Carnevale keeps MassGOP top spot
MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale will continue in her post at the top of Massachusetts Republican politics, after her position as chair was recertified by the state party committee.
The first-term party boss faced some opposition in the first meeting of the newly elected committee, but at the end was ratified to continue at her job by a vote of 47-25. The chairwoman can now feel fairly certain she’ll be able to hold on to her position at least until the next party elections in January.
“Grateful to have the support of the newly elected MassGOP State (committee) to continue leading Mass Republicans throughout 2024,” Carnevale said via the social media platform formerly known as twitter.
Carnevale’s success coincided with a surprise loss for longtime Republican National Committeeman Ron Kaufman, who lost his bid for re-election 37-35. The new national party representative, Boylston-based businessman Brad Wyatt, thanked Kaufman “for an amazing career guiding presidents.”
“I’m looking forward to building grassroots engagement, utilizing more tech, and winning more Republican elections,” Wyatt said.
Kaufman will reportedly continue to serve as the state party representative at the Republican National Convention until after this year’s nominating event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kaufman was selected by former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel to serve as General Chairman of the July convention last year.
“Ron’s wisdom and tenacity will be greatly missed within both the MassGOP and the RNC. His well-deserved title of ‘Mr. RNC’ reflects his invaluable contributions. I am confident that Ron’s legacy will carry on for decades to come,” Carnevale said of Kaufman in a Tuesday statement.
Despite Kaufman’s ouster, Saturday’s election represents confirmation for Carnevale that the state party committee is behind her vision for the future. Candidates backed by former party Chairman Jim Lyons, whom Carnevale defeated in January of 2022, lost races to take over the party treasury and secretary rolls, as well as their assistants.
Elected this weekend were party Vice Chair Judy Crocker, Treasurer Eric Calton, Assistant Treasurer Mindy McKenzie, Secretary Amanda Peterson, and Assistant Secretary Dr. Elizabeth Hinds-Ferrick.