Hundreds flocked to Danvers to rally for the endorsed GOP candidate
DANVERS, Mass. — Three days after Mike Minogue won the Massachusetts Republican State Convention and secured the Republican endorsement in a 70.4% landslide, the party came together in force. Approximately 600 Republican leaders and grassroots activists united alongside him at a unity rally, joined by those who had previously been undecided or supporting other candidates and are now part of Team Minogue, all focused squarely on winning in November. Speakers reflected the breadth of that support, with voices from across the party coming together behind Minogue and the shared goal of defeating Maura Healey.
Mike Minogue did something never before done as a candidate for the MassGOP. Minogue was the first governor candidate in last 80+ years to receive 70% of the vote on the first ballot against two opponents and kept both at or below 15%, eliminating one outright. The result underscores what voters across the Commonwealth have been saying: they are looking for a new kind of leader and governor.
No candidate who has earned 70% or more of the delegate vote has ever lost a primary, and no candidate receiving 15% has ever gone on to win.
Republican National Committeewoman Janet Fogarty and National Committeeman Brad Wyatt kicked off the evening with their official endorsement of Minogue, calling on Republicans across Massachusetts to come together and focus on winning in November.
“Mike Minogue has run a positive, forward-looking campaign focused on results and is best positioned to unify Republicans, appeal to independents, and lead the fight for accountability, reform, and principled leadership in Massachusetts” Republican National Committeewoman Janet Fogarty stated in her endorsement announcement.
“What we have to do, and you all have to tell everyone you know, is to get behind our winner [Mike Minogue] here, because we need to take back the corner office on Beacon Hill,” Fogarty said to attendees. “It’s the only way that we will be able to help all our candidates up and down the ballot. And that’s why we are coming out today and saying, ‘Hey, the general election starts right now.’”
Other speakers included:
Tony Ventresca, State Committeeman for the 4th Middlesex District
Massachusetts GOP Executive Director Haley Jones (who read supportive remarks on behalf of MA GOP Chair Amy Carnevale, who was traveling)
Micah Jones, Candidate for MA-06
Michael Walsh, Candidate for MA Attorney General
Elizabeth Dionne, Candidate for MA Treasurer
Anne Brensley, Candidate for MA Lt. Governor
Patrick Burns (who delivered supportive remarks on behalf of U.S. Senate GOP candidate John Deaton, who was traveling)
Michael Scarlata, State Committeeman for the 1st Essex & Middlesex District
North Andover RTC Chair Kevin Dube
Former Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson
Todd Angeli sang the national anthem
Fr. Paul Flammia gave the opening prayer
State Committeeman Mike Scarlata told attendees, “The mission is clear: Victory in November. Starting today we must come together, stay focused, unite the Republican Party, and pool all our resources to winning the corner office in Beacon Hill.”
During his remarks, Minogue asked the crowd to applaud his primary opponents, as he thanked them for the courage and commitment to enter the arena.
“I know that my opponents put their hearts into it. They also want to serve, and I do want to recognize them for a race, because I say this was all sincerity, they made me a better candidate. So, I want to thank them for their efforts as well,” said Minogue.
Minogue welcomed them and their supporters to Team Minogue as Republicans turn their sights on Maura Healey.
“If you were there Saturday and you weren’t supporting me, thank you for being engaged and supporting the process. That’s what it takes. Welcome, because we are now a team,” said Minogue during his remarks. “We need to work together. Because if we work together, we can again make Massachusetts the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”