Mitt Romney passed over the race for the open Senate seat in Massachusetts, but has decided to get involved in his own way.

He is holding a fundraiser for Republican state Sen. Scott Brown, in his long-shot bid to become the successor of the late Edward M. Kennedy..

Romney will appear tonight with Brown in Wrentham, Mass.

The event should provide a needed financial shot in the arm for the under-resourced campaign — Brown raised $154,000 through Sept. 30, the lowest of any of the major party candidates.

State Attorney General Martha Coakley led the four-person Democratic field with $2.2 million in receipts.