Bielat, a former Marine Corps reservist, will go on to face Democrat Joe Kennedy III, the son of former Congressman Joe Kennedy II and grandson of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy, in the general election in November. Bielat beat former Romney administration official and Brookline psychiatrist Elizabeth Childs and Fall River dentist David Steinhof for the Republican nomination Thursday night capturing 72 percent of the votes in the district.
Referencing the closing night of the Democratic National Convention and President Barack Obama?s speech in his acceptance speech, Bielat said, ?most people in this country recognize we don?t need the same, we need something new.?
The candidate said the sentiment of change starts with the 4th district and stretches all the way to Washington, D.C.
Bielat, a Norfolk resident, lost the race for the seat to outgoing Congressman Barney Frank by an 11-point margin in 2010. He was the first serious opponent Frank, a liberal stalwart, had in his more than three decades in Congress. Frank announced in November that he wouldn?t seek a 17th term in Congress, citing the newly reconfigured district.
Now that he captured the nomination, Bielat and his campaign looked to the general election and his new opponent, Kennedy. The mention of Kennedy?s name triggered boos from the crowd of Bielat supporters in the State Room of the Newton Crowne Plaza. The campaign accused Kennedy, a former prosecutor in Middlesex County and Cape Cod and the Islands and a former Peace Corps volunteer, of being unqualified to serve in Congress.
?Joe Kennedy III has money and Sean is qualified,? said Bielat?s wife Hope, listing off her husband?s professional degrees from Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. ?Joe Kennedy III does not have the qualifications to be a Congressman.?
Bielat?s wife chalked up Kennedy?s success in the race so far to his family?s political clout. Kennedy raised $1.3 million in the last fundraising quarter, far more than his opponents.
?Joe Kennedy III was born with a silver spoon in his mouth,? Hope Bielat said.
Bielat?s supporters said they are confident in his ability to take on a member of the famous political dynasty.
?Kennedy is really up against a formidable foe,? said Tom Mountain, chairman of the Newton Republican City Committee. ?To put it bluntly, it?s going to be the Marine Corps against the Peace Corps.?
Mountain said the party won?t let the Congressional seat return to the Democratic party.
?He will win this campaign,? Mountain said.
Bielat?s 2010 candidacy garnered some high-profile endorsements including former Republican presidential nominee and Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
The crowd anxiously awaited the results Thursday night as they were glued to a projector screen in the ballroom. The race was one of the last few to be called Thursday night. Childs? campaign sent out a concession email at 9:45 p.m. and called Bielat shortly before that.
Bill Heck, a 2010 Newton mayoral candidate, told the Newton TAB Thursday that Bielat will serve the country well.
?He?s a real person,? said Heck. ?He?s well-founded, industrious and wants to really deal with the issues that matter.?
Staff writer Chloe Gotsis can be reached at 781-433-8333 or at cgotsis@wickedlocal.com.san diego chargers san diego chargers j.r. martinez lance ball lance ball kansas city chiefs chiefs
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