Tierney And Tisei Congressional Race Expected To Be Close
BOSTON (CBS) - One of the most heated Congressional races is the battle in the 6th District of Massachusetts.
Democratic incumbent Rep. John Tierney is fighting a close battle with Republican challenger Richard Tisei.
WBZ-TV's Lauren Leamanczyk reports from Tierney's Headquarters In Salem
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports from Tisei's Headquarters In Peabody
Rep. Tierney has been representing the North Shore in Congress for 16 years. But his job could be in jeopardy.
Tierney has taken a lot of heat for an illegal gambling ring his wife's family is accused of running.
Tierney has never been charged, but his wife served prison time. He says his opponents have used that to smear him. He was asked how much the scandal may have impacted the race.
"We'll find that out tonight," he said. "When i talk to people, people are talking about the issues. They want to know what happens to their family. I think they're pretty disgusted and turned off by all of that other nonsense that's been going on, but we'll see when the election's done."
Tisei acknowledged he's fighting an uphill battle, noting it's not easy to defeat a 16-year incumbent. But said voters have taken the scandal surrounding Tierney's wife to heart.
"It's obviously a problem. It's not really his wife, it's him. 'Voters have looked at him and said you know what, this guy hasn't been really honest with us,'" Tisei said.
Tierney voted Tuesday morning in Salem and Tisei cast his vote in Wakefield before both candidates made their ways around the district greeting supporters.
