Please take a moment to read all the responses or just those from the candidates in your State Senate district.

The Cambridge Republican City Committee looks forward to seeing you at the Forum on Thursday, February 16th at 7:00 pm at 100 Landsdowne Street.

1. Name, address, email, contact info, website, etc.

Michael Cowett, Cabot House

mecowett@gmail.com

617.866.0802

michaelcowett.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/Cowett4MassGOP

2. Background, educational, professional, political involvement, etc.

I am currently a junior at Harvard College, where I’m majoring in Classics and minoring in Government. In addition to my coursework, I have worked at the Harvard Law School Library and served as a course assistant for a second-semester calculus class, I currently assist with a faculty member’s research project. I have been an active member of the Cambridge Republican City Committee for the past two years, volunteering most recently for Charlie Marquardt’s 2011 run for Cambridge City Council.

3. Why are you running for the State Committee?

I’m running for State Committee to help fix what I see as the two major problems with the Massachusetts Republican Party: misguided focus and lack of organization. At a broad level, the Mass GOP often seems interested in winning top-of-the-ticket races, especially the governorship, to the exclusion of all others. This ignores how real power in state government is distributed, and it fails to recognize the importance of supporting candidates in local and state-legislative races for the sake of building up a “bench” of competitive candidates for statewide office and Congress; in short, it’s not at all how you build a competitive party. Closer to home, I’m deeply concerned about the lack of Republican infrastructure in my district. All four cities are far below the level of organization they will need to have a measurable impact on elections in 2012 and beyond. If elected, I’ll advocate for shifting priorities at the state committee, and the rapid strengthening of RCCs in Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, and Everett.

4. What are your plans for your district, if elected, over the next 4 years? How will you accomplish them?

I have two main goals. First, I shall work to set up city and ward committees in the parts of the district — mainly Chelsea and Everett, but also parts of Cambridge and Boston — where they do not currently exist. I’ll do this by investing my own time and working with the state committeewoman to contact all registered Republicans in the relevant areas, and identifying those who would be interested in helping to set up the committees. Second, I intend to recruit Republican candidates to run in all races, from state Senate all the way to School Committee, a task I’ll undertake concurrently with — not after – the effort to establish Republican committees.

5. What do you bring to the State Committee?

I hope I bring at least the following two things. One, relative youth, which provides me the significant amounts of energy I’ll need to pursue the goals I’ve outlined. I hope my youth will also allow me to reach out to the numerous college students and recent graduates in my district. Secondly, on a similar note, a certain naivete: I haven’t been around long enough to absorb the conventional wisdom about where Republicans “just can’t win” in Massachusetts, which too often is taken to include pretty much every inch of the Middlesex and Suffolk District. I refuse to accept that, in part because I firmly believe that “you can’t win if you don’t play,” which we as a party haven’t bothered to do in far too long.

6. What would you do to help grow the RCC/RTC in your district, with particular emphasis on Cambridge?

See answer to #4 above, but I’ll elaborate on two points. First, we need to talk to people, and that means in person or on the phone. Consequently, since walking and making phone calls take time, we need to make better use of pyramid structures: starting from a core group of people, we need to encourage each member of that core group to get in touch with a certain number of people, each of whom will then get in touch with more people, etc. In my experience, a few people trying to do everything leads to rapid burn-out and inefficiency. Certainly, it’s not always possible to work in this manner, but we should at least work to move in this direction.

1.      Name, address, email, contact info, website, etc.

Joyce M. Kelly

474 Revere Beach Boulevard

Revere, MA 02151

(781) 284-7722

joycemariekelly@gmail.com

2.      Background, educational, professional, political involvement, etc.

•     Massachusetts Community College Professor, Division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
•     Bachelor of Science, Boston University (Magna cum Laude)
•     Master of Science, Boston University
•     Vice President of the Seventh Congressional District’s Republican Assembly
•     State Board Member of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly
•     Formation of Ward 5 Republican Committee in Revere
•     Coordinator for Dr. Gerry Dembrowski’s campaign for U.S.Congress (Revere & Winthrop)
•     Campaign worker for Senator Scott Brown’s campaign for U.S.Senate

3.      Why are you running for the State Committee?

I am running for State Committee in the 1st Suffolk and Middlesex Senatorial District,  (which includes Boston’s  Ward 1, and Ward 3 – precincts 1-4, 6 and 8, and Ward 5 – precincts 1, 3, 4, 5 and 11) because I want to help end the one-party rule in Massachusetts.

