GOP governor’s candidates squabble over significance of endorsements

A battle over the significance of endorsements has damaged out amongst GOP candidates for governor.

Challenger Mike Minogue’s marketing campaign says the lengthy record of endorsements racked up by rivals Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve imply little or no, if something.

Former Republican nominee for governor and senate Geoff Diehl, who’s backing Minogue, tells the Herald that getting out to satisfy and collect enter from voters is far more precious.

“Endorsements didn’t decide my races, and they won’t decide this one. Mike Minogue isn’t running to impress political elites. He’s running to listen to the people of Massachusetts,” stated Diehl, who lately delivered his personal endorsement to Minogue. “While the other campaigns chase Beacon Hill approval and questionable supporters, Mike is building something real with voters.”

Minogue has been hitting the pavement since launching his marketing campaign, holding meet-and-greets and different occasions throughout the state. The GOP megadonor hasn’t been shy about utilizing his pockets both, donating tens of millions to his marketing campaign and spending early on TV ads

Diehl, who had unsuccessful bids for Massachusetts Senator in 2018 and Governor in 2022, says Kennealy and Shortsleeve are “political insiders,” including that success on the state Republican conference isn’t at all times earned by a protracted record of endorsements.

“The point we’re trying to make in this cycle is you’ve got two candidates who are political insiders who seem to think pushing out endorsements from politicians is important. It doesn’t necessarily translate to success at the convention. In fact, I think the opposite — the more you’re actually out there meeting with people and taking input from actual citizens, which is what Mike’s doing every day, the more successful you’re going to be,” stated Diehl, pointing to a current Minogue occasion.

“Mike just had an event down on the Cape with over 200 people. Mike is inviting the average Massachusetts citizen to weigh in and tell him what’s important, rather than trying to take the advice of Beacon Hill insiders,” he stated.

However Minogue’s rivals are pushing again.

Kennealy Marketing campaign Communications Director Logan Trupiano says Minogue is “disrespecting voters,” calling out Minogue for his previous donations to Democrats in addition to current feedback he made on WBUR, the place he appeared to distance himself from the Republican Get together, amongst different issues.

“Mike Minogue is a mega donor to Ed Markey and the Massachusetts Democratic Party who, by his own admission, feels no association with the Republican Party that he joined a few months ago for the sole purpose of running for Governor and seeing himself on TV,” Trupiano stated.

“After months of declining invitations to meet the grassroots, he’s now telling moderators he needs at least six more months of coaching before he’s ready to stand on a debate stage with Mike Kennealy.  Minogue should stop claiming he will be a ‘new kind of Governor’ because there is nothing new about disrespecting the intelligence of voters – Maura Healey does it daily,” Trupiano stated.

As for the Shortsleeve marketing campaign, strategist Holly Robichaud says Minogue is solely “frustrated” that his spending on marketing campaign ads haven’t translated to success.

“Brian Shortsleeve is winning support across the Commonwealth because he has a proven record of reforming government, balancing budgets, cutting costs and creating jobs. He will make Massachusetts affordable by slashing Maura Healey’s insane taxes, fees and regulations…Mike Minogue is frustrated because he spent millions of dollars on television to say nothing and wonders why he isn’t making any progress with his campaign,” Robichaud informed the Herald.

“If Republicans are going to defeat Healey, it’s going to take more than a big checkbook. We need to offer a stark contrast and a better path forward, not a fainter version of her happy talk,” she stated.

Diehl’s criticisms come because the Shortsleeve and Kennealy campaigns proceed to garner assist. Final week, the 2 candidates introduced a prolonged record of recent endorsements, with Kennealy boasting 22 new endorsements with Shortsleeve saying one other 14 for himself.

The Minogue camp’s criticisms, nevertheless, don’t cease on the push to spotlight endorsements.

Diehl stated the backing collected by Minogue’s rivals is a results of insider connections by their previous work within the Baker Administration. Shortsleeve was the MBTA’s first-ever Chief Administrator from 2015-2017, whereas Kennealy served as former Gov. Charlie Baker’s Secretary of Housing and Financial Improvement.

“Mike got into this without insider connections. He’s a self-made, successful businessman who is never going to be beholden to cutting deals on the campaign trail or in office. He’s spending his time listening to voters — not chasing the approval of Beacon Hill,” Diehl stated. “Mike is letting actual citizens tell him what matters. The other campaigns are pushing out endorsements from the same political insiders who’ve been running this place for years.”

Mingoue, Kennealy and Shortsleeve will face off within the Republican major in September.