State Representative Geoff Diehl is as hard-core a Donald Trump-supporting Republican as any political figure in the state. But a decade ago, Diehl, now a leading candidate for his party’s US Senate nomination, was voting true blue.
It all began in 1996, when Diehl first registered to vote as a Democrat. He was diligent in carrying out his civic duties, casting votes in some of the state’s most liberal brawls. He voted in the 2006 gubernatorial primary when Deval Patrick pulled off a sweeping victory over Attorney General Tom Reillyand wealthy education advocate Chris Gabrieli.
His chief political adviser, Holly Robichaud, said Diehl voted for the moderate Reilly. And in the general election, she said, he rejected the liberal Patrick and instead voted for the GOP nominee, Kerry Healey.
Two years later, he cast a vote for Joe Biden — over front-runners Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton — in the state Democratic presidential primary.
Why?
“To try to stop Clinton and Obama,’’ Robichaud said.
Of course, the chances of Biden stopping those rivals had evaporated a month earlier when the Delaware Democrat officially bowed out of the race after placing fifth in the Iowa caucuses. His name could not be removed from the Massachusetts ballot before the vote.
If he did cast a vote for the future vice president, Diehl would have been one of two votes for Biden in the town of Whitman’s Precinct 3, where Clinton trounced Obama, 368 to 193. John Edwards, who dropped out a week before the Massachusetts primary, came in third, ahead of Biden with 18 votes.
In the state primary election six months later, Diehl would have had a choice for the US Senate Democratic nomination: incumbent John Kerry seeking reelection or Gloucester attorney Ed O’Reilly.
“He doesn’t remember Kerry having a primary,’’ Robichaud said.
In the 2008 general election, Robichaud said Diehl rejected his party’s nominee, voting for GOP candidate Jeffrey Beatty over Kerry.
She said he then cast a vote in the general election for GOP presidential nominee John McCain over Obama.
Diehl, who co-chaired Donald Trump’s state campaign in the 2016 presidential race, is now a strong favorite to win next month’s Republican convention endorsement of his Senate campaign. His opponents include Beth Lindstrom, a longtime activist in state Republican Party politics, and wealthy businessman John Kingston, who used his funds to rally the GOP to reject Trump 2016. The winner will challenge incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren.
Knowing that Diehl’s little-known political history could potentially undercut his support among delegates to the state GOP convention next month, Robichaud did what all good Republicans do when having to explain such political heresies: She wrapped her candidate around Ronald Reagan, a famous onetime Democrat who is now a GOP icon.
“Like Ronald Reagan, Geoff grew up in a Democrat household and left when he realized the party no longer stood up for working people,’’ Robichaud said. “He is a regular person and small business owner.’’
Frank Phillips
Friends recall Democratic strategist
The Massachusetts Democratic political universe gathered Wednesday in Boston for the funeral of Chuck Campion, a veteran political operative who brought enthusiasm to campaigns local and presidential and was celebrated for his unbounded generosity, his joyful devotion to his family, his resilience in battles with health ailments, and, as the Rev. Thomas A. Mahoneyput it, for being “a beautiful example of a graceful and dignified life in a very imperfect world.’’
Campion, who died last week at 62 of complications from surgery, was remembered for his acts of kindness, humor, loyalty to family, friends, and the politicians he worked with, and his astute political sense, honed on the streets of Boston from a young age.
John F. Kerryremembered getting a call from Campion in 2003 as the then-US senator was ramping up his presidential campaign. Campion asked if Kerry would be attending the St. Patrick’s Day breakfast and political roast in South Boston. It was not long after the Globe had written about Kerry’s paternal grandparents’ Jewish roots, and as Kerry was recuperating from surgery.
“Chuck, I just had my prostate removed. I’m in bed. I think they’ll understand if I’m not there,’’ Kerry, in a eulogy, recalled saying.
“Buddy,’’ Kerry said Campion replied, “if you don’t show up, you’re going to feel like somebody just put your prostate back in!’’
