The Republican candidate, Richard Ross has won the MA state senate seat vacated by US Senator Scott Brown.

According to the Boston Herald:

Republican Richard Ross claimed the state Senate seat formerly held by Scott Brown as his Democrat opponent conceded a GOP victory last night, in a contest viewed as a referendum on Brown’s stunning U.S. Senate victory, experts said.

Ross, a Wrentham state representative, defeated Democrat Peter Smulowitz, a doctor and political newcomer from Needham, not only reaffirming Brown’s win but giving the GOP added momentum heading into the November election.

“Republicans can say this is a harbinger of things to come in November,” said political analyst Lou DiNatale. “Republicans want to say this is a trend.”

Oh, Republicans want to see this as a trend?

Check these sobering statistics from the Boston Globe:

According to unofficial results, Ross garnered 15,893 votes to Smulowitz’s 9,819, giving Ross about 62 percent of the votes and Smulowitz 38 percent. Ross won Needham, seen as a liberal stronghold in the 12-community district, by a vote of 2,717 to 2,495.

I think that qualifies as a sign of a trend.