The U.S. Senate seat that had been held by Ted Kennedy for decades appears to be hours away from being handed over to a Republican.

A virtually unknown politician has risen up and currently leads his Democrat opponent, State Attorney General Martha Coakley.  State Senator Scott Brown is leading Coakley by 9 points, according to the latest polls.

Massachusetts will hold a special election tomorrow to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy.

The Commonwealth is one of the most liberal states in the country, so the thought of citizens electing a Republican is quite the wake up call for Democrats.

The people have made it clear that this election comes down to the health care bill.  Brown has vowed to be the 41st opposing vote, while Coakley has promised to be the 60th favoring vote.

Recent campaign blunders have cost Coakley support.  The latest came this weekend when she proved in an interview that she did not know who Curt Schilling was.  (full story here)  Schilling received favored son status when he led the Boston Red Sox to a victory against the rival New York Yankees in a dramatic American League Championship Series in 2004.  His severely injured ankle spewed blood while he pitched from the mound.  Boston went on to win their first World Series since Babe Ruth and Schilling’s infamous bloody sock now hangs in the Hall of Fame.

Coakley referred to Schilling as a “Yankees fan”, which did not sit well with the Fenway Faithful.

Another hometown sports hero, Doug Flutie, voiced his support with Schilling this weekend at a rally for Brown.

Massachusetts residents love their sports and take their politics very seriously.  Brown supporter Dave Ridley, of Peabody, MA, said in one Facebook exchange, “It feels like the Super Bowl and World Series both tomorrow!”