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PRESS RELEASE

Representative Marc Lombardo Announces Candidacy for Minority Leader

BOSTON – December 18, 2024– Representative Marc Lombardo today announced his candidacy for the position of Minority Leader in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Lombardo, has been a dedicated public servant for his district and a principled voice of the Republican Party, is challenging long-term incumbent, Brad Jones, for the role.

His decision reflects a bold vision to rejuvenate the Republican Caucus and mount a stronger challenge to the Democratic Party’s one-party dominance.

“Massachusetts is at a crossroads,” said Lombardo. “For too long, the voices of our communities have been overshadowed by the Democratic Party’s monopoly on power. Our Republican Caucus has a duty to provide a real alternative, one that champions fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and the values that make Massachusetts a great place to live and work. To do this, we need leadership that is dynamic, collaborative, and unafraid to chart a new course.”

Lombardo outlined his commitment to building a more energized caucus that prioritizes principles over politics, strengthens relationships with voters, and fosters a unified vision for Republican lawmakers. He emphasized the need for robust policy solutions to address the state’s pressing issues, including sound fiscal management, public safety, and government accountability by increasing transparency in the legislative process.

“Our constituents deserve leaders who will stand up to the entrenched power of the majority, inspire confidence in our ability to govern effectively, and listen to the will of the voters,” Lombardo added. “I am ready to lead our caucus into a new era of growth, strength, and resolve.”

Lombardo’s announcement comes amid growing concerns about the Democratic Party’s unchecked control over state government and the perceived need for a reinvigorated opposition. With a fresh approach to leadership, Lombardo aims to position the Republican Caucus as a powerful voice for meaningful change in Massachusetts.

“The current Republican leadership has repeatedly failed to be a voice of reason at a time when Democrats continue to pass laws that are crippling the economy and making Massachusetts one of the most expensive states in the country to live in,” Lombardo continued. “Hard working people across the commonwealth are suffering as a direct result of these failed progressive policies that the republican leader has supported. Energy costs are through the roof, it’s almost impossible to run a small business, and billions are being spent on illegal migrants when a growing number of residents are barely able to make ends meet.”

Representative Lombardo expressed significant concern over the lack of accountability in the legislature. Citing numerous academic studies that have concluded the Massachusetts legislature to be the least transparent in the Country. “The current Republican leader is complicit in enabling the majority party to govern in secrecy and to keep rank and file members in line by effectively bribing them with earmarks and leadership roles. Instead of leveraging the caucus to be an amplified voice and shine light on this corruption, our caucus leader consistently kowtows to the Speaker. We have tools at our disposal and we need to start to use them. The people of the Commonwealth deserve better representation,” he said.

Lombardo said that as Minority Leader he will not only focus on ways to hold Democrats more accountable, but also to work with the state party to grow the caucus by supporting principled incumbents and identifying viable candidates to run for office. “For half of my life, twenty-one years, the current Minority Leader has held his position as the leader of the caucus. Under the current leadership, the caucus has dwindled in size over the past decade. There is little to no effort to assist members in their campaigns and certainly no effort to be a voice of opposition to the Democrats. Seemingly, the status quo is good enough for the current leader as long as he gets to keep his hefty stipend and bring home lucrative earmarks.”

“I look forward to engaging my colleagues in a productive conversation about the future of our caucus and empowering them to be part of a bold new team,” he concluded.

RESPONSE FROM BRAD JONES: