“During my time in the state legislature, I have stood up to the Beacon Hill agenda of higher taxes and spending, never voting for a tax increase... and I look forward to continuing the fight against higher taxes and spending in the Massachusetts State Senate.”

From Eric Dondero:

There was a little noticed special election on Tuesday in Massachusetts. But in one important way the race had national ties. It was for newly-elected US Senator Scott Brown's former State Senate seat.

The race was by no means assured for the GOP. Brown's district had always been "swing," at best, and in registration totals "lean Democrat."

But the GOP scored a big win.

The Milford Daily News offered an analysis:

Boston — Rep. Richard Ross’s drubbing of Peter Smulowitz in the May 11 special election to fill the seat U.S. Sen. Scott Brown held until February sustained momentum and enthusiasm for Massachusetts Republicans, but left questions about its significance.

Perhaps most significantly, it was tough to read where the 24-point landslide fit into the two dominant strains of conventional political wisdom this year: whether it was a validation of Republican assertions that the electoral tides are flowing their way, or a chink in the notion that voters are bloodthirsty for incumbent scalp...

Ross will now join Libertarian Republican State Senator Bob Hedlund of Weymouth, and 4 other Republicans in the Senate Caucus. Only 5 out of 40 Senators on Beacon Hill are Republican.

Ross received the enthusiastic endorsement of Citizens for Limited Taxation.

Francis J. Faulkner, Executive Director of CLT’s 2 ½ PAC said MassBeacon.com:

“Rep. Ross has also taken the taxpayer protection pledge. This pledge asks candidates to ‘oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes’. Signing the pledge means he is serious about not raising taxes and will focus instead on better management of state revenues.”