EDIT: Warren makes history

Elizabeth Warren made history with her victory Tuesday night, becoming the first woman to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate.

Although The Daily Free Press endorsed her competitor, U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, on Monday, there is no doubt that Warren was nevertheless a strong candidate, and we are interested in seeing what type of leadership she will bring to Congress.

Her success will be measured by her ability to keep campaign promises such as reducing student loan debt, fighting for the middle class and bringing about equal pay for women.

In regards to student loans, she will carry the responsibility of pushing for stronger grant programs and other popular legislations such as those that forgive loans to students who serve in their communities, as she promised during the campaign.

Having another Democratic senator may also help push through some of the social issues that have driven this election, such as access to birth control and abortion. With members of the Senate having pushed for legislation denying contraceptive coverage in March, it is clear that at on the federal level, reproductive rights have stirred controversy among elected officials, as well as their constituents.

It is still disappointing to see Brown, the incumbent senator, booted. Throughout his term, Brown served as an independent voice in the Senate. He reached across the aisle on issues such as the debt ceiling and rejecting the Bush-era tax cuts. Brown, who was named the least-partisan senator by Washington Magazine, voted with his party 66 percent of time, according to a Washington Post chart. The average U.S. senators votes with his or her party 90 percent of the time.

While Warren has potential to bring positive changes to the country, she must also be measured by her ability to compromise. Congress needs officials who understand that aspect of politics. If Warren can deliver that sense of compromise, she will prove to be a successful addition to the U.S. Senate.