Concern surrounding the legislation that Edward M. Kennedy devoted his Senate career to — the expansion of health care coverage — is emerging as a contentious issue in a race that will determine Tuesday who fills the seat left open by his death.
In a Democratic stronghold, the race has revealed a deep sense of voter unrest that many Democrats fear could portend trouble in other states. It also has given Republicans a shot at breaking the Democrats’ filibuster- proof Senate majority, potentially threatening health care legislation and the rest of President Barack Obama’s agenda — so much so that Obama is traveling to Massachusetts today to help state Attorney General Martha Coakley regain her footing.
“The health care has got me really worried,” said Jeanne Jekanowski, 76, who as a single mother raising eight children relied on welfare and faithfully voted Democratic, including a ballot for Coakley in last month’s primary.
On Tuesday, however, she plans to cast her vote for Scott Brown, a Republican state senator.
“I’m scared to death they’re going to reduce my Medicare,” Jekanowski said.
On Saturday, both candidates launched three-day tours of a state that polls show is almost evenly divided between them.
The wave of voter indignation carrying Brown toward Washington rises in part, according to voters, from a discomfort with one-party rule.
“You want to see things move forward. You don’t want things to sit still,” said Tom Worthley, 45, who strung a homemade sign for Brown in his front lawn. “But a healthy balance is what America’s about.”
The commonwealth of Massachusetts has grown more conservative as it has grown more suburban, said Thomas Whalen, a social sciences professor at Boston University. “They’ve moved to suburbs, they want lower taxes, better schools and less government in their lives,” he said.
But Democrats have continued to dominate the statehouse, producing a string a scandals that analysts say color the logrolling on health care. Three House speakers have resigned under clouds. Three senators also have resigned, with one going to jail.
“I think that voters want to send a message to Beacon Hill: Wise up, shape up, you’re taking us for granted,” Whalen said. “And Martha Coakley, who’s a straight arrow, may be an unfortunate victim of the voter angst.”
