Will the GOP Field a Candidate in U.S. Senate Race?
Senate race will have a Democratic primary, and a Libertarian candidate has now announced. But still no Republican contender.
With local Republicans still scrambling to find someone to run in the race for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by John Kerry’s appointment to Secretary of State, other contenders who have jumped into the fray.
On Monday, Beverly Libertarian Daniel Fishman announced he would attempt to get on the ballot for the U.S. Senate special election. Fishman garnered more than 16,000 votes in the 6th Congressional District election last fall finishing third behind Congressman John Tierney and Republican candidate Richard Tisei.
"The thing I became most aware of on the campaign trail is that there is a large group of citizens in Massachusetts who are not being represented by the Democratic machine, which elects favorite sons time after time," Fishman said in a release. "Nor are they represented by the Republican party which is tied to a national platform a social tolerance policy from 1950."
Fishman announced his senate bid “in a private conversation with a few close supporters,” the release said. A campaign website has been launched at www.fishmanforsenate.com.
Republicans still appear to be struggling to find a candidate. Each day, it seems, another GOP candidate announces they aren’t going to seek the seat.
One possible contender, Fox News contributor Keith Ablow, issued a press release Monday saying he would run if Republican Party leaders unite around him, although he stated that “such unity looks improbable at this time.”
Several local Republicans considered running for the seat, but have since decided against it.
Former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey announced Monday that she would not seek election to the seat. Healey told the Globe Monday she was "grateful for the advice of those who urged her to get into the race” but said she’s decided against it.
Healey's announcement follows Scott Brown’s, Tisei’s and Tagg Romney's decisions to opt out of the race. Romney, the eldest son of former governor and 2012 Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, released a statement Monday afternoon saying that he will not run for U.S. Senate.
Two Democrats – Congressman Stephen Lynch and Congressman Edward Markey – will face off in an April Primary.
Jim O'Connor
11:02 am on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Come on Republicans. Time to step up.
SAT
11:24 am on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Dan Winslow, a former judge and current reform- minded State Rep, just announced that he's forming an exploratory committee.
Michael Soares
12:03 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Republicans are better off supporting an Independant thats going to be more moderate.
UglyHat
12:20 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I don’t blame non-Democrats for not getting into this race. There’s too much at stake for not enough return. Even if they win the special election, they’ll have to go right back into campaign mode for next year. And it’s not like a non-Dem could get anything done in Harry Reid’s Senate anyway.
Better to spend this time planning for the next real election.
Ben Jackson
1:22 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Looking forward to Senator Markey.
OFD02125
4:56 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
@ Ben, you do realize that Ed Markey is a registered Socialist, don't you ?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/35733956/DSA-Members-American-Socialist-Voter-Democratic-Socialists-of-America-10-1-09
MCREMvonStauffenfritzpellmell
7:24 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
OMG!!!! That FAKEY site about American Socialists--a new low in conservative slander. It's fake!! What WON"T you believe?? Fox is bad, but that Scribd thing is hiLARious!!! The socialists are coming!! The socialists are coming!! Lying is the new patriotism, I see...
classically-liberal
5:22 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I'm voting for Daniel Fishman. He's a great speaker and a trust-worthy individual. Doesn't get any better than that.
Jonathan Loya
11:09 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I'm voting for Dan Fishman, because I think he is once again going to surprise many political pundits with how well his message resonates with the disgruntled voters of MA. Especially if the MA Republicans can't get a good candidate, watch out for Dan!
Ben Jackson
9:02 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Yeah, except most MA voters aren't disgruntled. We like our congresspeople. We are a liberal state, despite the loud rhetoric of the minority, and we have lower than national unemployment, higher-than-national incomes, and among the highest standards-of-living and best education in the world.
MCREMvonStauffenfritzpellmell
7:29 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Oh Ben, what were you thinking? A red cloth to the bulls! The truth is not what they're interested in! Massachusetts is a GREAT state, a COMMON WEALTH (sound it out), and we are all lucky to be here!
Michael Soares
9:46 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
@benjackson I agree with your statement that most MA voters aren't disgruntled. But we are 22nd in unemployment. With the best education in the world, we should be doing better. The minority has to be loud. Otherwise they go unheard.
