MA-GOV 2022 Megathread

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I can not wrap my brain around the idea that the era of moderate R governors in Massachusetts is over, at least for now, and our tiny Republican party did the deed. It's been more than 30 years since Weld was first elected.

A moderate Republican can win in 2026 or 2030 if a Democratic governor raises taxes.....Baker will not be the last Republican governor

But can a moderate Republican win the nomination? And who would that Republican be? There’s no bench for a moderate.

History shows it is possible for a moderate R to win. But as you said there's really no bench. If there's no bench, well, then it's no cigar.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I can not wrap my brain around the idea that the era of moderate R governors in Massachusetts is over, at least for now, and our tiny Republican party did the deed. It's been more than 30 years since Weld was first elected.

A moderate Republican can win in 2026 or 2030 if a Democratic governor raises taxes.....Baker will not be the last Republican governor

But can a moderate Republican win the nomination? And who would that Republican be? There’s no bench for a moderate.

History shows it is possible for a moderate R to win. But as you said there's really no bench. If there's no bench, well, then it's no cigar.

I'm not sure a bench is that important. Baker's only elected experience prior to the governorship was select board of a small town.

Interesting, I was not aware of that.
I guess then it'd depend on whether the small town/suburban voter base outside  Boston feels like it wants a Democratic governor. That depends on the strength of the D nominee and on how much they are prioritizing putting a check on the legislature.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I can not wrap my brain around the idea that the era of moderate R governors in Massachusetts is over, at least for now, and our tiny Republican party did the deed. It's been more than 30 years since Weld was first elected.

A moderate Republican can win in 2026 or 2030 if a Democratic governor raises taxes.....Baker will not be the last Republican governor

But can a moderate Republican win the nomination? And who would that Republican be? There’s no bench for a moderate.

History shows it is possible for a moderate R to win.

It seems like Trump has polarized the party so that it’s no longer possible.

We don't know yet if Trump will be a huge player in politics in 2022 (if a week is a lifetime in politics, what is a year?), let alone 2026 and 2030. Would he have some instrumental role in bringing about a permanent shift? It feels premature to say Trump has permentantly altered the MA GOP into an outfit that can never win the corner office. It could definitely happen, but that's a different bowl of clam chowder...