Conservative Republican Geoff Diehl’s puzzling gubernatorial candidacy in deep blue Massachusetts is the longest of lengthy pictures however there may very well be a pathway to make the race extra aggressive.
Diehl is relying on an anticipated nationwide pink wave to spill over into the liberal Bay State, forging a race out of what most Democrats and others are already sure is a coronation for Attorney General Maura Healey.
The former state rep, carrying an endorsement from Donald Trump, must win over conservative Democrats and independents in closely Democratic Massachusetts to have any probability.
And it’s been finished earlier than. Voters right here don’t at all times observe the cookie-cutter script. Look at what occurred to dwelling state favourite Elizabeth Warren within the 2020 Democratic major.
And earlier than that, from Scott Brown to Mitt Romney to Charlie Baker, Republicans have gained statewide by cobbling collectively a coalition of disaffected Dems and right-leaning independents to stun the favored — and normally overconfident — Democratic nominee.
What was it about Brown that propelled him to his gorgeous victory over Martha Coakley? Something was effervescent up within the Massachusetts citizens that nobody predicted. And Romney — who was branded as conservative in his gubernatorial bid — managed to defeat Democrat Shannon O’Brien regardless of Romney’s ties to Utah.
But can Diehl actually discover the Republican magic sauce to take down Healey, who’s in such a commanding place that not even one other Democrat is prepared to take her on?
Trump’s endorsement will assist Diehl beat his little identified GOP opponent, Chris Doughty, within the major but it surely may very well be a double-edged sword within the normal election — turning off Democrats who could be inclined to try Diehl.
But there are different components that might weigh in Diehl’s favor as he seems to be the newest Republican to win a gubernatorial race.
Healey’s lack of a Democratic opponent might truly be a detriment within the normal election, leaving her with no momentum that profitable major candidates usually get.
Democrats, polls exhibiting Healey clobbering Diehl in a normal election matchup, might simply get smug and complacent once more after a non-contested major. They’ve finished it earlier than.
Healey has run a protected but lackluster marketing campaign thus far as a result of she has no opponent. Can she rev up her supporters for an opponent she’s assumed to overwhelm?
Diehl can also be latching himself onto the hassle to repeal the Democratic invoice giving drivers’ licenses to Massachusetts residents with out authorized standing.
And he’s additionally attached with Republicans who’re making an attempt to present motorists a tax break on gasoline — a difficulty that might have resonance even in liberal Massachusetts.
Diehl can also be relying on the temper of the nation shifting away from Democrats within the midterm elections. Even in San Francisco and Los Angeles, liberals have been upset this yr.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”