I am determined to help increase the effectiveness of the local ward and town committees.  I would like to help motivate our base and work to win elections at all levels in city, state, and federal government elections.  The aim is to organize and work for the nomination and election of Republican Party candidates.

4.      What are your plans for your district, if elected, over the next 4 years? How will you accomplish them?

I want the opportunity to continue my activities in working for Republican candidates.  Over the years, I have been very active at the local level, and in state and national politics.  But at the same time, we need new policies in place and innovative ideas brought forth in order to bring the Republican Party back to the status of years gone by.  This can be accomplished by the following:

• Promoting a Republican agenda of fiscal responsibility and limited government
• Identifying and recruiting candidates who agree with Republican ideals
• Giving our support to local and state Republican candidates
• Organizing volunteers during election season
• Vigorously promote Republican Party membership

5. What do you bring to the State Committee?

My strengths lie in my ability to accomplish the goals that I set forth, and I have the capability and disposition to work well with others.  I am able to motivate others and am very confident in my own competencies.  The goal will be to support Republican candidates and the causes they support.  I and the individual ward and town committees, will work with ward, town, and national committees, and promote the goals of the GOP.

6.      What would you do to help grow the RCC/RTC in your district, with emphasis on Cambridge?

Presently, there are no Republican Ward Committees in the city in which I live.  I am organizing a ward committee and will be running as a Republican Ward and Town Committee candidate in March.  After the primary, I would like to see the organization and growth of all wards in my city.

I plan to work with all the town and city committees, including Cambridge, and with the First Suffolk and Middlesex Senatorial District State Committeeman to plan a tactical approach in finding new Republican committee members and candidates.

1. Name, address, email, contact info, website, etc.

Brad Marston

90 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02108

Website: www.BradMarston.com

Email: brad@bradMarston.com

2. Background, educational, professional, political involvement, etc.

Brad majored in Economics and Philosophy at Georgetown University. After careers in the Securities and Hospitality industries, Brad ran for State Representative in the 8th Suffolk District in 2010. He is partner and co-founder of FourTier Strategies, LLC a consulting firm advising political campaigns on strategy with emphasis on social media and online fundraising. In the past four years he has volunteered on nine campaigns in Massachusetts.

3. Why are you running for the State Committee?

For our statewide candidates to compete effectively, we have to do a better job for them in urban areas. It is unrealistic to ask candidates or the state committee to devote scarce resources for very little return. It is incumbent upon local activists to organize and act as surrogate campaigns in these urban areas. This will also allow us to recruit/support local candidates who will be encouraged to run if there exists a more robust organization in their district.

4. What are your plans for your district, if elected, over the next 4 years? How will you accomplish them?

First and foremost, my main goal is that every ward in my district is organized and active. I will encourage them to act more like campaigns and identify voters, recruit volunteers, register new voters and raise money. I along with my fellow state committee members will provide training and guidance.

We also need to have a higher public profile. I will encourage and work with Ward Committees to write letters to the editor, take part in civic organizations and events and develop an online presence.

5. What do you bring to the State Committee?

As one of the lead organizer’s of the Boston Tea Parties in 2009 and a candidate in 2010, I bring the grassroots activism that has been lacking in many areas for the Massachusetts Republican Party. As a campaign consultant and active volunteer in numerous campaigns I bring the knowledge of how campaigns work.

6. What would you do to help grow the RCC/RTC in your district, with particular emphasis on Cambridge?

I think I answered that in number 4 above but additionally I would work to get all the Cambridge Wards organized by accessing the voter data in Voter Vault and work with the City Committee, existing Ward Committees and my State Committeewoman to design and execute an Outreach plan to attract and retain new members. I got over 500 votes in my State Representative race in just the 5 Wards I ran in. The people are out there. We just have to go get them.

