Significance of the Mass. Senate race

BOSTON, Mass., (WPRI) - The results of Tuesday’s Senate race could dramatically impact the White House's domestic agenda, affecting not only the people of Massachusetts and Washington D.C., but Rhode Island and the rest of the country.

Despite the gloomy weather, the Secretary of State's Office said as many as half of the states registered voters are turning out in what has turned out to be an historic race; Democrat Martha Coakley against Republican Scott Brown, and in a state that is 87-percent Democrat or Independent, a lot has changed in three months.

"I think what it shows, is, you can't take any election for granted in Massachusetts probably or anywhere around the country these days," said Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.

A Democrat has represented the bay state in Washington for more than forty years. Just three months ago, Coakley had a double digit lead over Brown. The GOP said this race is a referendum on healthcare and if Brown pulls off the upset, the Obama administration will lose their 60 vote majority in the Senate; possibly sinking the president's health care plan.

"We want to send Washington a signal. No more monarchy reign from on high," said Former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney.

And that signal could be heard during the midterm elections in November, when control of Congress will be at stake. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the health care bill will pass no matter what happens in Massachusetts. Congressman Patrick Kennedy's office will be issuing a statement after the polls close.