Hudak Running From Reputation

Bill Hudak, a lawyer from Boxford, is a Republican running for Congress in the Massachusetts 6th district, a seat safely held by Democrat John Tierney of Salem since 1996.

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

The reason Hudak has become a lightning rod in this race is widely-known and referenced repeatedly by Democrats. In 2008, Hudak posted signs on his Boxford lawn depicting Barack Obama as 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Hudak also spoke to a reporter 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 Marblehead Patch.

Fringe Candidate?

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker has taken heat  for an appearance with Hudak at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. Baker has backed away from endorsing Hudak in his primary race against a  lawyer from Saugus, Rob McCarthy.

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 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, September 14.

Hudak's opponent, 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 noting he has a lot of support for his campaign.

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 could not be available to comment for this article.

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.