Among the crowd celebrating Scott Brown's improbable victory in a Boston Park Plaza ballroom was a Boxford Republican with his own dream of an Election Day upset.
Bill Hudak wants to unseat popular Democratic Congressman John Tierney in the 6th District. Tuesday's outcome — Brown swept the North Shore but for Salem to capture the Senate seat vacated by the late Ted Kennedy — further fueled his belief that he can.
"It ratifies it and confirms it," Hudak said.
The raucous cheers and music were barely a memory yesterday when Hudak announced that Brown had formally endorsed his candidacy.
"Bill was with us from the beginning and is the representative the people of the 6th District need," Brown said in a press release.
"We're going to take advantage of this endorsement," Hudak said. "We're going to capitalize on this momentum and add it to (our) campaign."
Brown's win energized Massachusetts Republicans and reversed a discouraging electoral trend, according to state Sen. Bruce Tarr, a Republican from Gloucester.
"The notion was beginning to take hold that Republicans can't win major elections, and that has changed," Tarr said.
The result underscores the viability of Swampscott Republican Charlie Baker's gubernatorial bid. And it gives hope to local candidates running for state representative and state Senate.
"It will help in so many ways," said Brett Schetzsle of Beverly, a Republican running for state representative. It will encourage people to volunteer for local campaigns and help candidates raise money, Schetzsle said. Brown stumping for candidates will also generate interest for Republicans, he said.
Brown drew his support from Republicans and frustrated independents, Republican state Rep. Brad Hill of Ipswich said.
"They sent a very clear message yesterday," Hill said. "They don't like what's going on in D.C."
Their unrest isn't likely to dissipate by November, Hill predicted. "These people aren't just going away."
Locally, people want to rein in government spending, and they are upset with the legal troubles that have plagued Democrats in both chambers on Beacon Hill, he said.
"It demonstrated (Republicans') ability to understand and connect with the voters of Massachusetts," Laura Swanson of Salem said of Brown's campaign. "What he has done is help create a framework for Republicans moving forward," said Swanson, a former city councilor and member of the Republican City Committee.
The focus for local Republicans should be on the economy, job creation and retention, she said. "That's a good Republican platform."
The last time a Republican won in the 6th District was 1994, when Peter Torkildsen, then of Danvers, secured a second term and helped Republicans, united behind Newt Gingrich and his Contract With America, regain a majority in the House.
Hudak is hoping he is part of a Republican resurgence next fall. He has been campaigning since July and opened an office on Endicott Street in Danvers last September. It became a headquarters for Brown on the North Shore where more than 100,000 calls were placed on the state senator's behalf over the last three months, Hudak said.
"I think (Brown) appreciated everything we did for him," Hudak said.
The Boxford lawyer intends to pick up where Brown left off, bringing his campaign to Peabody Square, outside Tierney's office, for a "You're Next" rally on Tuesday.
"The thing that I'm really excited about is what this means for our democracy," Tarr said. It will engage more people in the political process, he said.
"The recession has brought people back to the table, and I just hope they stay there," Tarr said.
Like Hudak, Schetzsle believes he can win, and he appreciates the launching pad that Brown's victory has provided.
"This is a great jumping-off point," he said.
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