Democrat Elizabeth Warren framed her election to the Senate in historical terms, invoking liberal lion Sen. Ted Kennedy in a victory speech delivered to a raucous crowd in Boston.
Warren defeated Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) in a key win for Democrats, coming out on top in one of the highest-profile races in the nation.
In her victory speech, Warren noted the historic circumstances of her election: she is the first female Senator ever elected in Massachusetts. She also touted the record-breaking number of small donors who contributed to her campaign, and said her volunteers had knocked on more doors "than any Senate race in Massachusetts history.
"Let me be clear: I didn't build that — you built that," she said, bringing back a line from her campaign that had been echoed to some controversy by President Obama in his reelection bid.
And she thanked on all the key constituents that helped elect her: women, the elderly, young people and working-class families overall.
"This victory belongs to you. You did this!" Warren said to cheers from the crowd.
She pledged to bring equal pay to women, protect veterans' rights and Medicare and Social Security benefits for seniors and, to small-business owners, she promised to "hold the big guys accountable."
And though her contest against Brown was hard-fought, with the two trading jabs over Warren's proclaimed Native American heritage and Brown's voting record, Warren took a conciliatory tone toward her former opponent, thanking him for his service.
To Brown supporters, she pledged: "I know I didn't earn your vote, but I promise, I'm going to work to earn your support."
In closing, Warren noted that Kennedy, a political icon in Massachusetts, was elected 50 years prior, and promised that she would serve in his image.
"Fifty years ago, he said that he would dedicate all his strength and will to serve you in the United States Senate. For 47 years, he lived up to that promise. Tonight, I pledge to do the same," she said.
