You would possibly name it the return of the alpha male.
On this case there are three of them, certainly one of whom might be nominated to tackle progressive Democrat Gov. Maura Healey in 2026.
They’re Brian Shortsleeve, 52, of Barnstable, Mike Kennealy, 45, of Lexington, and Mike Minogue, 56, of Hamilton.
All three are assured, arduous charging and assertive and profitable businessmen who wish to convey their management model and expertise to the State Home and “save” the state.
Shortsleeve and Minogue are veterans—Shortsleeve as a U.S. Marine officer who served in Bosnia-Herzegovina through the breakup of Yugoslavia, in addition to within the Persian Gulf. Minogue is a West Level graduate who served as an infantry platoon chief in Operation Desert Storm.
Though the three are Republicans, they’re the kind of males the Democrat Celebration mocked, shunned and kicked out of the get together over their “poisonous masculinity.”
Now, with the get together in such shambles, Democrats are wishing that they had them again.
However it’s too late.
No alpha males could be discovered within the Motherland of Massachusetts the place 5 of six statewide workplace holders on the State Home, from governor on down, are girls.
And it is just a matter of time earlier than a girl reveals the sixth–—Secretary of state Invoice Galvin—out the door.
However it’s not the gender that counts.
What counts is the job the particular person holding the workplace is doing.
All three Republicans perceive that it will likely be a tough process to unseat Healey, who’s in search of a second four-year time period regardless that the state appears to be spiraling downward.
And judging from the feedback and the commitments made by the three challengers, Gov. Healey and her insurance policies are usually not doing very properly, which is why so many companies and individuals are leaving the state.
Excessive taxes, the excessive value of residing and the decreasing of the standard of life within the state are forcing companies and other people to depart. The one new arrivals have been unlawful immigrants in search of the state’s beneficiant welfare advantages.
“Massachusetts wants a rescue mission,” Shortsleeve mentioned. And he believes it wants a Marine like him to steer it.
“It’s going to take a Marine to wash up this mess,” he support.
That, basically is Shortsleeve’s message, enhanced together with his self-discipline, enterprise success, authorities expertise, vitality, confidence and a vow to convey transparency to state authorities.
“Maura Healey lacks transparency in all the pieces she does,” Shortsleeve mentioned, as witnessed by her refusal to launch the background examine on LaMar Prepare dinner, her Western Massachusetts deputy director who was arrested on drug and gun expenses.
He additionally chided her for, amongst different issues, refusing to help the audit of the Legislature by state Auditor Diana DiZoglio regardless that 72% of the voters permitted it.
Shortsleeve made his remarks throughout a “Boston Bros,” Inside Lowell podcast interview final week carried out by Jim Campanini, former editor of the Lowell Solar, and yours actually.
It’s anticipated that the opposite two candidates will even be interviewed on the weekly podcast within the coming weeks.
The Republicans, and the general public, needs to be happy that they’ve three robust and properly certified candidates operating for governor. Solely certainly one of them can win the GOP nomination.
Nonetheless, one of many three may comply with step apart and run for lieutenant governor. Being alpha males that’s nearly unattainable.
However who is aware of?
“I do know each Mikes,” Shortsleeve mentioned. “They’re each good guys.”
Veteran political reporter Peter Lucas could be reached at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com
