Maginn Won't Seek Re-Election As State GOP Chair

After Massachusetts Republicans registered a dismal showing in the November elections, Republican Party Chairman Robert Maginn informed state committee members Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a second term.

“After much thought, prayer and conversations with those closest to me, as well as many of you, I have not heard the voice of the Lord calling me to seek re-election as Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party at this time,” Maginn wrote in the opening line of a letter to committee members.

Elizabeth Warren dealt the heaviest blow to Massachusetts Republicans last month, defeating U.S. Sen. Scott Brown. But in addition to seeing Mitt Romney fall to President Obama, Republicans were again swept by Democrats in congressional races and also lost ground in the state Legislature.

Noting it will be up to state committee members to identify a chairman to helm the party for the 2014 election cycle, Maginn said he had not sought the post before being elected and had instead been asked to run for chairman.

“I ask each of you to search your hearts as to who would be the best person for Chair from those individuals who rise up to run for the position,” he wrote.

Maginn said he kept promises he had made as chairman, planned to remain active in the next election cycle, and had helped legislative candidates raise money in the last cycle. Maginn previously told the News Service he had helped raise over $200,000 for state legislative candidates, and donated another $25,000 of his own money to their campaigns.

“Every viable candidate at that level won while we saw the whole Northeast and the top of our ticket fall short despite our best efforts,” Maginn wrote, calling the party infrastructure “strong” and asserting that the party is “moving in the right direction.”

Republicans held the four seats they have in the 40-member Senate but did not pick up any ground there despite three open seats on the ballot last month. In the 160-member House, Democrats built on their big majority as Republicans lost a net of four seats and will hold only 29 seats in January.