Former Sen. Scott Brown joins GOP lunch in Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators greeted their once, and perhaps future, colleague Scott Brown with handshakes and backslaps Tuesday. Democrats met him with a wisecrack.

Brown is the former Massachusetts senator who won a special election in 2010 and then lost his seat to Democrat Elizabeth Warren in 2012.

Now he's running for the Senate from his new home in New Hampshire. He hopes to oust Democrat Jeanne Shaheen this fall.

Republicans welcomed Brown to their weekly lunch in the Capitol. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he'd love to have Brown back, no matter what state he's from.

Democrats had a snarkier view. Majority Leader Harry Reid credited Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland with the line: "the Constitution guarantees every state two senators, but the Constitution does not guarantee every senator two states."

Republicans hope Brown can help them gain the six Senate seats they need this November to control the chamber.