Asked in a July interview at his campaign headquarters whether Senator Marzilli should resign, the veteran selectmen answered immediately: "No, he is entitled to due process. I have no desire to wish further harm to Jim. He was an effective legislator, and I wish him well."

What are his views about gay marriage? He supports it as a constitutional right and says he always has. Asked about a claim made this spring that he opposed it in 2003, he denied that. He said that when he was questioned about the issue this spring, it was "the first time he was asked" publicly about it.

As for casino gambling, he said he opposes it, but he told a Town Democratic Committee forum in July that he backs putting the question on the ballot. His Democratic opponent in the race, Ken Donnelly of Arlington, says he supports casino gambling and does not back such a ballot measure.

In the interview, the 54-year-old called casino gambling a "temporary job opportunity." In balancing concerns about state funding with data showing casinos abet negative social issues, Hurd said the Bay State is losing revenue to casinos in Connecticut, "but at what cost?"

Outside, thunder crashed, and rain pelted down in torrents. Inside, in an upstairs room at 75 Summer St. with yellow walls decorated only by red and blue political signs leaning against them, Hurd offered the public a look at who has been – and is now.

Born in Somerville, he moved with his family to Arlington at age 3. Just four years later, his father died. Raised by a single mom, who became a crossing guard, serving at Summer and Mystic, he remembers long having a feeling he wanted to "give back." Hurd called such service a "way of life" for his family.

For the candidate, the definition of such service has long been linked to hockey. Hurd was a forward on the last Arlington High School state championship hockey team, which went 23-0-1 in 1971 under legendary coach Ed Burns.