Mass. GOP losing ground By Matt Viser
Globe Staff / May 2, 2008
In the two election cycles since 2004, as Massachusetts Republicans lost the governor's office, every congressional race they contested, and a net of five seats in the Legislature, it was tough to imagine that things could get any worse for the chronically beleaguered state GOP.
But they have. Measured by its ability to field candidates, the Republican Party in Massachusetts is weaker than ever. While the state's top Democrats have few major legislative victories to point to, despite having a lock on Beacon Hill, Republicans are contesting only 29 percent of the 200 legislative seats in November, according to a preliminary list compiled by the secretary of state's office.
"There's nowhere to go but up," said Daniel P. Haley, who was chief of staff for Kerry Healey when she was lieutenant governor and is running against two Democrats for an open House seat in Holliston. "If nothing else, I can stand as a small bulwark against the in creasing dominance of the super majority," Haley said.
Signatures were due Tuesday in city and town clerk offices around the state, although a complete count of competitive races will not be certain until the state certifies signatures May 27. Based on who took out papers to run, Republican Party officials say they will probably contest no more than 58 of 200 legislative seats, the lowest number since at least 2000. In 2006, Republicans fielded candidates for 70 seats, which at the time was seen as a dismal failure.
Republicans currently have only 19 of 160 seats in the House and five of 40 seats in the Senate.
Rest of article at:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/02/mass_gop_losing_ground/
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