Brown kicks off campaign with anti-tax pledge

By Eric Moskowitz, Globe Staff

NEEDHAM -- Standing before a "Jobs are Job One" banner, Republican Scott Brown began the first day of the general election campaign by signing a pledge not to raise taxes and challenging Democratic nominee Martha Coakley to do the same.

At a press conference at his headquarters, the state senator drew several contrasts between himself and Coakley, saying she supports policies that will make it hard for Massachusetts taxpayers and businesses to recover from the recession. Brown cited the attorney general's support for a national health insurance overhaul, the federal stimulus package, and her opposition to renewing President Bush's tax cuts, which are set to expire.

Massachusetts residents have endured a package of tax increases on the state level, Brown said, and they will not be able take more hikes from their next senator in Washington. Brown cited his legislative experience and repeatedly described himself as an "independent thinker and voter" as he appealed for support beyond the state's small Republican Party. Coakley did not make a single proposal during the debates in the primary, Brown said, and she has not suggested a way to save Massachusetts taxpayers a single dollar.

"There is a very clear and distinct choice here," Brown said, saying that as a senator Coakley would "almost be robotic in the way she'll be in lockstep with Harry Reid and the special interests and the president."