With less than two weeks to go to Election Day, the mud is being slung in the race for state Rep. Paul Casey's 31st Middlesex House seat.

Three candidates are seeking to replace Casey, who is stepping down from the post: Winchester Democrat Jason Lewis, Winchester Republican Brian O'Connor and Winchester Independent Chad Riley.

Riley, who O'Connor is quick to point out used to be a Democrat, has made numerous attempts to paint Lewis as far more liberal than the district by pointing to his support from Mass Alliance, the progressive political coalition.

"I am extremely concerned about my opponent Jason Lewis' proud commitment to the radical left socialist political action coalition called Mass Alliance," Riley told the Stoneham Sun. "Mass Alliance has provided Jason Lewis organization, experience[d] staff, young passionate volunteers and a fundraising network. Mass Alliance has targeted the Stoneham/Winchester House seat. Their radical socialist sympathizing agenda will be Jason Lewis' primary focus to the detriment of Stoneham and Winchester residents."

While Lewis does list Mass Alliance's endorsement on his website, he categorically denied Riley's charges and noted that his primary opponent, Michael Rotondi, made similar charges. Lewis defeated Rotondi by a 2-to-1 margin.

"These charges are false," Lewis told PolitickerMA.com. "These allegations were also thrown at me during the Democratic primary months ago, I responded at the time and voters, without hesitation, rejected them."

"Mass Alliance is a coalition of about 20 different organizations including teachers, nurses, social workers and environmental advocates," Lewis added. "These are the people that I've been talking to at the doors. They are the fabric of our communities and their values are shared by the people of this community and I'm proud to have their support."

Nevertheless some in the district, including O'Connor, believe Lewis may be too far left for the district and note that the seat was held by a Republican before Casey.

O'Connor told PolitickerMA.com that he has stayed out of the negativity Riley has displayed, though he doesn't necessarily disagree with the charges.

"I was surprised that Chad came out so negative; he's a very nice guy," O'Connor said. "He believes that Lewis is that way and he thinks he can get the voters attention by pointing that out."

O'Connor repeatedly noted that Riley was a Democrat before he decided to run as an Independent for the seat and said that Riley would likely follow the Democratic line if elected.

"Chad made that political decision to go after Lewis' ultra left stance," O'Connor said. "I think he's right but I also believe you also have to be positive to people, being negative isn't going to help anyone."

O'Connor, who pointed to his experience as a Winchester selectman, added that he believes his ideological views are a better fit for the district than Lewis'.

"I think I fit like a glove with Stoneham," O'Connor said. "In Winchester, I'm a two-term selectman there."

O'Connor also his experience as a selectman shows he puts the needs of the community over following a party line.

"When I vote as a selectman I don't even think of Republican or Democrat," he said. "I think of the issues and what is the in the best issue of the town."

More than anything else, O'Connor said he is dedicated to balancing the budget. Spending has gotten out of control. So much so, he added, that he supports Question 1, the ballot initiative that would abolish the state income tax. He also noted, however, that he believes if it passes the legislature will overrule it.

Lewis opposes Question 1 and said that his experience as a businessman, he has an MBA from Harvard Business School and has worked for two Boston high tech companies, and sitting on the Winchester Finance Committee has prepared him to tackle the difficult budget issues facing the state.

"Unlike at least one of my opponents, Mr. Riley, I have served extensively," he said. "I've had a track record of community service...My experience professionally, combined with my local knowledge; those are the qualifications that are going to allow me to be the most effective advocate."

Riley did not return several phone calls requesting comment for this story.

According to the last financial reports, Lewis has the advantage. Despite having to run a primary campaign, Lewis finished the period with more than $26,000 in his bank account. Riley reported nearly $4,900 and O'Connor had only $4,500 at that point.

Ultimately, Lewis said he is doing his best to avoid the negativity of the campaign and he believes voters are responding to his message.

"I set out to make this a campaign about the real issues and concerns that people care about," he said. "I have stayed focused on what really matters to our communities. What people really care about is their economic future. How they are going to get adequate local aide and how we're going to make sure to continue to have quality schools. That's what people want to talk about."

Editor's Note: Stay tuned to PolitickerMA.com Thursday for coverage of Wednesday night's debate between these three candidates.