Senator Olympia Snowe, the Maine moderate who complained about excessive partisanship as she announced her retirement last week, today endorsed Senator Scott Brown for reelection and branded him an important independent voice for the US Senate. “In an institution characterized by gridlock and partisanship, Scott Brown is a much-needed breath of fresh air,” Snowe said of her fellow Republican in a statement. Brown is facing a tough fight from Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren. He has cast himself as a bipartisan lawmaker.