State Senator Stephen Brewer, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, has now drawn two Republican opponents for his seat (the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, and Middlesex district).
The first opponent declared in October, James Ehrhard of Sturbridge. Ehrhard has been claiming that Sen. Brewer’s record is much more liberal [edited -cb] than his constituents might believe, and that the support of the gas tax was the final straw.
The newer opponent is Michael Valanzola of Wales. He and Ehrhard are both on the Tantasqua School Committee. The existence of a second candidate is somewhat interesting; Brewer has only had Republican opponents twice during his Senate career (as well as a Libertarian candidate on a separate occasion) and never before has there had to be a primary between Republicans to determine who would take him on. Additionally, perusing the Telegram comments section, there is a claim that Valanzola is running because the Republican establishment wants a candidate in the race “that they can control.” Obviously comments on the Telegram website are to be taken with a large amount of salt, but it does raise the interesting prospect of a sort of Establishment vs. Tea Party divide in the primary. It was also correctly pointed out that Mr. Valanzola was resoundingly defeated when he ran for the Republican state committee in 2012; and also that he contributed to Sen. Brewer’s campaign in 2012. Both candidates have been appearing with local Republican luminaries.
In any case, Sen. Brewer is a formidable opponent, and I have no doubt that he’d defeat either opponent. It’s not the most high-profile campaign, but I thought my fellow central Mass. posters might find it interesting.
Christopher says
That’s certainly what it sounds like if he’s arguing Brewer is more conservative than believed as if that is a problem.
dunwichdem says
Liberal, I meant to say he claims Brewer is more Lliberal than people think. Sorry, major typo.
Charley on the MTA says
nt
dunwichdem says
Thanks very much. As to the question posed: I don’t think Brewer’s in trouble at all. I’m sure he’ll bring in well over 60% as he always does.
theloquaciousliberal says
He’s running to lower taxes, on “state’s rights” and against gun control:
http://www.jamesehrhard.com/why-im-running.html
I think dunwichdem meant “much more liberal”. As in the characterizations of Brewer on the above quoted website which claim Brewer “voted in lock-step with his liberal Democratic colleagues on Beacon Hill. It is record of taxing and spending of which the people of Cambridge and Brookline would be proud…”
seamusromney says
n/t
Peter Porcupine says
Consequently, he will not win the primary.
kittyoneil says
a really good guy. I hope he remains in the Senate despite losing out on the Senate Presidency. From a progressive point of view, he’s about the best we could do in that district.
fenway49 says
as far as the district’s concerned. My problem is a chair of a vital committee who’s right of center in the caucus. I have no personal problems at all with him.
sharoney says
closet Libertarians and Religious Right adherents who are either affiliated with or past members of the local regional school committee have been pushing running for School Committee as a way for Central MA conservatives to build up a power base, get visibility and a foot in the door for months. They’re taking the long view, and probably don’t care if their picks lose this time around as long as the race gets coverage, the better to set up a competitive run when Brewer retires.
How do I know this? I overheard a prominent local member of the Republican State Committee talk about this very strategy on his cellphone while doing standout at a local election.
I’m not worried. Around here Ehrhard has managed to piss some important groups off, including parents of Tantasqua students. Valanzola has no doubt pissed the local RW activist base off by primarying Ehrhard, by having donated to Brewer in the past, and (if the claims about his being the establishment’s pick are accurate), by bucking the Tea Party faction hereabouts.
Brewer is HUGELY popular in his district. He’ll wave these guys away like pesky flies, and do it with his usual affable smile.
dunwichdem says
Agree about the easy victory for Brewer.
I was about to write a post about how the Republicans have several State Reps with overlapping districts who I was going to say would be even better candidates than any school committee members, but after double-checking, the only one they have is Todd Smola in the 1st Hampden district. Kim Ferguson and Lew Evangelidis both live one town outside the district in Holden, and Peter Durant lives one town outside in Southbridge.
HeartlandDem says
and that will be when Senator Brewer (moderate Dem-Barre) decides it will open, Todd Smola would be the best and only R with a shot at the seat…..a long shot at that.
There ain’t an ember’s chance in an Artic Vortex that either of the announced R-candidates take the seat. Never happen.
Brewer has lost support from some constituents in the casino melee that tore up a quarter of the district but that won’t cost him the seat.
It is relevant to note however that he is not just a lock-step Dem vote on Beacon Hill – he is lock-step with leadership voter on Beacon Hill. He’s safe and he knows it but, he’ll campaign and kick-butt for the love of the game.
His constituent services and accessibility are the gold standard.
sharoney says
has apparently made that decision.
My money is on Rep. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer, throwing her hat into the ring. She and Brewer have been an effective team for the area for years, and enjoys the same kind of popularity that Brewer does.