1. Name, address, email, contact info, website, etc.

Caroline Beauregard Shinkle

305 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139

Email:  cshinkle@mit.edu

Website:  www.caroline4statecommittee.com

2. Background, educational, professional, political involvement, etc

. Studying Economics/Finance at MIT

. Founder & Director, Camp USA (United Student-Leaders of America) 2009 – present: Created non-profit, nonpartisan, free summer day camp to combat political apathy and inspire middle school students to explore the political arena

. Youth Correspondent, CBS television affiliate – 2008 Republican National Convention (St. Paul, MN): Interviewed elected and appointed government officials and members of the national media about the significance of the youth vote

. Senator, MIT Undergraduate Association: Attained highest vote count, campus wide

. Intern for U.S. Senator Scott Brown (2011- present): Involved with constituent relations and casework as well as service academy nominations

. Intern for MA State Representative David Vieira (R) 3^rd Barnstable District (2011-present): Engaged in streamlining of civil process procedures across the Commonwealth

. State Champion Orator

. Cum Laude Society

. Leading the revival of the MIT Republican Club

. Actively recruiting and registering MIT students as Republicans

. Created Ward 2 Committee, Cambridge

. Guest columnist for suburban daily papers: Articles focused on political events

3. Why are you running for the State Committee?

I am running for the State Committee because I am dedicated to building the Republican Party into a powerful force in my district, throughout the Commonwealth and across the country. I have the determination and drive to lead the charge to end the one party rule that has dominated Massachusetts politics far too long.

4. What are your plans for your district, if elected, over the next 4 years? How will you accomplish them?

My candidacy is centered on three key initiatives:

. We must challenge Democrats in every race. We must force Democrats to spend down their war chests. Because we, as Republicans, believe that every seat is the people’s seat, and we must go to battle to represent the people in the seats that they so rightfully own.

. We must enhance our communications to both current and prospective Party members. To pave the way for Republican victories, I will work to develop and streamline creative messaging using traditional, new, and emerging methods to keep members informed as well as to attract new activists.

. We must energize the Republican Party and reach out to new voters.  I will continue my recruitment of young people to become active in our party. The Republican Party is the party of building jobs and companies and industries, of career creation. Most young people share the desire to launch a successful career.  Thus, I will work to broaden our Party’s ranks to bring in energetic, enthusiastic young people who are, indeed, the future of our Party.

5. What do you bring to the State Committee?

I bring energy, enthusiasm, and relentless determination to position the Massachusetts Republican Party for success at the polls as well as to increase its ranks. I will leverage my background in communications, which spans print, electronic, and verbal, to elevate the efforts of the State Committee and to generate visibility and interest around the Massachusetts GOP.

I bring direct and extensive experience honed from multiple leadership roles in print and electronic media and the founding of a not-for-profit political camp (Camp USA).

I will attract new activists by using traditional and new media to communicate the notion that the GOP is the party of new ideas that can best address the challenges we face in job creation, rebuilding the economy, and reducing the size and scope of government. Young voters naturally resonate with ideas that empower the individual by reducing reliance on big government.

As a seasoned public speaker and state champion orator, I will deliver the GOP message eloquently, tuned toward building the future of the party across all constituencies throughout the district. My understanding of media will facilitate our changing the political dynamics across the district.

6. What would you do to help grow the RCC/RTC in your district, with particular emphasis on Cambridge?

I will focus on recruiting and aggressively supporting competitive Republican candidates. We must secure candidates who pledge to limit government, empower wealth creation, limit taxes, and encourage private investment.

If elected, I will work tirelessly to involve more people in the party in what is arguably one of the most liberal districts in the nation. I am especially dedicated to generating interest in the Republican Party among young people to instill life-long allegiance and activism, since they are our future leaders. To achieve that goal, I will partner with local college Republican clubs and establish a “Volunteer Bank” of students who donate at least eight hours/week to a Republican organization or candidate in my district. By targeting one percent of the approximate 300,000 Boston-area college students, the Republican Party in First Suffolk & Middlesex will reap 24,000 volunteer-hours annually; this translates into nearly 100,000 hours of donated labor during a typical four-year college stay.

