A recent Harvard Law School graduate who had a spirited public exchange this spring with Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank about the financial crisis now wants to join Frank in Congress — as the House member from Illinois’ 9th District.

Republican Joel Pollak filed candidacy paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and previously announced his candidacy in Illinois’ 9th, a strongly Democratic-leaning district in and around Evanston in which Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky will be seeking a seventh term.

Pollak’s campaign Web site includes some footage of his encounter with Frank, who appeared at Harvard in April to talk about new regulations on the nation’s financial system. During a question and answer period, Frank took umbrage at Pollak’s statement that the financial crisis “happened on your watch” and his questions about whether Frank bore any responsibility.