It is either a chance to capitalize on anti-incumbent fervor or to stand behind an effective lawmaker who has served the district well.
The view of the congressional race pitting Democratic incumbent John Tierney against Republican Bill Hudak varies depending on which local party leader you talk to.
"I think (Hudak's chances) are very good," said Nancy Luther, a Republican State Committee member from Topsfield. "There's great discontent among the electorate, and they're looking for change."
The slow-to-recover economy and frustration with the health care reform law will also draw independent voters toward Hudak, she said.
"He's been a very good congressman," Phil Sweeney, chairman of the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee, said of Tierney. "He supports good legislation and is very attentive to his job. ... He represents the type of values that we need in Washington."
In the eyes of Dan Mulcare, professor of political science at Salem State, several factors combine to make Hudak's candidacy "an uphill battle."
Tierney has more money and name recognition, he said. The congressman has $1.5 million in the bank compared to Hudak's nearly $93,000.
"There's general satisfaction with him," Mulcare said, citing vote percentages over 60 percent for Tierney in recent elections. "He's not a polarizing figure like Barney Frank is."
And a Scott Brown-like upset would be a tall order for Hudak, Mulcare said, because he doesn't have the same appeal to voters as Brown and House races are different from Senate races.
"People tend to vote for who they know at the local level," he said. But Mulcare also acknowledged "nothing is impossible."
"Anytime your name is on the ballot, you have a chance," said John McCarthy, a Republican State Committee member from Peabody. He said Tierney's affiliation with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama will compel people to vote against him.
"They're bankrupting this country," he said.
Republicans, Luther said, are "absolutely" prepared to rally behind Hudak, despite the hesitancy of Brown and gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker to formally endorse him. Hudak has faced criticism for alleged ties to birthers and a controversial anti-Obama sign he put in his Boxford yard in 2008.
"That's something that's in the past," Luther said of the sign issue. "The birther thing? I don't know anything about that."
Mike Schulze, former chairman of Peabody's Democratic City Committee and a longtime participant and observer of local politics, expects it to be a "lively, vibrant race."
"I'm just hoping that people will look at the differences between the candidates and understand who can do the job as opposed to listening to the bomb throwers," he said. "John has represented the district well."
Hudak, who easily defeated Rob McCarthy in the Republican primary, accepted Tierney's invitation to debate and yesterday proposed holding six debates on different topics in locations throughout the district. Tierney said yesterday that debate details would be worked out.
Election Day is Nov. 2.
"Let's get to it," Schulze said. "Let the race begin. Let's talk issues."
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