GOP Hopeful Bielat Seeks Frank's Seat

Another Republican has joined the race for the Massachusetts congressional seat being vacated by retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Barney Frank.

Sean Bielat, who lost to Frank in 2010, made the announcement official Tuesday afternoon in Attleboro.

If he wins the GOP nomination, Bielat might have to face Joseph Kennedy III. The son of former U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II and grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, has formed an exploratory committee as a step toward running.

Bielat is a former U.S. Marine who lives in Norfolk.

Other announced candidates in the district that stretches from the Boston suburbs to Fall River include Republican Elizabeth Childs, a Brookline school committee member; Democrat Paul Heroux, an Attleboro businessman; and Democrat Herb Robinson, a software engineer from Newton.