I Forgot to Mention

For John, BLUF:  The Other Wing of the Republican Party still rules in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Kirsten Hughes re-elected Mass GOP chair

From The Boston Globe and Reporter Travis Andersen, we have a report of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee meeting on Wednesday, 25 January 2017.

Here is the lede plus two:

State GOP chair Kirsten Hughes on Wednesday night won re-election to the leadership post, fending off a challenge from a conservative activist.

Hughes, an attorney and president of the Quincy City Council, defeated Steve Aylward, of Watertown, by a margin of 46-30 at a meeting of the state party committee in Newton, a spokesman said.

Governor Charlie Baker backed Hughes in her re-election bid, while Aylward, a supporter of President Trump, was the favored candidate of the party’s right flank.

The meeting was at the Newton Marriott at 7 PM.  For challenger Steve Aylward there was a reception at 5:30 AM.  The reception was well attended, with over 60 people.

The 7:00 meeting had more than 100 people sitting behind the ropes separating them from the actual 80 elected Committee Members, including two from Lowell. Our two State Committee members broke down as follows.

State Committeewoman Sheila Harrington explained that she did not like the actions of Steve Aylward, Shanna O'Connell, and Geoff Diehl.  In her mind they have done nothing to help the MA GOP and their actions have hurt "good" legislation. She voted to support Ms Hughes.

On the other hand,

State Committeeman Dennis Galvin gave an excellent two minute nomination speech on be half of Steve Aylward.

In the end, Ms Kirsten Hughes was again voted in as MA State Committee Chairman, 46-30.  A pretty solid win, suggesting that the more conservative side is still fighting an uphill battle in this Commonwealth.

My conclusion: It is tough to be a Republican in MA. Regards  —  Cliff