As election day quickly approaches, the nation’s attention has been glued to Governor Romney, President Obama, and most recently Hurricane Sandy. But this November, contentious races in the Senate will also produce lasting effects on the power balance in Washington.
Virginia and Massachusetts are two states with Senate races to watch in this election. The race for U.S. Senator in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren may be one of the closest watched races in the country.
Outside groups have spent millions on the Massachusetts’ race, and a recent poll shows both candidates relatively close in the polls.
Warren and Brown were supposed to participate in a fourth and final debate this past Tuesday. The event would have been hosted by our partner, WGBH in Boston, but it was cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy.
In Virginia, Democratic Senator Jim Webb chose not to run again, leaving room for a tight race between two candidates well known in the state: former Democratic Governor Timothy Kaine and former Republican Governor George Allen.
Both men have distinguished records in the state, but remain staunchly divided by social issues.
Adam Reilly is WGBH’s political reporter and Wes Hester is a political reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.