Rep. Marc Lombardo’s bid to develop into the highest conservative chief within the Massachusetts Home subsequent legislative session appeared to already be on shaky footing solely a day after he introduced his candidacy, in line with a Herald tally of votes.
Fourteen Republicans, or a easy majority of the 25-member minority caucus for the 2025-2026 legislative session, instructed the Herald they deliberate to vote for Rep. Brad Jones, a North Studying lawmaker who has served because the Home minority chief since 2002.
Rep. Michael Soter, a Bellingham Republican who’s backing Jones, knocked Lombardo for what he stated was a spotty attendance report on the State Home.
“You actually have to show up to sessions and actually be part of the discussion if you want to lead the caucus. You actually have to take part in sessions and be engaged if you ever kind of want to show leadership,” Soter stated. “I haven’t always agreed with Brad but you know what? Brad always opened up his door. We’ve always talked about points of difference.”
Lombardo was simply reelected to his eighth time period in November and stated Wednesday that his determination to problem Jones for the place was based mostly on a necessity for legislative Republicans to mount a “stronger challenge to the Democratic Party’s one-party dominance.”
In an announcement to the Herald Thursday afternoon, Lombardo referenced former U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy’s 1971 unsuccessful bid to be reelected majority whip.
Upon shedding, Lombardo stated, Kennedy “thanked the majority of the caucus who had pledged their vote to him and also thanked the 24 people who actually voted for him.”
“Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll continue conversations with members of the caucus about a bold plan for new leadership that will champion bringing meaningful debate back to the House floor, seek to end back door deals, and drive policies that focus on making Massachusetts a better place to live and do business,” Lombardo stated.
Republicans are scheduled to huddle privately Jan. 1, the primary day of the 2025-2026 session, to vote for the following Home minority chief.
A spokesperson for Jones declined to remark Thursday however in an announcement Wednesday the minority chief stated he had the “support of the overwhelming majority of the caucus as I seek reelection.”
Reps. Donald Wong of Saugus, Paul Frost of Auburn, Todd Smola of Warren, Steven Howitt of Seekonk, John Marsi of Dudley, Marcus Vaughn of Wrentham, Hannah Kane of Shrewsbury, David DeCoste of Norwell, Norman Orrall of Lakeville, David Muradian of Grafton, Kimberly Ferguson of Holden, and Joseph McKenna of Sutton all stated they had been backing Jones, who can even vote for himself.
Consultant-elect Michael Chaisson, a Foxborough Republican, stated he too was voting for Jones. Chaisson is one in all 4 new Republican lawmakers who will take part within the January management vote.
Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, a Southwick Republican who’s a Lombardo supporter, stated it’s too early within the course of to attract conclusions as a result of “I think a lot of people might have been scared right away when they got a phone call from the minority leader of 22 years.”
“They’ve got a guy who’s a bully. He’s been there for 20 years, he’s nothing more than a bully,” Boldyga instructed the Herald Thursday. “He’s calling people, and he’s bullying them into coming out publicly in support of him because they’re absolutely terrified to do what’s right and to vote as Republicans and rebuild our caucus in a positive, energized way forward.”
However Wong, who usually covers casual classes for the Republican Caucus, additionally pointed to Lombardo’s attendance report as one of many causes he’s voting for Jones.
“(Jones’) attendance record in the State House is much better than Rep. Lombardo,” he instructed the Herald. “I think if you’re part of leadership, or the leader of the Republican Party, to know what’s going on, you should be here.”
Boldyga brushed apart the criticism of Lombardo’s appearances on the State Home.
“You’re speaking to Jones’ attack dogs that he’s unleashed with paid stipends,” Boldyga stated. “These are paid-for votes that are, of course, trying to smear Rep. Lombardo in his race for minority leader. All I know is, is that he shows up and regularly votes at the State House.”
Lombardo represents the extra conservative wing of the Republican caucus and seems to have drawn the help of Jim Lyons, a former Republican lawmaker and head of the Massachusetts Republican Get together.
In a social media publish Wednesday, Lyons criticized Jones for “failed leadership (that) will be his lasting legacy.” The publish additionally included a essential video of Jones that alleged the minority chief “sabotaged the Republican Party of Massachusetts.”
Consultant-elect Michael Gaskey, a Carver Republican, stated he’s voting for Lombardo as a result of “it’s time for a change.”
“He seems to be a pretty straight shooter, comes with some pretty good recommendations. And I’ve been watching the way the Legislature works up to this point and that was part of the reason why I was running, is because I don’t like the way things are going,” Gaskey stated.
The final public battle for Home minority chief was in 2009, when then-Rep. Lewis Evangelidis of Holden managed to corral six Republicans to again him in an tried takeover.
However Evangelidis, who now serves because the Worcester County sheriff, misplaced to Jones in a 9-7 vote, in line with Herald reporting from the time. He didn’t reply to a Herald inquiry Thursday.
Lombardo could possibly be on an analogous observe when Home Republicans meet privately to pick their chief subsequent yr.
Kane, the Republican from Shrewsbury, stated the minority chief should “be somebody who is engaged in the caucus, engaged in the committees you’re on, and engaged with your colleagues.”
“And Brad is all three of those things. He’s also been a mentor to all of us as we’ve come into the State House, and he has an inclusive approach,” Kane stated in an interview. “I haven’t seen Rep. Lombardo in months, and he has not reached out to me personally, so I have no idea what he’s thinking.”
