Kingston’s hire of Dem adviser could ruffle feathers
GOP U.S. Senate candidate John Kingston quietly hired Democratic consultant and former Gov. Deval Patrick adviser Ron Bell to woo voters in “urban areas” — even as the Winchester Republican seeks to bolster his right-wing credentials ahead of tomorrow’s Republican convention.
“The work our campaign team, including Ron, is doing in urban areas showcases exactly why John Kingston is the strongest candidate to defeat Elizabeth Warren this November,” Kingston campaign manager Cathy Fair explained.
But the hire could rankle Bay State GOP delegates who skew conservative and are prepared to clash with moderate Republicans in Worcester this weekend.
“Us grassroots people tend to be supporters of President Trump, and we want to see candidates who support him, too,” said Cliff Krieger, chairman of the Lowell Republican Committee.
Kingston viciously opposed Trump in 2016, putting up $1 million of his own money to entice an Independent presidential candidate in to the race.
But weeks before the convention, he made a direct appeal to delegates insisting that he now supports the president.
Kingston has paid Bell $10,000 a month since last October as his political consultant, according to Federal Election Commission records.
Bell, 55, has worked for progressive Democrats across the state since 2005, first as Patrick’s deputy campaign manager and most recently on former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson’s
Bell also served as chief of staff for the controversial former Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua.
Kingston’s campaign brushed off concerns about Bell’s potential impact at the convention, where Kingston must win 15 percent of delegates to make it on the primary ballot.
“Republican delegates to the MAGOP Convention Saturday can be confident, that while other candidates have done little in recent months to increase their odds of defeating Sen. Warren, our campaign has been hard at work organizing mayoral campaign. urban communities to cut Warren’s margin in traditionally Democratic strongholds come the fall,” Fair said.
State Rep. Geoff Diehl (RWhitman) and former political analyst Beth Lindstrom are also vying to challenge U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Bell said he didn’t make the decision to oppose national Democratic superstar Warren lightly.
“John’s natural ability to break down racial barriers and open dialogue are the type of skill and qualities that Massachusetts needs right now in a senator. I believe John can win in November,” Bell said.