Rep. Barney Frank easily deflected a challenger buoyed by conservatives both in Massachusetts and across the country in the Bay State’s 4th district. Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, tonight easily defeated GOP challenger Sean Bielat, a local businessman and favorite of Fox News commentators and conservative talk radio hosts in recent weeks.

The Associated Press called the race with more than 60 percent of precincts reporting and Frank leading by 25 points.

But Frank’s victory may have been more difficult than the numbers indicate. The 15-term incumbent loaned himself $200,000 in the closing weeks, and had former President Bill Clinton stump for him.