If elected, I will spearhead increased interaction between all republican organizations in the district through a series of networking activities.  I will host world-class speaker forums that will attract national figures who will communicate the key issues that distinguish our brand.

1. Name, address, email, contact info, website, etc.

Barbara T. Bush
30 Monument Square #405
Charlestown, MA 02129
Email:  btbush@earthlink.net or barbara@barbaratbush.com
Website:  www.barbaratbush.com

2. Background, educational, professional, political involvement, etc.

BA Math from St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, MD
Teacher in middle and high school levels: Peace Corps Volunteer in Nigeria; St. Clare HS, Roslindale, MA
Bank Teller: First National Bank of Boston
Information technology: programmer, systems programmer, data base administrator in several Boston companies (30 years)
Registered Republican for many years
Volunteered at the MassGOP in 2009
Member and now chair of Boston Ward 2 Republican Committee
Member of Boston Republican City Committee
Ran for state Senate in Middlesex, Suffolk & Suffolk District in 2010 – 22% of the vote
Member of board of Mass Federation of Republican Women
Treasurer of Hub Republican Women (club of MFRW)

3. Why are you running for the State Committee?

I am running for the State Committee because I want to work in my district to spread the word about the Republican principles of smaller government and lower taxes.  Also I think it is important to emphasize that Republican believe in personal responsibility and self-determination.  I believe that this can be done by reaching out in all the wards in the cities in the district to ensure that the people understand how essential it is for them to be involved in the political process and work toward electing Republicans. Massachusetts has suffered from having a one party system so we must provide choices in elections at all levels.

4. What are your plans for your district, if elected, over the next 4 years?

My plans are to reach out to Republicans and invite them to learn what they can do to get involved in their party.  I would teach them how they can work for candidates.  This would be done through the ward committees.  It is energizing to meet others who have the same values.  It takes time but it can be done.  When I ran for state Senate in 2010, I met many people who were happy to meet a Republican.  It is a matter of reaching out to people and encouraging them to get involved.  As one man told me in one of the cities in the district, the people in his city are Republicans but they don’t know it.

5. What do you bring to the State Committee?

I bring my enthusiasm for the Republican principles and values and the desire to reach out to others to talk to them about their concerns.  So many people are worried about their jobs, their futures, their families and their communities.  Life is hard for many because of the economic pressures we face these days with out of control government spending.  People need to know that they hold the answers and their efforts are needed to work toward changing the way that government is run.

6. What would you do to help grow the RCC/RTC in your district, with particular emphasis on Cambridge?

I would help grow the RCCs in this district as I described in #4 above.  Each city in the district has its own difficulties with the process I proposed.  As for Cambridge, it has an active RCC but there aren’t many Republicans in Cambridge.  Another problem is that there are so many untruths told about Republicans.  I believe that Republicans tend to use logic and reason when they explain their positions. This doesn’t work with many people who react more favorably to emotional approaches.  For example, ‘hope and change’ works for them. We need to strategize to appeal to a larger audience.

1. Name, address, email, contact info, website, etc.

Patricia Brady Doherty
45 Mystic Street, Medford, MA 02155

patriciabradydoherty@gmail.com
2. Background, educational, professional, political involvement, etc.

Education:
Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME, B.A.
Suffolk Univ. Law School, JD
Harvard, Kennedy School, M.P.A.

Professional :
Executive Director, Catholic Citizenship, 2010-current
Registered Lobbyist, Coalition for Marriage and Family, 2009-current
Legislative Director, Massachusetts Citizens For Life, 1998-2000
Medford City Councilor, Medford, MA, 1985-1994
Attorney, various firms, 1979-2012

Political Involvement:
Besides being a Medford City Councilor under Plan ‘E’ and Plan ‘A’, running city wide, I have been involved in local, congressional and presidential races since 1979.  Also, I worked in almost every one of the new Republican state representative campaigns.  Most recently, I was involved with Keiko Orral’s win in New Bedford and Peter Durant’s in Southbridge, both being special elections and replacing Democratic state reps.

