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May 4, 2004
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Keeping a promise Gov. Mitt Romney made to challenge the Democrats' overwhelming dominance of the state Legislature, 133 GOP candidates will run for the State House this fall.
Republicans hold an abysmal 29 seats in the 200-member Legislature, not enough to sustain a gubernatorial veto.
A robust challenge to the status quo is badly needed on Beacon Hill. Healthy debate and differing viewpoints and priorities are essential to a feisty democracy. Instead, recent tradition at the State House has bred a feisty autocracy, especially in the House of Representatives.
Romney's three Republican predecessors as governor promised to breathe life into a moribund party but never followed through. Romney has reiterated his pledge for two years and now has proof in the candidates.
The GOP says it has $500,000 in the bank and can spend money to help candidates in winnable districts.
On the South Shore, Democrats who will see a challenge include Senators Therese Murray of Plymouth, Marc Pacheco of Taunton, Brian Joyce of Milton and Robert Creedon of Brockton. In House districts, Republicans will oppose Kathleen Teahan of Whitman, Joseph Driscoll of Braintree, a first-termer who won a close race last year, and James Murphy of Weymouth.
In Walpole, the departure of Sen. JoAnn Sprague leaves an open seat that two Republicans and a Democrat are eyeing.
In the last four election cycles, Republicans have been on the ballot for fewer than 80 seats. Democrats have dismissed the Republican effort, which is unfortunate. No office holder should take his or her seat for granted.
Copyright 2004 The Patriot Ledger Transmitted Tuesday, May 04, 2004
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