 He successfully ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1998 , representing the 9th Norfolk District for three terms . Brown again moved up the ladder of state politics to the state Senate in March 2004 when he won a special election to replace Democrat Cheryl Jacques . Brown was re @-@ elected for a full term in November 2004 , and again in November 2006 , running without opposition the second time . He won re @-@ election in November 2008 , defeating Democratic candidate Sara Orozco by a 59 – 41 percent margin . Following his re @-@ election , Brown was one of five Republicans in the 40 @-@ seat Massachusetts Senate . In the Massachusetts Senate , Brown served on committees dealing with consumer protection , professional licensing , education , election laws , public safety , and veterans ' affairs . 
