District Divided

An intellectual who is not well-disposed toward the nitty-gritty of politicking. Studds comes across to his constituents as either smart and capable or aloof and arrogant.

Strong Shoulders

"He has a good head on his shoulders. He's a very smart person," says 28-year-old Pamela Moniz, a saleswoman at New Bedford Shade and Drapery.

But Elaine Fisher, a Barnstable house-wife in her 60s, says she "didn't vote for him before and I'm not going to now."

"It's because of his preferences for one thing, but I didn't know that before," she says. "I just don't like him--I think he's arrogant, and he makes himself sound better than he really is."

Ultra-Liberal

Dennis Selectman George W. Fallon says he hopes Studds will get voted out of office "because he's an ultra-liberal--his record is one of extreme liberalism," and also because he disagrees with his lifestyle and his activities.

"I think that we citizens have a right to expect more," Fallon adds.

James Gouvela, owner of Jimmie's Hot Dogs in New Bedford, also says he thinks Studds's record as a congressman has been very good. But on the congressman's homosexuality, Gouvela adds, "As a man, I can't buy that kind of stuff. He seems to think it's an ultimate lifestyle, but I don't agree."

The Competition

Peter Flynn, the sheriff of Plymouth County, which includes the part of the 10th district running south from the suburbs to the Cape Cod Canal, has emerged as Studds's principal rival for his seat.

Flynn, is also the first Democrat to challenge Studds since 1976, Studds ran unopposed in 1978, and faced no challenge from his own party in 1980 and 1982 when he beat Republican opponents by more than two-to-one margins.

Flynn has avoided making political capital out of Studds's censure, but "quite frankly, when you talk to people, that's the first thing that comes up," notes Flynn's campaign manager, Robert J. Glenn.

The Issues