A recent poll shows that the Republican challenger to long-time Massachusetts lawmaker Barney Frank is within striking distance.

Sean Bielat is a Marine Corps Reserve major and a political unknown. But a recent poll showed him just ten points down against Frank, a 14-term incumbent who has not faced a serious challenge since the 1980s. While ten points might still be considered a substantial deficit, Bielat believes he is within striking distance.
 
Tory Mazzola, regional press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, says the challenger's campaign is "gaining traction."
 
"It's generating momentum," he adds. "So as that trend continues, this race could get closer and closer as we edge towards November."
 
Mazzola urges voters in Massachusetts to recognize that Frank is the poster child for the out-of-control Congress that Americans are fed up with.
 
"He is not only one of the lead architects of the Wall Street bailouts, but he's one of the most loyal allies that Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi has in Washington," he argues.
 
"And [Senator] Scott Brown's election [earlier this year] proves that Republicans can win in Massachusetts," the Republican spokesman states. "...Sean Bielat is putting together a team and an infrastructure and a great campaign to try and prove that we can also knock off Barney Frank."
 
Mazzola admits it is going to be an uphill battle for the GOP to win this seat, but he says the American people are on their side in desiring lower taxes and smaller government.