After an election, the losing candidate usually gives a concession speech and then goes quietly about his or her life. But Bill Hudak is no ordinary losing candidate.

A week after the election which put Congressman John Tierney back in the House of Representatives for an eighth term and failed to deliver a victory for Republican Bill Hudak of Boxford, Hudak sent out an email to his supporters promising to keep asking for more donations.

"Well, I'm not one to leave a job unfinished," Hudak write to his supporters. "And I refuse to accept that John Tierney, who stands with Nancy Pelosi more than ever and has skated by the $7 Million question with outright false advertising and mailers, is my congressman."

The "$7 million question" referred to Tierney's wife Patrice pleading guilty last month to managing a Massachusetts bank account for her now-fugitive brother, who was funneling money into that account from an illegal offshore online gambling business in Antigua.

The letter, which Hudak signed as "Future Congressman, 6th MA District," implies that Hudak plans to run for Congress against Tierney again in 2012. But it also promises an active political movement in the immediate future and pleads with supporters for donations.

As for the legality of a candidate continuing to collect donations after losing an election, spokesperson Julia Queen of the Federal Elections Commission said a candidate can collect donations to either pay off campaign debt or to put toward the next campaign cycle if that candidate is running again.

Hudak's letter to supporters mentions 2012, even though it doesn't specifically announce his candidacy.

"If it's for the 2012 election, that's already started the day after this election, on Nov. 3, when the new cycle started," Queen said.

Either way, Queen added, the FEC doesn't pursue candidates in these matters unless a complaint has been filed, which could launch an investigation.

No complaints have been filed, and Hudak made it clear in that letter that he is not backing off any time soon.

"Please donate generously, now," Hudak says in the letter. "We are not fledglings any longer; we are experienced campaigners, and united we must continue to stand. Won't you help me send a strong message to John Tierney? That we are still here. And in the weeks and months to come, he will get no sleep."

Hudak did not return request for comment. Congressman Tierney's office declined to comment as well.