January 25, 2013
Dear Republican State Committee Member,
As members of the House and Senate Republican Caucuses, hailing from the Cape Cod Canal to the Pioneer Valley and points in-between, we are proud to enthusiastically endorse Kirsten Hughes as the next Chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party. We ask you, our dedicated GOP friends and colleagues, to join us in supporting Kirsten.
Kirsten is known to many within the Party and has been an active participant in Republican endeavors for many years. From serving as a field coordinator for the Party when the Massachusetts House more than doubled its numbers, to serving as Senator Scott Brown's Deputy Finance Director at a time when the campaign fundraised a record $42 million, Kirsten has demonstrated her commitment to the ideals and goals of the Republican Party.
Additionally, Kirsten rolled up her sleeves and dove headfirst into local politics. Serving as the first woman ever elected to the Quincy City Council, Kirsten prevailed in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 9 to 1 - no easy feat! With her experience on the City Council, she is keenly aware of and appreciates the trials and tribulations which we face daily on Beacon Hill.
Last November was a trying time for Republicans in Massachusetts. Our party suffered hard-fought losses in races ranging from Washington D.C. to Beacon Hill all the way to Main Street. However, our candidates stayed true to their principles, and sought to bring a voice to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. While the results were not what we had hoped for and worked towards, the lessons we learned were invaluable.
We know Kirsten has the right qualities to lead our Party at this extremely pivotal time, especially during the special elections we will endure this year and throughout next year's mid-term elections. Kirsten has the proven track record necessary to lead our Party forward - tackling major fundraising, working closely with grassroots activists, and advancing the Republican message in largely Democratic communities.
As you are aware, our work has already begun. Massachusetts Democrats have already stated their intention to avenge the special-election loss of 2010. The 2013 and 2014 campaign cycles will be some of the hardest we will ever fight. Not only are the Democrats intent on once again retaining both of the Commonwealth's United States Senate seats, they are looking to build upon the gains made on Beacon Hill.
The individuals joining us in endorsing Kirsten are seasoned veterans and political newcomers. Regardless of tenure, the collective group understands the necessity of selecting a party leader who will prioritize candidates at all levels, while implementing and maintaining an aggressive and effective fundraising strategy. To many, this may sound like a daunting task. To Kirsten, it is a challenge worth tackling because she believes, wholeheartedly, in the cause - the Massachusetts Republican Party.
The time has come to address our Party's future. We must rally around Kirsten and enter the upcoming special elections as a unified party - united we will stand and prosper, divided we will suffer. We will undoubtedly have differences of opinions on various issues, but at the end of the day we all agree that we want our communities, our state, and our Party to thrive.
We hope you will join us in supporting Kirsten Hughes for State Party Chairwoman and as always, thank you for all you do to support us. We look forward to working with you and our new Chair towards a victorious 2013 and 2014!
Respectfully,
Bradley H. Jones, Jr.
House Republican Leader
Bruce E. Tarr
Senate Minority Leader
On behalf of:
F. Jay Barrows
State Representative
Matthew Beaton
State Representative
Vinny deMacedo
Ranking Republican, House Ways & Means
Angelo L. D'Emilia
State Representative
Geoff Diehl
State Representative
Kimberly N. Ferguson
State Representative
Paul K. Frost
State Representative
Susan Williams Gifford
State Representative
Bradford R. Hill
House Republican Whip
Steven S. Howitt
State Representative
Michael Knapik
Ranking Republican, Senate Ways & Means
George N. Peterson, Jr.
Assistant House Republican Leader
Elizabeth A. Poirier
Assistant House Republican Whip
Richard J. Ross
Senate Republican Whip
Donald H. Wong
State Representative