3. Why are you running for the State Committee?

I hope to bring all my skills acquired as an elected official, a consultant, a lobbyist, a lawyer, a volunteer and as a voter to recruit Republicans to run for office and to help elect Republicans to office. Also, I believe the state Republican GOP needs to fund the local candidates so that we may have a farm team to run for higher office in this state.

4. What are your plans for your district, if elected, over the next 4 years? How will you accomplish them?

I hope to bring all my skills acquired as an elected official, a consultant, a lobbyist, a lawyer, a volunteer and as a voter to recruit Republicans to run for office and to help elect Republicans to office. Also, I believe the state Republican GOP needs to fund the local candidates so that we may have a farm team to run for higher office in this state.

5. What do you bring to the State Committee?

I hope to bring all my skills acquired as an elected official, a consultant, a lobbyist, a lawyer, a volunteer and as a voter to recruit Republicans to run for office and to help elect Republicans to office. Also, I believe the state Republican GOP needs to fund the local candidates so that we may have a farm team to run for higher office in this state.

6. What would you do to help grow the RCC/RTC in your district, with particular emphasis on Cambridge?

I hope to bring all my skills acquired as an elected official, a consultant, a lobbyist, a lawyer, a volunteer and as a voter to recruit Republicans to run for office and to help elect Republicans to office. Also, I believe the state Republican GOP needs to fund the local candidates so that we may have a farm team to run for higher office in this state.

Date, Time and Location

The Candidates Forum will be held on Thursday, February 16^th at 7:00 pm at 100 Landsdowne Street (Near MIT and Central Square), Cambridge.

Candidates by State Senate District

The Candidates have all been extended an invitation to attend and are listed alphabetically within each Senate district of which Cambridge comprises a portion.

First Suffolk & Middlesex (Cambridge Ward 2 Precincts 2 and 3; Ward 4 Precincts 1 and 3; and Ward 5 All Precincts)

State Committeeman Candidates

Brad Marston

Paul Ronukaitus – Response Not Received

State Committeewoman Candidates

Joyce M. Kelly

Eva Murphy – Response Not Received

Caroline Shinkle

Middlesex & Suffolk (Cambridge Ward 1 All Precincts; Ward 2 Precinct 1; Ward 3 All Precincts; Ward 4 Precinct 1; and Wards 6, 7 and 8 All Precincts)

State Committeeman Candidate

Michael Cowett

State Committeewoman Candidate

Barbara Bush

First Middlesex (Cambridge Wards 9, 10 and 11 All Precincts)

State Committeeman Candidates

Rob Cappucci – Response Not Received

Bernie Green – Response Not Received

State Committeewoman Candidate

Patricia Brady Doherty

Pre-Forum Questionnaires

The candidates have also been asked to respond to each of the questions below so that Cambridge Republicans and Unenrolled voters will have the opportunity to learn more about the candidates before the Candidates Forum.  Candidates are asked to keep their responses to no more than 200 words (any response exceeding 200 words will be truncated) and send their responses to cambridgegop1@gmail.com on or before February 5^th.  Responses will be posted as soon as possible after received.

The questions are:

1. Name, address, email, contact info, website, etc.

2. Background, educational, professional, political involvement, etc.

3. Why are you running for the State Committee?

4. What are your plans for your district, if elected, over the next 4 years? How will you accomplish them?

5. What do you bring to the State Committee?

6. What would you do to help grow the RCC/RTC in your district, with particular emphasis on Cambridge?

Forum Moderation

The Candidates Forum will be moderated with limits on the length of Candidates’ responses to provide an opportunity for audience questions.

Please check back for Candidate responses and other updates.

We look forward to seeing you on February 16^th.

Cambridge Republican City Committee

#1 FOR CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL!

VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8^TH!  A chance for Cambridge Republicans to be heard!

In Charlie Marquardt we have a candidate that Cambridge needs.

We share an obligation to elect Republicans to public office.

Get your neighbors out to vote!

