The Massachusetts Republican Social gathering tapped Rep. Marcus Vaughn, a Republican from Wrentham, to supply a rebuttal to Gov. Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth deal with subsequent week, a yearly speech the place the governor is predicted to stipulate prime priorities.
The get together turned to a lawmaker who they argue is on the frontlines of the state’s effort to react to an inflow of migrants — his district is dwelling to a Norfolk jail turned migrant shelter — and a rising star amongst Massachusetts conservatives.
MassGOP spokesman Logan Trupiano stated Vaughn is tackling the challenges of elevated migrants in Massachusetts “head-on in his district” and is a “dynamic” chief.
“Recently, he triumphed in his second election, which was touted as a competitive race — but he far exceeded expectations,” Trupiano stated in an announcement to the Herald. “A dedicated family man and small business owner, Rep. Vaughn embodies the future of the party here in Massachusetts.”
Vaughn is a second-term legislator who represents Norfolk, Plainville, Wrentham, and elements of Medfield, Millis, and Walpole. He beat Democrat Kevin Kalkut with greater than 57% of the vote within the November election, in accordance with state information.
Healey’s second State of the Commonwealth deal with might supply extra perception into the governor’s third-year priorities and monetary yr 2026 finances proposal.
It would come because the first-term Democrat is grappling with the fallout of high-profile crimes at state-run shelters housing migrants and native residents, the state’s highest courtroom putting down key housing rules, and days earlier than President-elect Donald Trump is ready to take workplace.
Vaughn will converse after Healey’s speech, which is scheduled to start out at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16, in accordance with the governor’s workplace.
Sen. Peter Durant, a Spencer Republican, gave the Republican rebuttal to Healey’s deal with final yr. He painted a bleak image of a state spending billions on shelters, tax revenues in decline, and residents fleeing for different states that have been extra reasonably priced.
“As we enter 2024, we find ourselves asking some simple, yet familiar, questions: Are we better off today than we were 12 months ago, and are we headed in a direction that will make us better off? Unfortunately, for too many families the answer is ‘no,’” Durant stated.
