Mass. delegation braces for GOP challenges

By Farah Stockman, Bryan Bender, and Donovan Slack

WASHINGTON - Scott Brown’s Senate victory Tuesday sent shock waves through the Massachusetts congressional delegation, many members of which saw key communities in their districts vote overwhelmingly Republican.


Democrats and Republicans said the results foretell a surge of two-party competition in districts that haven’t seen serious challenges in years, as the state’s exclusively Democratic roster of 10 representatives faces its 2010 reelection amid rising anger over the battered economy and the prolonged battle over the health care overhaul.

“I think that they’re all going to have challengers, and they all are going to have to take their challengers seriously this time,’’ said Matthew Sisk, a member of the Republican State Committee.

Gleeful Republican strategists said three House members looked particularly vulnerable after the strong Republican turnout for Brown in their districts: Niki Tsongas of Lowell, James McGovern of Worcester, and William Delahunt, of Quincy.

Last night, Joseph D. Malone, a former two-term state treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate from Scituate, told the Globe that he is almost certainly going to run against Delahunt for the 10th District.

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http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/21/mass_congressmen_brace_for_tough_re_election_fights_republicans_emboldened_by_scott_brown_win/

Bring it on, Joe.

does regular town hall meetings. And, contrarily to Coakley, he knows there is a life west of 495.

They always think Delahunt is vulnerable, but latest candidate got 30 %. Particularly against Malone. Tsongas is another issue, though. . I understand how on paper this makes sense, but the reality is that except for Tsongas, they are all very senior reps that would be replaced by very junior reps. A lot of pork for the state would be lost.

This said, contrarily to Coakley, they are incumbent. This is an advantage, particularly if they campaign and dont take it for granted. But, by all means, the GOP should run candidates, just like the Dems should run candidates even in very red districts.