Battenfeld: Massachusetts needs new political movement to save it from Democrats
The Massachusetts Republican Party (MassGOP) is facing a crisis, struggling with a dwindling voter base and a lack of compelling candidates for both federal and statewide offices. Currently, only about 423,000 of the state’s 5 million voters are registered Republicans, representing less than 10% of the electorate. In stark contrast, there are approximately 1.3 million Democrats and around 3.2 million unenrolled voters. This stark numerical disadvantage has rendered the MassGOP a fringe entity, often dismissed even in local elections, where they struggle to make a significant impact. The party’s internal divisions and continuous leadership changes, exemplified by the recent resignation of executive director John Milligan, further underscore its instability. Despite assurances from party officials about plans to rebuild and recruit top-tier candidates for the 2026 elections, the reality is that the party is struggling to attract serious contenders, often resorting to less experienced individuals or familiar faces with little chance of success.
In light of these challenges, some observers suggest that the MassGOP needs to undergo a transformation akin to the youthful conservative movement inspired by figures like Charlie Kirk. This movement has successfully attracted millions of voters who reject traditional party labels, creating a significant force in electoral politics. Advocates for a revitalized MassGOP believe that a similar coalition of conservatives and independents could emerge in Massachusetts to counteract the overwhelming dominance of the Democratic Party, which many argue has led the state into a period of decline. The potential for tapping into the sizable pool of unenrolled voters is evident, yet the current Republican leadership appears unable to capitalize on this opportunity.
The outlook for the MassGOP remains grim, especially with upcoming elections on the horizon. With popular incumbents like Governor Maura Healey and Senator Ed Markey leading by substantial margins in polls, the party’s chances of reclaiming power seem increasingly slim. Furthermore, the absence of national Republican support, as evidenced by the lack of prominent figures like Donald Trump engaging with local candidates, raises questions about the party’s viability moving forward. As Massachusetts continues to lean heavily Democratic, some commentators suggest that it may be time to consider the creation of a new political party altogether, as the current structure of the MassGOP is proving ineffective in representing the interests of conservative voters in the state.
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)
