Patch the Vote: We're All Bipartisan Now

Election season 2012 is in high gear now, and we don’t want you to miss a thing. Here are some highlights from various races from your area.

CONGRESS DISTRICT 6

Congressman John Tierney continued to run TV ads painting challenger Richard Tisei as a Tea Party Republican and right-wing extremist.

North Andover Selectman Tracy Watson wrote a glowing letter supporting Tisei for his bipartisan record and moderate views.

And both candidates sounded off on GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney’s controversial comments calling 47 percent of Americans dependent on government, entitled and without responsibility for their lives.

U.S. SENATE

It was a busy week for the Senate race. First, a couple polls showed Democrat Elizabeth Warren in the lead over Republican Sen. Scott Brown. Then another poll showed Brown in the lead.

On Thursday, after concerns Brown might miss the debate, the two candidates met and had a debate on WBZ.

Warren attacked Brown with claims that he only represents wealthy people.

"He has said he will defend the top 2 percent and the top 3 percent... and will hold the other 98 percent of families hostage," Warren said.

Brown defended his bipartisan record and spoke out against tax increases.

"And the criticism is that I don't want to raise taxes," Brown said. "Guilty as charged. I'm not going to raise taxes. I'm going to protect taxpayers' pocketbooks and wallets."

Add in a bunch of jabs about Warren’s ethnic heritage and Brown’s big business ties and other points of drama, and there you go.

Brown also distanced himself from Romney’s controversial “47 percent” comments.

HOUSE ESSEX 18TH

Republican State Rep. Jim Lyons spoke out about local aid, calling for target share funding so communities like North Andover get their fair share.

Meanwhile, a reader wrote a glowing letter in support of Democrat Barbara L’Italien.