And The New Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party Is…

Peter Torkildsen!

We at Hub Politics would like to congratulate the new Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman. It’s now time to rebuild the party!

UPDATE: Hub Politics presents to you audio of the vote count and Peter Torkildsen’s victory speech:

MP3 File

The vote count was as follows (64 voting members present, 33 votes required for a majority):

Bob Parks: 0
Darrel Crate: 1
Larry Frisoli: 3
Joe Manzoli: 6
Jeff Beatty: 7
Ken Chase: 10
Peter Torkildsen: 37

It was an interesting night to say the least. The ridiculously small number of voting members present was too difficult to ignore. Notably absent from the event was Kerry Healey, a former chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, and the party’s most recent gubernatorial candidate.

The Lack of Tact Award goes to Ken Chase, who must still be patting himself on the back for challenging Ted Kennedy last year that in his speech, he had no reservations about bashing Chairman Darrel Crate, who was presiding over the meeting and standing a couple feet away. “We need a chairman who pays a mortgage, not a butler,” Chase said. Though, some might argue the Party didn’t need a chairman who has been on Judge Mathis… but no one brought that up.

Truth be told, there was some bitterness in the air, but I believe the Party is ready to move forward and rebuild.

Hub Politics Interviews Joe Manzoli, Candidate for Mass GOP Chair

Hub Politics recently had the opportunity to interview Joe Manzoli, who is now running for chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. The interview was conducted via email, and is part of Hub Politics’ coverage of the Mass GOP Chairman race.

HUB POLITICS: Why do you want to be chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party?

JOE MANZOLI: With over 30 years experience in helping to elect Republicans, I had a choice, to jump on a life boat and watch the ship sink or take control and stir the party in the right direction. I chose to take the later.

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Hub Politics Interviews Stephanie Davis, Candidate for Mass GOP Chair

Hub Politics recently had the opportunity to interview Stephanie Davis, who is now running for chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. The interview was conducted via email, and is part of Hub Politics’ coverage of the Mass GOP Chairman race.

HUB POLITICS: Why do you want to be chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party?

STEPHANIE DAVIS: I like to win, and feel that Republicans have a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on the fiscal and social policy “time-bombs” currently embedded in Massachusetts’ government structure. The so-called “health-care reform” bill is one example, as is the on-going expansion of Massachusetts government. I anticipate an implosion and want to play a part in it. It’s also a way, but not the only way, to fight for the type of government I believe in.

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Hub Politics Interviews Ron Vining, Candidate for Mass GOP Chair

Hub Politics recently had the opportunity to interview Ron Vining who is now running for chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. The interview was conducted via email, and is part of Hub Politics’ coverage of the Mass GOP Chairman race.

HUB POLITICS: Why do you want to be chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party?

RON VINING: Though a crushing blow, having been a grassroots, Republican activist for twenty of my thirty-six years, I see last November’s election as a great opportunity for us to reshape and redefine our Party from the bottom-upward.

A possible purging of this sort would be unlikely as long as we held control of the corner office. Sometimes you have to loose it all, have to have your back against the wall, to get “hungry” if you will. We now have the chance to start over and make things right if we select the right leader. This is critical, because if we select the wrong one, it will be more of the same and without an executive office holder, we cannot afford business as usual.

Having come from the grassroots, working my way up from sign holder to city committee chairman, from elected official to national / state-wide campaign operative, I embody our Party’s future. As a professional strategic management and communications consultant who is also an articulate spokesperson and seasoned campaigner, I am an aggressive grassroots activist who will roll up his sleeves and get dirty mixing it up with the Democrats at every turn. While touring our great Commonwealth, I will be focused on raising money, recruiting candidates and building our City and Town Committees so that we will have the resources, candidates and infrastructure to build our Party.

I am running because too much is at stake to simply leave it in the hands of someone else. If you want to get the job done right, do it yourself – I am that type of person and I have the experience and qualifications to set our Party on the right course!

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Hub Politics Interviews Bob Parks, Candidate for Mass GOP Chair

Hub Politics recently had the opportunity to interview Bob Parks who is now running for chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. The interview was conducted via email, and is part of Hub Politics’ coverage of the Mass GOP Chairman race.

HUB POLITICS: Why do you want to be chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party?

BOB PARKS: Well, it’s certainly not for the paycheck.

But seriously, whoever becomes the next Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party had better be someone who can articulate the issues in a way that doesn’t repel the electorate, but makes those on the other side at least understand where we’re coming from and respect our position. Republicans have been called racist, bigoted, homophobes purely as a political tactic. American history tells a whole other story, but the liberal media has perpetuated a lie about us that is slanderous and one that I will actively rebut.

I’ve written many columns over the years, some published right here in Hub Politics, and those who’ve read my work know that I’m fair, cheer when we’re right (which is most of the time), will eat our own when we’re wrong, and will promote Republicanism at all costs. The next Chairman must be able to define who we are and not leave that to those who oppose us.

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