Senator Scott Brown to serve in Afghanistan

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GOP Sen. Scott Brown said today he will serve in Afghanistan later this year to fulfill his duties in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Brown, who is up for re-election next year, issued a statement today. He is a lieutenant colonel with the National Guard, and has served for 30 years.

I have service obligations that I fulfill each year. Following in the tradition of other lawmakers who have completed their military service requirements overseas, this year I have requested to conduct my annual training in Afghanistan. Doing so will help me to better understand our ongoing mission in that country, and provide me first-hand experience for my duties on the Senate Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs committees.

Brown came into national prominence in January 2010 when he won a surprise victory in the heavily blue Bay State to fill out the remainder of Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy's term.

Kennedy died in August 2009 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

The Massachusetts Senate race is one that could help decide partisan control next year, and Democrats are targeting Brown for defeat. Brown has raised more than $7 million for his re-election and recent polls such as one by Suffolk University show a majority of voters believe he deserves a full term.