Richard Tisei: Gay, GOP, wants to be MA Lt. Gov.

Dan82 · Jun 6, 2010

http://www.bostonspiritmagazine.com...ive-richard-tisei-gay-gop-wants-to-be-ma.html

The Massachusetts Republican Party made history this spring by nominating an openly gay man for lieutenant governor.

Currently a lawmaker representing the Middlesex and Essex District, state Senator Richard R. Tisei of Wakefield still has to win—officially—the GOP primary in September. But with no other candidates on the ballot, Tisei will more than likely be the running mate of former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care chief executive officer Charles D. (“Charlie”) Baker, Jr., of Swampscott, who also faces no primary challenger.

If he were to be elected November 2, Tisei would make LGBT history nationwide as the highest-ranking openly gay man to win a statewide office—as a Republican, no less.

First elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives at the age of 22, Tisei has served on Beacon Hill for 26 years, including three terms as state representative and from 1991 to the present as senator. Several years ago, Tisei became Senate Minority Leader.

Tisei was born, raised, and educated in Lynnfield before heading to the nation’s capital for college where he earned a bachelor’s degree at American University.

Shortly after graduation and his return to Boston, Tisei first sought elective office when an incumbent lawmaker retired.

“I had my basic philosophy figured out and thought it would be a fun thing to do,” Tisei said during a recent face-to-face interview. “I’m a Republican because I believe the government should be limited, not involved in people’s personal lives.” Yes, “the government should set priorities to help people, but should not be intruding.”

Tisei’s current Senate district is suburban, including Malden, and parts of Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield—all in Middlesex County—and Lynnfield in Essex County...
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Blondie · Jun 6, 2010

I think this would be great IF he wins

haelmarie · Jun 6, 2010

Another white, conservative male in office, except he likes to boink guys. I see no reason for celebration.

Also, this little gem:

But during the recent GOP state convention, after social conservatives circulated a transgender-baiting flier—smearing a pending civil-rights and hate-crimes bill by labeling it “bathroom bill”—it’s going to be a tough sell. Apparently, the Baker committee approved the tactic.
The flier read: “Charlie Baker opposes the ‘bathroom bill.’ And if it came to his desk, he would veto it.—Paid for by the Baker committee.”

[...]
For his part, Tisei insists the GOP ticket still has at least LGB-minus-T appeal. “A lot of people in the gay community are entrepreneurs who own small businesses and are self-starters, just by nature, people who don’t necessarily vote on one specific issue [LGBT rights] but want candidates to treat them fairly,” Tisei said. “There are a whole bunch of other issues they care about. If people expect to see us run a campaign that panders to the gay community or anyone community, he is going to be disappointed.” Rather, “our [basic] message,” he explained, “is we think we can do a better job.”
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I suppose we should be glad that we've come so far that we can see openly gay conservatives, that accepting homosexuality is no longer exclusive to just the left wing. Maybe I shouldn't expect gay candidates to be leftist.

It's just... I feel like he's being so ungrateful to the history that he now benefits from; now that people accept him, he can spit in the face of transgendered people.

Richard Tisei: Gay, GOP, wants to be MA Lt. Gov.

Dan82
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Richard Tisei: Gay, GOP, wants to be MA Lt. Gov.

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