Yesterday, I attended a Gubernatorial Town Hall hosted by the New Bedford Republican City Committee. The town hall represents one of the nearly 70 events that I have attended on the campaign trail so far. All Republican Gubernatorial candidates were invited, but I was the only one who showed up. That’s both disheartening, but also indicative of my opponents’ fear and anxiety of engaging with the grassroots.
A year from now, our party’s nominee for Governor will be in the midst of several debates against Maura Healey, an experienced politician who has won three contested statewide general elections. Our party needs to nominate a candidate who can actually debate and defeat her.
Based on my experience and track record across business, education, local and state government, I believe I’m the only candidate who can stand up to Maura Healey on a debate stage. Based on how my opponents have avoided debates, declined RTC invitations, and hidden from media interviews, I think they know that too.
My stance on debates is simple: anytime, anywhere. To that point, my campaign has so far agreed to participate in future debates hosted by Mike Urban, Chris McCarthy, and Jon Keller. We will continue to accept invitations from Republican Committees, groups, independent journalists, or media organizations that offer candidates the opportunity to engage directly with voters.
We will ask debate moderators to enforce three simple rules:
1) No notes. The Republican who debates Maura Healey won’t be able to read off a script written by their campaign consultants, as happened in a debate earlier this summer.
2) On video. The Republican who debates Maura Healey will do so on TV. Simulcast radio debates or recorded RTC debates published on social media are great.
3) Rebuttals must be allowed. Maura Healey won’t be honest in debates. At least one of my opponents has a propensity to bend the truth. Rules must allow candidates time to engage in actual debate.
In the meantime, if any group would like to host a debate or host me for an event to meet voters and discuss my vision for the Commonwealth, please reach out to my Political Director at msteffen@mikekennealy.com.
Thank you for your continued engagement in this critical process.
-Mike Kennealy
