Rep. Marc Lombardo, a Billerica Republican, introduced plans Wednesday to run for the highest conservative submit within the Massachusetts Home, a transfer that instantly pitted him in opposition to a longtime incumbent and set off a firestorm inside the precise wing of the chamber.
Lombardo, who was simply reelected to his eighth time period, mentioned his choice to problem Rep. Brad Jones of North Studying was primarily based partially on a necessity inside the Republican Caucus to mount a “stronger challenge to the Democratic Party’s one-party dominance.”
Jones has held the spot “for more than half my life,” Lombardo mentioned, all whereas Beacon Hill “operates more as a uni-party than it does having any opposition voice.”
“We need to put those days of taking crumbs off the table in exchange for parking spots and stipends and put them to a side and represent the voice of the taxpayers, listen to the will of the voters when they tell us they want the Legislature audited, listen to the taxpayers when they tell us the cost of living in Massachusetts is too high,” Lombardo mentioned in an interview.
Home Republicans will vote for his or her subsequent chief on Jan. 1 throughout a non-public assembly with the caucus’ 25 members forward of their swearing-in. Lombardo is the primary public problem to Jones’ management since 2009, when Jones fended off former Rep. Lew Evangelidis.
Jones, who was elected to his sixteenth time period in November and first joined the Home in 1995, mentioned he already has “the support of the overwhelming majority of the caucus.”
“I have enjoyed the productive discussions with Republican colleagues about how we can work together as we head into the 2025-2026 session. I look forward to continuing to serve as House Minority Leader come Jan. 1,” Jones mentioned in an announcement shortly after Lombardo’s announcement.
In saying his run for Home minority chief, Lombardo mentioned he needs to refocus the caucus on “sound fiscal management,” public security, authorities accountability, and transparency within the Legislature.
He mentioned there are “growing concerns about the Democratic Party’s unchecked control over state government and the perceived need for a reinvigorated opposition.”
“The current Republican leadership has repeatedly failed to be a voice of reason at a time when Democrats continue to pass laws that are crippling the economy and making Massachusetts one of the most expensive states in the country to live in,” he mentioned in an announcement.
However a few of Lombardo’s Home Republican colleagues met his candidacy with skepticism.
Rep. Paul Frost, an Auburn Republican who serves in Home Republican management, mentioned he’ll vote for Jones and he doesn’t see Lombardo as a “serious candidate at all.”
“I mean Marc Lombardo would actually have to come into the building and advocate for people to vote for him to do the job,” Frost informed the Herald. “He brings nothing to the caucus and has brought nothing to the caucus. I don’t understand why now, all of a sudden, he thinks he’d be the right person to lead us. I don’t even know if he’s got anybody more to follow him.”
Others have been supportive of Lombardo.
Rep. Nick Boldyga, a Southwick Republican, mentioned he’s backing Lombardo as a result of Jones has made “no progress” for the Republican caucus throughout his time as its chief, and conservatives within the Home “need to rebuild the party.”
He mentioned Jones declaring he already has the assist of an “overwhelming majority” of Home Republicans is “unfortunate.”
“I think the people that we actually have with us are Republicans who still believe … in debating legislation at the State House. They still believe in helping working-class citizens. And I think they’re terrified. I think they’re afraid to come out against somebody who’s been there for 22 years, who’s really a swamp creature at best,” he mentioned. “I mean the man’s been institutionalized for God’s sake. I hope they come to their senses over the next couple of weeks.”
Rep. Todd Smola, a Warren Republican who serves because the rating minority member of the Home budget-writing committee, mentioned he’s supporting Jones as a result of he’s a “strong leader” in Massachusetts who works nicely with different conservatives.
“I think the last thing that we need to do is have a fight internally given the fact that we came off a strong national election, the wind is at the backs of the Republican Party,” Smola informed the Herald.
Rep. Joe McKenna, a Sutton Republican, mentioned he too would assist Jones however acknowledged that Lombardo’s candidacy “shows that there is some interest in the caucus to be a little bit more conservative.”
“I look forward to having that conversation with Leader Jones, who I do intend to vote for,” McKenna informed the Herald. “I think that we as a caucus can work to be more conservative and aggressive as Republicans, to be in front on the issues, and I hope that Brad is willing to work towards that.”
