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p>Full disclosure: I know this because I am currently interning at the MassGOP and this is one of my projects.  Before you think that I am completely opposed to everything you do, please know that my opposition is in smaller quantities (I am a libertarian at heart).

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p>So this is one of the strongest Republican districts in the Commonwealth (whatever that’s worth).  There are 57 similar House districts and 15 Senate districts (i.e., those that gave Dubya at least 42 per cent of the vote and gave Mitt at least 52 per cent of the vote.  They include the two districts the Democrats are challenging as seen in the sidebar.  The First Middlesex is 48.6 and 61.3, respectively; and the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex is 42.1 and 53, respectively.  So don’t think that you are automatically going to be handed these seats.  Besides, veto-proof majorities and effective one-party rule, regardless of who it is, well, stink.

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p>If the alternative is to have the locally anti-civil rights GOP and nationally anti-all things good(tm) GOP prevent veto-proof majorities, than no thanks.

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p>Eating pasta for dinner every day might get old, but it beats alternating between pasta and dog food.

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p>Too bad it will never happen, and even though a guy who served as communications secretary for the Green-Rainbows wishfully said there are two parties “The Dems and us”, right now the Mass GOP is the only opposition game in town, and you know just how much that is saying…  perhaps the wealthier fiscal conservatives should give up on the GOP brand in the state and start investing in promising Libertarian candidates in certain districts where Republicans are retiring in this and future cycles.  I know MASS progressives are far from ready to give up on the Democratic Party in even a single state legislative district, and will only seek to get rid of corporatist incumbent DINOs by primary challenge alone.

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The Green-Rainbow Party learned the results of its February 5th presidential primary last week, which saw an increase in participation of 81.4% over our first-ever presidential primary in 2004. The Secretary of the Commonwealth released the official primary results, and 1941 voters chose Green-Rainbow Party ballots, compared to 1070 in 2004.

Direct Link.

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p>So all they could get in a year where liberal/progressive voter turnout is excessively high is less than 2,000 votes, which they tried billing as an 81.4% increase from 2004, to make it seem waaaaay more impressive than it actually is.  If voters are still looking to try to make this a two-party system and still reject trusting the GOP ever again, it’s clear the Greens aren’t the alternative they’re looking for to keep a check on excessive Democratic power.  Their only major success in Massachusetts is Boston city council member Chuck Turner, who is considered a member of the G-R Party.

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p>Holliston — 9,682 total voters; 2,759 D, 1,590 R, 5,272 I
Hopkinton — 8,847 total voters; 2,116 D, 1,932 R, 4,761 I

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p>It was a Republican district when it was more rural, but those days are gone. This is a classic swing district, with a highly educated block of voters and a lot of high tech workers. However, it has historically elected Democrats. It was very ably represented by Barbara Gardner, a progressive Democrat who stepoed aside to take an executive position at DOE. Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) represents most of the district and is highly regarded.

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p>I certainly never said or ever would say that the 8th Middlesex would be an automatic win — for either party. Loscocco was able to win reelection for his second term because of a very fractious Democratic primary, and no one opposed him for his third term. A Democrat who focuses on issues important in Metrowest — economic development, education, local aid, and Pike fairness — and runs a good campaign can win it. Given the amazing level of energy and turnout for the March Democratic primary within the district, and the amount of organizing which is happening at the local level in support of the national election, any Republican who pulls papers will have an uphill climb in the general election this time out.  

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p>Patrick: 8513 (48.03%)

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p>Healey: 7651 (43.17%)

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p>Mihos: 1226 (6.92%)

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p>Ross: 311 (1.75%)

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p>Others: 24 (0.14%)

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p>Blanks: 141