Race of the Day: Barney Frank in 'the fight of his life'

Out-of-nowhere Republican Sean Bielat is giving long-serving Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank a run for his money

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Barney Frank

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REPUBLICAN

Sean Bielat

Basic Info:

Fifteen-term incumbent

Age: 70

Consultant, Marine Corps major

Age: 35

Issues:

  • Wants to raise taxes on richest Americans
  • Supports repeal of "Don't ask don't tell"
  • Voted for bank bailout
  • Wants to extend Bush tax cuts for all Americans
  • Says further study is needed on DADT
  • Would have let big banks fail

Polling At:49%37%Campaign Chest:$1.1 million$365,000Key Quote:"I do not intend to be ambushed by the kind of right-wing smears that assailed John Kerry in 2004.""There are few individuals more responsible [for the financial crisis] than Congressman Frank."Petty Controversy:Frank's boyfriend James Ready alledgedly heckled Bielat during a media interviewBielat was "outed" as a former Democrat by a local news siteWild card:After Scott Brown's Senate victory last year, Massachusetts Republicans are feeling newly emboldened.

Dueling Ads:N/A"Banks": This ad argues that "you can bail out regular people or bail out the banks — and Barney chose the banks."

Sean Bielat's "Banks":

* "Fight of his life"

The Week Staff