Barney Frank Opponent Sean Bielat, First of GOP Hopefuls to File Signatures with Statehouse

Sean Bielat for Congress, image Libertarian Republican. net

Yesterday, Sean Bielat turned in sufficient signatures to place his name on the ballot in the State of Massachusetts in order to run against incumbent Barney Frank in the 4th District.. According to Bielat’s “Facebook” page, he dropped off 2756 “certified
signatures” at the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office. Bielat was the first of several candidates to announce his trip to Beacon Hill. Signatures are not officially due until May 25th, according to the Secretary of State’s office. In addition the process allows for opposition candidates to challenge signatures, so it is imperative that that candidates collect above and beyond the 2000 certified signatures required for those running for U.S. Congressional Seats. Candidates can expect that a minimum of 500 signatures will be challenged, and those will be reviewed by the Registrars of Voters by May 28th. Once a candidate runs the gauntlet of the certification process, they are then officially on the ballot.

Beilat, formerly of Canandaigua, NY, was married in New Hampshire in October of 2009 He is expecting his first child. An Active Marine Reservist, Bielat worked with I Robot’s Military division, and lists his current occupation as “consultant”. He has been described as a Libertarian Republican by the website Libertarian Republican.net

The other Republican Candidate, Earl Sholley, is expected to bring his signatures to the Statehouse next week with little fanfare. Sholley will face Bielat in the September primary. The winner of that primary will go on to challenge long-time incumbent Barney Frank of Fannie and Freddie fame. Although the district did vote for a Republican, Scott Brown, in the January 19, special election, either Sholley or Beilat will have to win over Democrats in order to defeat Frank. The district, due to gerrymandering, has several larger urban populations that are predominantly Democrat. A great deal will depend upon how alienated Barney Frank has become from the rank and file moderate Democrats. Those are the individuals the winner of the September Primary must attract in order to defeat Frank and it is not out of the question.