Please forward this newsletter far and wide to voters you know
and ask them to

PARTICIPATE IN THEIR VERY OWN, VERY IMPORTANT

LOCAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

and

VOTE #1 FOR CHARLIE MARQUARDT FOR CITY COUNCIL!

www.charlesmarquardt.org

ALSO TO

SUPPORT GOP CANDIDATES WORKING TO WIN IN 2012

RE-ELECT SCOTT BROWN TO THE US SENATE!

www.scottbrown.com

SUPPORT JEFF SEMON

IN THE 7^TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

www.jeffin2012.com
(running against Rep Ed Markey)

SUPPORT ELIZABETH CHILDS

IN THE 4^TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

www.childsforcongress.com
(running against Rep Barney Frank)

Picture a modern-day Paul Revere watching the City Hall clock tower, awaiting a signal from his fellows.  It’s given…and he leaps on his fastest bike for a long ride through the streets of our fair city calling, “The Progressives are coming!  The Progressives are coming!”  When local Republicans hear the rider’s call, will they rally?  Will they know what to do?  When they gather, will they bring Independents with them?

We’ll get answers to these questions on November 8th, 2011.

Like the Paul Revere of old, our modern-day rider has a good sense of timing.  He knows that time is getting short, that Cambridge’s very important municipal elections are coming up in just a few weeks.  He knows that defending classical liberalism starts at the local level, that communities make far more progress by releasing individual energies than by strapping them with Progressive harnesses.

Thankfully, rallying in 2011 is a lot easier than it was in 1775.  In the seeming serenity of our fair city, there is no need to draw up a battle line.  The rallying call to local Republicans is altogether peaceful.  It is nothing more than a call to VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8TH.

Gather at the polling stations with neighbors and cast a private ballot.  Vote with an absentee ballot from the comfort of home (what would the Minutemen of old think of that?).  The Cambridge Republican City Committee asks every registered Republican in Cambridge to vote on November 8th.  (The CRCC asks Unenrolled voters and conservative Democrats to come out and vote, too.)  Whom you vote for is your business – just vote.

Vote because the Progressives are coming.  We are already under the thumb of a misunderstood rule that it’s okay for the City Council to be non-partisan as long as all the councillors are Democrats.  And all the other things we put up with…Peace and Nuclear Disarmament Commissions, “Sanctuary City” proclamations, a 2011 call for Colonel Gadhafi’s resignation.  But it changed recently when the License Commission adopted a City Council recommendation to ban hotels from outsourcing cleaning jobs.  Yes, the local Hyatt put its worst face forward in several personnel decisions and warranted a strong community response, but did the shareholders approve a City of Cambridge role in the company’s day-to-day operating decisions?  Yes, outsourcing may be a way to cut costs (but not necessarily reduce net jobs).  But won’t local price controls undermine financial stability and restrict the availability of local jobs long-term?  You can bet they will and that why Republicans should vote on November 8th.  There are those points along the road when local government needs to be reminded to stay within its limits, and this is one of them.

Of course, we may have already arrived at Cambridge’s “Boeing Moment,” a term fixed in the national memory earlier this year when an unelected National Labor Relations Board told Boeing, a private corporation, to close its brand new, state-of-the-art plant in South Carolina and return the production line to Puget Sound, regardless of massive net losses of good American jobs.  What real difference is there between our License Commission telling Hyatt how to hire and fire and the NLRB telling Boeing where it can build a manufacturing plant and create jobs?

A “Boeing Moment” is also a sign that the Progressives have not only long since come, but also have set up in place.

What Cambridge Republicans must have in common is a strong streak of individualism.  That’s my explanation of why they are so hard to recruit as members of the local GOP Committee.  What’s odd is they tend not to vote in municipal elections and that I don’t get.  Voting in municipal elections helps keep Cambridge Republicans – and Cambridge Democrats and Progressives – free.  Maybe Cambridge Republicans await the call of the modern-day Paul Revere…but I hope we aren’t there yet.  VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8TH.

Henry R Irving is chairman of the Cambridge Republican City Committee (www.cambridgegop.com) and lives on Bigelow Street.