Can the Republican Party continue to pivot over the next few elections, or can it morph into something new and more formidable: a common-sense movement of conservatives and independents who can be a force at the ballot box?
Look at the youthful conservative movement inspired by the slain Charlie Kirk. Millions of voters who have rejected party labels are united in a powerful union that will be a major factor in the next election.
Massachusetts needs a similar move to avoid full Democratic party rule, which has been a disaster for the state.
The MassGOP has essentially become a fringe party.
Now divided by internal strife, plagued by a lack of superstars on the bench, Republicans in the Bay State are fighting an impossible battle against Democrats, who have a huge lead.
No one takes the state GOP seriously, no matter how many city council members and dog catchers they elect in the municipal elections.
Who is the Republican rising star in Massachusetts?
Not only can the party not recruit candidates who are taken seriously, it also cannot recruit voters. Only about 423,000 Massachusetts voters out of the state’s 5 million voters are now registered Republicans, less than 10%. They are dwarfed by the 1.3 million Democrats and by far the dominant group of unenrolled voters, at about 3.2 million.
Unenrolled voters are ripe for tapping, but the Republican Party cannot.
Cracks are already appearing in the state GOP leadership. Republican Party Executive Director John Milligan has just resigned and been replaced by Finance Chairman Haley Jones.
Officials downplayed the shake-up, saying in an email to state commission members that “it is normal for transitions to occur within our organization.”
“MassGOP is launching our plans to rebuild our political infrastructure, recruit and train top candidates, and compete aggressively in the Commonwealth in 2026,” the email said.
Top layer? The party is so weak that it can only attract renewal candidates like John Deaton for the U.S. Senate and inexperienced unknowns like Brian Shortsleeve, Mike Kennealy and Mike Minogue to run for statewide office.
And the party has almost no chance of winning any seats in Congress, all of which are controlled by Democrats.
Charlie Baker doesn’t walk through that door. The popular former governor makes way too much money, prompting the NCAA to come to the rescue.
If the election were held tomorrow, incumbent Senator Ed Markey (or another Democrat) and Governor Maura Healey would be beating up their Republican opponents. Healey is 20 points higher than her three GOP rivals.
And considering the abuse she has suffered for her handling of the economy and migrants, her re-election numbers in the polls are not bad.
Nearly six in ten votes approve of the work she has done.
The national GOP doesn’t seem to be giving much hope for the local team.
Where is President Donald Trump? Where’s Pam Bondi? Where do national Republicans campaign?
Trump received about 1.3 million votes last year. Why do so many people vote for Trump but reject the Republican Party?
And redrawing the state’s congressional boundaries won’t make much of a difference. You can make redistricting all day long, but coming up with a Republican district would require a Hail Mary game.
Maybe it’s just time for another celebration in Massachusetts. Because this doesn’t work.
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