Battenfeld: Massachusetts needs new political movement to save it from Democrats
The Massachusetts Republican Party (MassGOP) is facing a critical juncture as it grapples with a dwindling voter base and a lack of viable candidates for federal and statewide offices. Currently, registered Republicans account for less than 10% of the state’s electorate, with only about 423,000 out of 5 million voters identifying as part of the party. This stark contrast is highlighted by the dominance of Democrats, who boast approximately 1.3 million registered voters, alongside a significant number of unenrolled voters totaling around 3.2 million. The MassGOP’s struggle to attract both candidates and voters has led to its characterization as a fringe party, unable to mount a serious challenge against the well-entrenched Democratic leadership in Massachusetts.
Recent developments within the party signal a deeper crisis, as evidenced by the resignation of executive director John Milligan and the appointment of finance chair Haley Jones as his successor. While party officials maintain that such transitions are part of a natural process, the reality is that the MassGOP is in desperate need of revitalization. The email communication to state committee members emphasized plans to rebuild political infrastructure and recruit top-tier candidates ahead of the 2026 elections. However, the party’s current roster of candidates includes individuals with limited recognition and experience, such as John Deaton for the U.S. Senate and other lesser-known figures vying for statewide positions. With no clear rising stars emerging, the party’s prospects appear bleak, especially when considering that incumbent figures like Governor Maura Healey enjoy significant popularity and lead over potential Republican challengers in polling.
The situation prompts a broader question about the future of the MassGOP: can it evolve into a more dynamic movement that resonates with conservatives and independents alike? The article points to the successful youth-driven conservative movement inspired by figures like Charlie Kirk, which has mobilized millions of voters who reject traditional party labels. Massachusetts could benefit from a similar coalition to counterbalance the overwhelming Democratic influence that has characterized the state’s political landscape. With the Republican Party struggling to connect with unenrolled voters and lacking national support from prominent figures like Donald Trump, the need for a fresh approach or even the formation of a new political entity is becoming increasingly apparent. As the MassGOP stands at a crossroads, it must either find a way to reinvent itself or risk being consigned to irrelevance in Massachusetts politics.
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)
