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Republican Group Plans to Challenge Scott Brown

When Scott Brown was surging toward victory in the United States Senate race in Massachusetts in 2009, he earned the support — and money — of the National Republican Trust. But perhaps no more. The National Journal reports that the group, which spent $95,000 to help elect Mr. Brown in a special election last year, will work to defeat him in the state’s Republican primary next year.

When Scott Brown was surging toward victory in the United States Senate race in Massachusetts in 2009, he earned the support — and money — of the National Republican Trust.

But perhaps no more.

The National Journal reports that the group, which spent $95,000 to help elect Mr. Brown in a special election last year, will work to defeat him in the state’s Republican primary next year.

“We believe the Democrats’ policies are destroying the country. Why let them take a Republican vote with them?” Scott Wheeler, the group’s leader, told National Journal last week.

Mr. Brown is likely to face a tough re-election battle in a liberal state. And some of his votes with Democrats last year, including approval of the New Start treaty with Russia, have angered conservatives.

Fund-raising, however, has not been a challenge for Mr. Brown, who has already stockpiled millions of dollars for his re-election campaign.

The freshman senator is also starting a book tour for his memoir, “Against All Odds: My Life of Hardship, Fast Breaks, and Second Chances.” The book will be published in February.

This article “Republican Group Plans to Challenge Scott Brown” originally appeared at The New York Times.

© 2010 The New York Times Company

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