One district in Massachusetts has an especially heated race as we approach Election Day.  The Massachusetts 6th Congressional District is currently represented by John Tierney (D, Salem) who is seeking his ninth consecutive win for the seat. The opposition is former State Senator and Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R, Wakefield) and the Libertarian first-time-candidate Daniel Fishman (L, Beverly).

The 2012 race was destined for attention as Tierney became embroiled in controversy after his brother-in-laws were indicted for illegally operating an internet gambling service during his 2010 election. It was found that his wife played a role, and she later pled guilty to her involvement of aiding and abetting in filing false tax returns. Her role included stashing some of her brothers’ money away in her joint account with Tierney, to which he claimed no knowledge of.

Tierney won his 2010 election by a large margin despite the controversy as it was only still developing at the time. Now, Tierney’s brother-in-law is claiming that he had elicit knowledge of the operation and even set his wife to take the fall in order to save himself and his election.

The story could cost Tierney his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as such the tightening race quickly gained notoriety – after all, it isn’t often that an incumbent Democrat will lose an election in Massachusetts. And in fact, Tisei would be the first newly elected Massachusetts Republican to the U.S. House in 15 years if he wins. He would also be the first openly gay Republican in the House of Representatives. Many Republicans spotted the opportunity and have thrown their weight behind the candidate.

Then there is Daniel Fishman; the Libertarian candidate that neither side knows what to make of. However, I can tell you what to expect from Fishman’s campaign: honesty and logic. Some claim that he will be a spoiler, perhaps taking away from Tisei’s votes and handing Tierney the election. I would say this is nothing but an attempt by Tisei supporters to disenfranchise Fishman supporters and try to funnel support towards the GOP hopeful.

What they may fail to realize is that many have defected from the Tierney campaign as a result of the ongoing scandal, but have turned to Fishman simply because he is not a Republican but is still an alternative. There is also the fact that Libertarians appeal equally to both sides through being socially liberal (a key Democrat platform) and fiscally conservative (a claim touted by Republicans, though rarely abided by.) As such, he stands to potentially gain votes from either side, as well as serving a sect of voters who are rarely appealed to.

Fishman is quick to attack both sides of the race, noting that neither wishes to curb the size of government. He is eager to point out that both are interested in growing government at the expense of the people and their freedoms. Fishman claims the primary reason he entered the race was the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act, which allows the indefinite detention of Americans without habeas corpus. It was one of the few times both Republicans and Democrats were able to get together and pass a new law.

It is clear after delving into the facts based on voting records and past actions that neither side appeals to Fishman’s camp. I find Fishman’s quest for the House to be a refreshing change to the politics as usual that is undermining our country’s values. Daniel Fishman’s goal is not to spoil the race; he is there to fight for the people, and especially those whose voices are rarely heeded.