In his race against look-alike Harvard graduates with similar backgrounds and beliefs, gubernatorial candidate George Bachrach stands alone.

The former state senator from Watertown proclaims himself "an unabashed liberal" who has resisted the centrist politics of his Democratic opponents, State Sen. Michael J. Barrett '70 (D-Cambridge) and State Rep. Mark Roosevelt '78 (D-Beacon Hill).

"I don't think the Democratic party can win by being more like the Republican party," Bachrach says. "It troubles me when we try."

Thus, the Boston lawyer and former political commentator for WCVB-TV and WBUR-FM differs with his opponents on some of the hottest issues in this year's campaign, ranging from the economy to education reform.

Bachrach, 42, criticizes both Roosevelt and Barrett for their political platforms, which he says are notably similar to those of Republican Gov. William F. Weld '66.

Bachrach says he's a leftist who's not afraid to challenge the moderate Republican incumbent with his liberal platform--which he attributes to his background.

Born in Westchester County, N.Y. to Jewish refugees who escaped Europe during World War II, Bachrach says his heritage inspired him "to work for some form of economic and social justice" in his community.

"I don't think you can come from that background and not have a sense of outrage," says Bachrach, who lost two grandparents in the Holocaust. That's why it troubles me when I see anyoneleft behind."

Disappointed With Senate

This year's gubernatorial race is not the firsttime Bachrach has contended against candidateswith famous last names.

In 1986, Bachrach lost to Joseph P. kennedy IIin a race for the Eighth Congressional Districtseat in the U.S. House. Bachrach finished secondout of 12 candidates.

Following his 1980 election as the firstIndependent candidate in the State Senate,Bachrach says he was disappointed with the waystate politics were run.

He sought to change what he considered "theleast democratic" institution in the state bychallenging incumbent William M. Bulger (D-Boston)for the Senate presidency in 1984.

Having failed in his bid for the Senatepresidency, Bachrach has now returned to theDemocratic party and is poised to take on his twomiddle-of-the-road challengers in the Septemberprimary.

On the Issue of Crime

Like the other candidates, Bachrach cites crimeas one of the most important issues in thecampaign, but his solutions differ from thoseoffered by Barrett and Roosevelt.