The hundreds in attendance at St. Cecilia church in the Back Bay roared with laughter.
“Chuck, as always, had a point,’’ Kerry said. “But the good thing about Chuck is he also had a plan.’’
Campion negotiated Kerry’s surprise appearance at the breakfast and crafted his line, which made national news and won over the tough crowd in Southie: “Who said I don’t have the matzo balls to be here?’’
Among the many political, business, and media heavyweights at Campion’s funeral were US Senator Edward J. Markey, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, US Representative Joe Kennedy III, Bank of America vice chairwoman Anne M. Finucane, MSNBC contributor Mike Barnicle, longtime Democratic operative Thomas J. Keady Jr., and former lieutenant governor Thomas P. O’Neill III.
Up-and-coming pols and political pros whom Campion mentored were there, too. They included state Senator Eric P. Lesserand Mike Firestone, Attorney General Maura Healey’schief of staff.
Campion was a cofounder of the powerhouse firm Dewey Square Group, and his colleagues were out in force, among them Lynda Tocci, Charles A. Baker III, Michael Whouley, Paul M. Pezzella, and Mary Anne Marsh.
The robust crowd, and the many clergymen who took part in the service, drew huzzahs from those remembering Campion, who had reveled in crafting countless successful events during his long career in politics.
“This morning,’’ Kerry said, “Chuck is looking down on St. Cecilia’s and, I’m pretty sure, he just turned to St. Peter, and he said, ‘Hey buddy, what a turnout. Look at it — nine priests!’ ’’
Joshua Miller
Field in Suffolk DA race grows
There are now four candidates vying for the job held by Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, whose announcement last month that he will not seek reelection has sparked what is expected to be a heated race for the seat.
Rachael Rollins, former chief legal counsel of the Massachusetts Port Authority and former president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, is the latest candidate to announce her plans to run.
A former state and federal prosecutor whose cases included white collar crime, fraud, and drug and gun offenses, Rollins said she would create a more transparent office committed to criminal justice reform.
“The district attorney is charged with ensuring the safety of the residents of Suffolk County and obtaining justice for victims. They also serve as the moral backbone of the criminal justice system, assuring equity and fairness in the process for everyone.’’ Rollins said in a prepared statement. “We deserve a system where addiction, poverty and mental illness are not criminalized; where socio-economic status and race don’t increase the likelihood that someone is incarcerated; and where the district attorney, prosecutors, and members of law enforcement are a true reflection of the rich diversity in the communities that they are sworn to protect and serve.’’
Rollins joins a field that includes Suffolk prosecutor and former teacher Greg Henning; ShannonMacAuliffe, a defense attorney and former head of ROCA, a youth center based in Chelsea; and state Representative Evandro C. Carvalho, a former prosecutor in Conley’s office.
Maria Cramer
Ex-congressman takes lobbyist role
When Frank Guinta first ran for the New Hampshire congressional seat he won eight years ago, he was quick to criticize one of his biggest challengers for being a lobbyist.
Now, after being defeated in 2016 . . . well, you know where this is going.
A full year out of office, Guinta has joined ML Strategies, the lobbying arm of the Mintz Levin law firm. ML Strategies is the largest lobbying firm in Massachusetts, according to the Boston Business Journal. He joins the firm’s Washington office.
In addition to serving two terms in Congress, Guinta also served as the mayor of Manchester.
“Frank will bring a great value to our clients given his years of experience in and his keen understanding of the intersection of business and government,’’ said Stephen P. Tocco, chairman and chief executive officer of ML Strategies.
Guinta could not be reached for comment.
James Pindell
Senator applies to be Lowell city manager
State Senator Eileen Donoghue, a Lowell Democrat, ended weeks of speculation Tuesday, confirming she’s applied to be her hometown’s next city manager — a position for which she’s widely considered the front-runner.
The City Council is expected to name a replacement for outgoing City Manager Kevin Murphy by April 1, the day he is slated to retire.
Donoghue declined further comment through a spokesman Tuesday, and she did not return messages left on her cellphone.
Matt Stout
