Diehl defeats Doughty for Republican gubernatorial nomination

Date: 9/12/2022

WESTERN MASS. – Former state Rep. Geoff Diehl secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination against Chris Doughty during the Sept. 6 primary. Diehl will now face off against Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Maura Healey during the Nov. election.

Diehl earned 55.5 percent of the state vote against Doughty’s 44.5 percent total. Locally, Diehl also received the most votes in Hampden County with 51.1 percent and Hampshire County with 51.4 percent.

For the Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary, Diehl’s endorsed choice Leah Allen achieved 52 percent of the vote against former state Rep. Kate Campanale, who was endorsed by Doughty. Allen is facing off against Salem Mayor and Democrat lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Kimberley Driscoll in the November election.

In the aftermath of the results, the Diehl team issued a statement of gratitude to their supporters via social media.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaigns and came out to vote for us. We’re running for you, the taxpayers,” said Diehl via Facebook.

Diehl served in the 7th Plymouth District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. He also challenged incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2018 for one of the state’s two seats, ultimately running unsuccessfully, securing 36 percent of the vote. Doughty’s election bid was his first. He currently serves as the business owner of the manufacturer Capstan Industries.

Prior to the election, Diehl’s campaign received support from former President Donald Trump. The former president issued a plea for voters to support Diehl before the primary.

“I need to get every person in Massachusetts that’s voting … to go and vote for a really incredible champion for your rights and your values and your jobs, the next governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Geoff Diehl,” said Trump in his endorsement statement.

In a recent visit to Western Massachusetts, Diehl discussed his platform with Reminder Publishing. Regarding the decaying status of the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse in Springfield, Diehl expressed his support for constructing a new building if the mold and other concerns can not be addressed. He also stressed the importance of having a state building functioning without safety concerns.

“If it can’t be fixed, we got to take immediate steps towards a replacement,” said Diehl.
The popular east-west rail concept also received support from Diehl. When asked if he would prioritize expansion or fortifying issues with the existing Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) structures, Diehl said that achieving both simultaneously remains an option. Additionally, Diehl said he aspires to make public transportation more accessible in Western Massachusetts.

“I think we can walk and chew gum at the same time … we absolutely value the need for public transportation,” said Diehl.

With the November gubernatorial race set, Healey’s Campaign Manager Jason Burrell issued a stern denouncement of Diehl and his adherence to the “Trump playbook.”

“Voters now know what their choice will be in this election. Geoff Diehl wants to bring Trumpism to Massachusetts. He has embraced the Trump playbook of anger and extremism, and he opposes a woman’s right to abortion access and reproductive health care … Massachusetts can not afford the extremism of Geoff Diehl,” said Burrell.

Readers can learn more about Diehl and his legislative platform at https://geoffdiehl.com/.