Hudak Getting the Attention

The Republican battle to face U.S. Rep. John Tierney tops the ticket in Tuesday's primary election.

Bill Hudak, a lawyer from Boxford, faces Rob McCarthy of Saugus, also a lawyer, to be U.S. Rep. John Tierney's challenger in November.

Tierney, of Salem, has held the Sixth Congressional district seat since 1996.

It is one of only five contested races, in any party, on Tuesday's primary ballot for voters in both Hamilton and Wenham. Besides the Congressional race for Republicans, the only other contests on the Republican ballot is for auditor, with Mary Connaughton of Framingham facing Kamal Jain of Lowell.

Democrats will narrow the field for candidates seeking treasurer, auditor and Governor's Councilor in the Fifth District. The winner of the Governor's Council race - either Mary-Ellen Manning of Salem or Jason Panos of Peabody - won't face a Republican challenger in November.

In this election cycle, the Hudak-McCarthy race has drawn some national media attention, but mainly because of controversy surrounding Hudak.

Hudak has become a lightning rod in the race because in 2008 he posted signs on his Boxford lawn depicting Barack Obama as Sept. 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Hudak also spoke to a reporter for the Tri-Town Transcipt at the time, referencing Obama's birth certificate and questioning his citizenship.

Now, Democrats and Hudak's opponents are calling Hudak a "birther," and labeling him an extremist.

"It's blown up by the liberal press because I'm in striking distance of unseating a liberal Congressman who's been seated for 14 years," Hudak said in an interview with Hamilton-Wenham Patch's sister website Marblehead Patch.

Fringe Candidate?

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker has taken heat for an appearance with Hudak earlier this year at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. Baker has backed away from endorsing Hudak in his primary race.

Hudak has responded to the controversy by cutting an ad he's blasted around Youtube. He has also hired a team of communications specialists, Swift Current, who formerly worked for U.S. Sen. Scott Brown.

Hudak said he has been campaigning for the past 14 months, building up grassroots support.

"We can win the race and we are right where we need to be," Hudak said.

But first he has to win the Republican primary on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

McCarthy has a background which includes 15 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an officer. He lives with his wife and three children.

"Hudak, it seems to me that most of his publicity isn't positive," McCarthy said.

Despite that, the State Republican Party hasn't backed him over Hudak and has seemingly ignored his campaign.

Democrats have also largely ignored McCarthy, instead aiming straight at Hudak's past to call him a "fringe candidate."

"Mainstream is the last word I'd use to describe Mr. Hudak," said John Walsh, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. "Bill Hudak is the guy who had the sign on his lawn depicting the President as a terrorist -- that's fringe."

Hudak is trying to switch focus onto issues like the economy and Tierney's liberal voting record -- a record Hudak calls "extreme" in his own ad that asks, "Is Bill Hudak a Birther?"

Even as he tries to back away from the controversy, Hudak has to address it. In the ad, Hudak says Obama was "born in Hawaii in 1961."

Tierney's communications director, Kathryn Prael, said the Congressman was available to comment about Hudak or the race.

But she released a statement saying Tierney "remains dedicated to improving our local economy, creating and saving jobs, and supporting our families, seniors, and veterans."

Hudak's Campaign

Hudak has been doing the hard work of campaigning for more than a year -- he said he's been working 15-hour days to meet voters and get his message out.

Hudak talks about wanting to repeal the healthcare reform law passed in March amid partisan tension. He says the economy is burdened by uncertainty and wants lower taxes and less regulation.

"I don't use labels," Hudak said when asked about his conservative leanings. "I think my views are in line with the people of this district. In general terms, I'm conservative. I respond to everyone's views."

"It's Tierney's voting record that is out of touch with the times and the will of the voters," he said. "John Tierney is a big part of the reason we're on the wrong track."

Walsh  said Tierney is "absolutely plugged in" with the concerns of the voters in the district.

"John Tierney has been fighting for the interests of the 6th district for many years," Walsh said.