MassGOP: Republican State Committee Sabotaging Three Key Races, Betraying Its Own Voters

Massachusetts — January 15, 2026

If the Massachusetts Republican Party made it any more obvious that they dislike real conservatives, critics say they might as well call OCPF and ask to be renamed the Democratic State Committee. Once again, Republican State Committee members are being accused of doing the opposite of what their role demands, strengthening the party by supporting viable candidates, not undermining them.

In Fall River, the controversy centers on a Republican challenge in a State Senate race for the First Bristol and Plymouth District, a seat long held by career politician Michael J. Rodrigues. Republican candidate Manny Silva had already been actively campaigning to take on Rodrigues when State Committee member Boomer Ameral entered the race. Ameral, who has twice lost runs for Fall River City Council and recently lost a mayoral bid after Carlos Cesar Sabitass endorsed a Democrat over a Republican, is now seen by many as splitting the Republican vote in a race that requires unity to defeat a deeply entrenched incumbent.

Candidate Manny Silva pointed to Ameral’s poor attendance record on the Republican State Committee, noting that he frequently fails to show up for meetings while now positioning himself as a late entrant in a high-stakes Senate race. Grassroots Republicans argue that this pattern reflects a lack of seriousness and commitment, particularly when the goal should be consolidating support behind a single strong challenger to Rodrigues.

Further east, a similar dispute has emerged in the 2nd Plymouth District. Republican State Committee member Mark Townsend, twice elected to his party post, announced his candidacy for State Representative against incumbent Republican John R. Gaskey. Townsend’s announcement emphasized affordability, accountability, and the need for someone who “shows up, listens, and does the work,” language that immediately drew criticism from conservatives who say Gaskey already fulfills those responsibilities.

Gaskey has built a solid conservative record, including strong support for protecting women’s sports through MFI-related efforts and backing legislation to improve access to clean drinking water. Party activists argue that challenging an incumbent Republican with a proven record in a competitive district only weakens the party’s position and risks handing Democrats an advantage.

The frustration extends to a recent special election, where conservative candidate Ashley Sullivan, who nearly won her previous race and enjoys strong grassroots support, announced her candidacy. Sullivan is a vocal opponent of offshore wind development and an active member of the New England Conservative Coalition, and she has already worked to help draft strong legislation. Despite her proven record and experience, the State Committee instead threw support behind no-name candidate Christina Delisio. Conservatives say this move is baffling and unfair, as Sullivan clearly embodies the values and leadership the party claims to champion, while Delisio brings neither experience nor voter support. Together, these candidacies have fueled accusations that the MassGOP is cannibalizing its own voters, undermining strong conservatives, and putting internal politics ahead of winning elections.

As these three contentious races illustrate, the Massachusetts Republican Party risks alienating its own base by prioritizing internal politics over principled leadership and electoral success. Conservatives warn that unless the party rallies behind proven candidates like Manny Silva, John R. Gaskey, and Ashley Sullivan, it will continue to fracture its voter base, hand victories to Democrats, and undermine the very values it claims to uphold. For grassroots Republicans, the message is clear: unity behind strong, experienced conservatives is the only path to winning and safeguarding the future of the party in Massachusetts.