Close call, but Brown will debate Warren

ALLSTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- Despite a close call, U.S. Senator Scott Brown will be back in Boston to debate Elizabeth Warren on Thursday night.

Thursday’s debate could help voters begin to sort through a flurry of claims and counterclaims that the two candidates have hurled at each other in television ads and press releases.

Brown has tried to frame Warren as an out-of-touch academic who's determined to raise taxes and undermine free enterprise.

Warren has portrayed Brown as a friend of Wall Street and big business, and as an unreliable vote on women's issues.

The race, the most expensive political contest in Massachusetts history, is seen as key by both national parties as they wrestle for control of the Senate.

There were concerns that Brown might miss the debate. He told reporters Thursday that he would not miss a senate vote -- he has only missed one during his time in Washington and the senator is proud of that.

The senate majority leader, who is a democrat, claimed Brown was hoping to skip the debate and hinted his GOP colleagues were stonewalling a vote so it would be pushed back until Thursday night.

Warren supporters outnumbered the handful of Brown supporters who showed up outside of the debate venue.

Tune in to 7News at 11 p.m. for a wrap up of Thursday’s debate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.