Tierney Challenge Heats Up in Massachusetts

Next fall's Democratic primary in Massachusetts between controversial U.S. Rep. John Tierney and challenger Seth Moulton is heating up as fundraising efforts enter the end of the fourth quarter of the year.

Tierney's House seat has been targeted by national Republicans, reports The Boston Globe.

If Moulton's fundraising efforts so far are any indication, Tierney, who fended off a Republican challenge from former state Sen. Richard Tisei in 2012, may very well struggle to gain his party's nod.

During the third quarter, Moulton was able to bring in $355,548 and had $301,735 in cash on hand, his campaign reported. But Tierney's quarterly report for the same period, ending in August, showed him raising much less, $125,000, but he finished out the period with $561,155 in cash on hand, meaning his war chest remained larger, reports The Salem News.

The VoteVets Political Action Committee, which is supporting Moulton in his first run for public office, has called the race its "best chance to elect a progressive veteran to Congress in 2014 while simultaneously restoring some integrity and trust in our nation's capital."

Moulton, who is an Iraq war veteran and vice chairman on the board of directors of Eastern Healthcare Partners in Salem, Mass., could pose a challenge to Tierney, who narrowly won his 2012 reelection bid following controversy over his wife's involvement in illegal offshore gambling operations connected with her brother.

But Tierney is seeking his 10th term in representing Massachusetts' 6th Congressional district, a record that may prove difficult for newcomer Moulton to defeat.

Roll Call recently called Tierney one of its "10 Most Vulnerable House Members" because of further allegations that he had improperly reported income form his wife and brother-in-law, charges the House Ethics Committee cleared him of in September.

Tierney is not only facing Moulton, but attorney Marisa DeFranco in the September primary, with the winner to square off against Tisei, who is trying again after his narrow loss to Tierney in the 2012 election.

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