Michael Barrett
4:41 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Most MA voters are morons. Look at the crooks who are elected. Barney Frank who put through a special bill to bailout a supporters bank Kennedy killed a woman and went home to sleep, the affirmative action scammer Lizzy warren, John Tierney and his money laundering wife, deceased Gerry Studds sodomized a male congressional page after getting to boy drunk, John Kerry the tax dodger, etc.
Why do you think MA is a joke to the rest of the country. Thankfully the state lost a congressman do to people fleeing the state. As the population continues to drop the state will lose another, maybe two more. And texas, Georgia and florida will gain.
The fewer from MA, the better for the country.
MCREMvonStauffenfritzpellmell
7:32 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Ted Kennedy did not kill a woman. Senator Warren did not "scam" anybody. John Kerry is a war hero and now our Secretary of State. Massachusetts is the ENVY of most other states. And prophecies are as cheap as dirt.
Michael Barrett
8:19 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
I know teddy didn't kill anyone. Mary joe lived a great life and is doing well, right? Yeah kerry was a real hero. Those purple hearts for paper cut wounds were very galant. And Lizzy was doing great at low tier law schools until she called herself an indian then moved up. Yeah, you were right on. Weak sauce boy
MCREMvonStauffenfritzpellmell
8:56 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Don't you get tired of being judge, jury, executioner, and the only version? Weak boy, without cuts of any kind whatsoever.
OFD02125
3:25 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Just for fun, they should put Ted Kennedy's name on the ballot. The Democratic voters in MA are so stupid, I'd bet he'd win.
Remember, here in MA the D stands for Duh.
Ben Jackson
3:51 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thank you for your valuable, civil, and insightful contribution. Bravo, sir. Bravo. ::slow clap::
MCREMvonStauffenfritzpellmell
7:33 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Yes, and the Republican voters are SO smart, they have trouble getting even Scott Brown re-elected.
PREDATOR
3:54 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thanks also for endorsing Markey....just cant wait a day for that welfare check....huh? Much better to lose 16B a year?
Ben Jackson
3:58 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
LOL at welfare check. You right-wingers LOVE to make assumptions. Well, yo uknow what they say about those...
PREDATOR
4:04 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
You brought it up...."Looking forward to Senator Markey." What shall we assume then?
Ben Jackson
4:18 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
So your assumption is that every voter for future Senator Markey is a welfare recipient. And to that, again, I say LOL. &c.
Michael Barrett
4:28 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Markey is a careere hack. He's 66 and has been in washington since 1976. He's never worked in the private sector, doesn't even live in MA (his house is in Maryland, a $2 million place outside Wash DC).
When Markey went to DC the debt was under $2 trillion, it's over $16 trillion now. Anyone who would support a mediocre mind like Markey obviously has issues.
MCREMvonStauffenfritzpellmell
7:36 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Since when is the "private sector" the be-all and end-all of political responsibility and integrity? Since when is 66 the wrong age to contribute to the betterment of society? Since when is a politician residing in Washington a capital crime? Since when is an expensive house a proof of evil? As for mediocrity, tell us all about it...
MCREMvonStauffenfritzpellmell
9:00 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Waiting... You snipe, but you never back it up... Not a personal attack, just an observation.
Michael Soares
4:53 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Barrett, cool it a bit. Do you know Ben? If you don't you don't have any right to make assertions about his financial status. I don't like the welfare system but again don't attack people here.
OFD02125
5:04 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
@ Ben Jackson
Lol, you're welcome and I just love applause !!
And btw, it's ma'am.
Robert Rosen
5:25 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thank you to everyone who is offering their insight into this topic. But please remember to STAY ON TOPIC. We want to know if you think the GOP will field a candidate for U.S. Senator. We do not allow personal insults and attacks here. Please stick to the subject at hand.
aycaramba
9:19 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Why does Michael Barrett sound like Dick Cheney attacking John Murtha?? But back to the topic: WHY is Scott Brown not running? What deeper problem is the Republican Party thinking about that keeps them from charging into this gap? Good article, Ben!