http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/11/08/for_republicans_in_mass_a_feeling_of_out_and_down/For Republicans in Mass., a feeling of out and down
By Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff | November 8, 2006
That thud last night was the sound of the Republican Party hitting bottom in Massachusetts.
With the end of the GOP's 16-year hold on the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, Bay State Democrats in 2007 will enjoy a political monopoly unequaled by either party in any state in the country.
In January, Democrats will hold all six statewide constitutional offices, all 12 seats in Congress, roughly 7-to-1 majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature, and all eight seats on the Governor's Council. With returns still incomplete late last night, Republicans were losing one net state Senate seat, which would drop the GOP to an all-time low of five seats in the 40-member upper chamber, and in close fights for several House seats.
The highest ranking Republican officeholders in the state will be a smattering of district attorneys and county sheriffs.
The party's slide has been so precipitous that Republicans yesterday did not contest 130 of 200 legislative seats, fielded a challenger in only three of 10 congressional districts,
and put up fewer candidates for statewide office (three) than the Green-Rainbow Party (four).
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