Olympia Snowe endorses Scott Brown in Mass. Senate race

MassachusettsSen. Scott Brownhas picked up the endorsement of outgoingSen. Olympia Snowe, the Republican senator from Maine who last week scolded the chamber for becoming a “parrallel universe” of extreme partisanship.

The endorsement from Snowe, known as one of the Senate’s last moderates, could help Brown in his effort to win reelection nearly three years after he swept into office on the tea party wave. Anticipating a challenge from consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren, Brown has been campaigning as “an independent voice.”

In her endorsement statement, Snowe echoed the slogan, praising Brown for his “independent spirit and bipartisan outlook.”

“Like me, he approaches each issue with an open mind and is always willing to reach across the aisle to build bridges and find common ground,” Snowe said in a statement posted to Brown’s campaign website. “As I leave the Senate, it is my deep hope that this institution and America will continue to benefit from the thoughtful leadership of Scott Brown and others who favor progress over partisanship.”

A recent study by Congressional Quarterly found merit to the claim. The study ranked Brown as the second most bipartisan senator, behind Maine’s Susan Collins, also a Republican. Snowe ranked third.

Snowe has served as “an example to those of us who prefer bridge building over rock throwing,” Brown said in a statement.

“I’m committed to honoring her legacy by finding common purpose with anyone of goodwill, regardless of party, to address the serious challenges facing our nation,” he said.

kim.geiger@latimes.com

Original source: Olympia Snowe endorses Scott Brown in Mass. Senate race