OPINION: Endorsing in the Dark, the MassGOP’s Unethical Push for John Deaton by Ashley Marie, District Representative, New England Conservative Coalition

Last week I was scrolling through my social media feed and was in the most glorious mood… until I wasn’t. It was brought to my attention that the Massachusetts Republican State Committee (MAGOP) met and held an endorsement vote for their “candidate” against Edward Markey, John Deaton. Now normally that wouldn’t be a problem, and we would be applauding the party for all being on the same page, but there’s a massive issue with this “endorsement” and the way it was handled — the deadline to submit your name as a candidate has yet to pass, so we don’t know that he’s the only candidate. In fact, you can’t even pull papers yet. You can pick up papers to run for Senate on February 10th, 2026, and must return them with 10,000 verified signatures by March 3rd, 2026. Which means potential candidates have 4 whole months to come forward, announce their intent to run, and submit signatures. Their message to Republicans in the state is loud and clear, “We’ve picked our favorite in this race and are helping fund his campaign, don’t even bother wasting your time.”

Wonder why candidates step forward no longer!? Why would they waste their time when they are not only up against the Democrats, but also the establishment of their own dang party!? Which is why this is so unethical!! Why would people step forward as a potential candidate when their own party goes out of their way to shut them down!? They’ve pretty much fixed the race at this point, to solidify “funding” from the national party as they’ve driven the state party into the ground!! And while they may be able to pull such a thing under the current bylaws (it might be time to change that, by the way), it doesn’t mean it’s ethical. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. It’s unethical, unfair, discourages Republican involvement and participation, pushes away potential candidates (viable ones at that), burns bridges if someone does decide to run and wins, and causes serious mistrust within the Republican ranks. That’s without getting into the candidate and the things that were said and done during his last race. (That deserves its own article in its entirety.)

Further, it sets a standard going forward that neither side of the “divided” Republican State Committee has considered — what happens when the “establishment” has the majority and decides to endorse their own before a grassroots conservative announces his intent to enter the race? And vice versa!! They are defending and normalizing something that could later come back down on them and be used against them!! If they really, truly wanted to endorse this candidate, they should have waited until the deadline to vote to endorse. Even if no one else decided to run, THAT should be the maintained standard. THAT is what’s fair and just. This vote has only set us up for more chaos, more mistrust, more division, etc!! Not to mention, I was unaware we have now turned our backs on our morals and values, in the name of a “Republican win” and a few dollars to their “chosen” candidate (we all know how that works and how money gets dispersed).

Republicans in this state have become their own worst enemy. Until they begin representing the grassroots conservatives that make up the lifeblood of our party and begin upholding the conservative morals and values they claim to represent, things will only continue to get worse within the party. If you’re going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk!! (Why would people participate in things they think are wrong and that enable corruption? They wouldn’t!!) And boy, is it so unbelievably disappointing… I can only hope and pray that one day the party gets it together, begins to represent us, and remains neutral throughout their endeavors… but in the meantime, I sit back and can only think, “What’s next?”