Battenfeld: Massachusetts needs new political movement to save it from Democrats
The Massachusetts Republican Party (MassGOP) is facing a critical crossroads as it grapples with a dwindling voter base, a lack of compelling candidates, and internal strife. With only about 423,000 registered Republicans in a state of 5 million, comprising less than 10% of the electorate, the party is dwarfed by the Democratic majority of 1.3 million and a significant pool of unenrolled voters, approximately 3.2 million. This demographic reality has rendered the MassGOP a fringe party, struggling to gain traction in a political landscape dominated by Democrats. The party’s leadership is under pressure, highlighted by the recent resignation of executive director John Milligan, replaced by finance chair Haley Jones. Despite assurances of a strategic rebuild aimed at recruiting and training “top-tier” candidates for the 2026 elections, the party’s prospects appear bleak, with only familiar faces and inexperienced newcomers stepping forward for statewide runs.
The need for a revitalized movement echoes the youth-driven conservative wave inspired by figures like Charlie Kirk, who have successfully mobilized millions of voters disillusioned with conventional party affiliations. Advocates for a similar transformation in Massachusetts argue that a coalition of conservatives and independents could stave off what they perceive as a slide into complete Democratic hegemony, which they claim has been detrimental to the state. As the MassGOP struggles to present a viable alternative to the Democratic incumbents, such as Governor Maura Healey—who currently leads her GOP rivals by 20 points—the question remains: can the party adapt and attract the unenrolled voters who dominate the political landscape? Without a strategic overhaul and a compelling vision, the MassGOP risks further marginalization, prompting discussions about the necessity of a new political movement in Massachusetts altogether.
The MassGOP is dead in the water, plagued by a shrinking voter base and struggling to come up with strong, dynamic candidates for federal and statewide office.
The state Republican Party can continue to spin its wheels in 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 have coalesced to form a powerful union that will be a major factor in the next election.
Massachusetts needs a similar movement to avoid complete Democratic party rule, which has been a disaster for the state.
The MassGOP has essentially become a fringe party.
Bay State Republicans now are divided by internal strife, plagued by a lack of superstars on the bench and fighting an impossible battle against Democrats, who hold a huge numbers advantage.
No one takes the state GOP seriously, no matter how many city councilors and dog catchers they elect in municipal elections.
Who is the Republican rising star in Massachusetts?
Not only can the party not recruit candidates that are taken seriously, they can’t recruit voters. Just some 423,000 voters in Massachusetts of the state’s 5 million voters are now registered Republicans, less than 10%. They are dwarfed by 1.3 million Democrats and by far the dominant group of unenrolled voters, at around 3.2 million.
Unenrolled voters are ripe to be tapped, but the Republican Party can’t do it.
Cracks are already appearing in the leadership of the state GOP. The Republican Party’s executive director, John Milligan, just stepped down, replaced by finance chair Haley Jones.
Officials downplayed the shakeup, saying in an email to state committee members that “it’s natural for transitions to occur within our organization.”
“MassGOP is in the thick of launching our plans to rebuild our political infrastructure, recruit and train top-tier candidates, and compete aggressively across the Commonwealth in 2026,” the email said.
Top tier? The party is so weak it can only attract retreads like John Deaton for U.S. Senate and inexperienced unknowns like Brian Shortsleeve, Mike Kennealy and Mike Minogue to make a run for statewide office.
And the party has almost zero chance of winning a congressional seat, which are all controlled by Democrats.
Charlie Baker isn’t walking through that door. The popular former governor is making far too much money leading the NCAA to come to the rescue.
If the election were held tomorrow, incumbent Sen. Ed Markey (or another Democrat) and Gov. Maura Healey would clobber their Republican opponents. Healey is up by 20 points to her three GOP rivals.
And considering the battering she has taken for her handling of the economy and migrants, her reelection numbers in the polls aren’t bad.
Nearly six in ten votes approve of the job she’s done.
The national GOP doesn’t seem to give much hope for the local team.
Where’s President Donald Trump? Where’s Pam Bondi? Where are the national Republicans coming up to campaign?
Trump got about 1.3 million votes last year. Why do so many people vote for Trump but reject the state Republican Party?
And redrawing the state’s congressional boundaries won’t make much difference. You can redistrict all day long, but coming up with a Republican leaning district would take a Hail’s Mary play.
Maybe it’s simply time for another party in Massachusetts. Because this is not working.
The state Republican Party is thinning. (AP file)
