A tough battle seen shaping up in Central Mass.
Patrick stumps outside I-495
WORCESTER -- Here, outside the Interstate 495 belt, where the politicians talk hopefully of better commuter rail to Boston and new developments for struggling downtowns, Democrats and Republicans are mounting a vigorous battle for Central Massachusetts that could decide the election for governor.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deval Patrick stumped in Springfield and Worcester yesterday, talking about his plans to improve the Massachusetts economy, accompanied by his running mate, Mayor Timothy P. Murray of Worcester.
``It's going to be the battleground between these two candidates in what is shaping up as a pretty tight race," said Paul E. Peterson, professor of government at Harvard University.
In the 2002 race between Shannon O'Brien and Mitt Romney, much of the focus was on Boston's suburbs, particularly the area around Route 128. But now the political focus appears to be moving farther west, around the fast-growing areas around I-495.
The Republican gubernatorial ticket dominated Worcester County in 2002, taking every city and town, many by a 2-to-1 margin, except for the city of Worcester, which the Democrats won by only 4,700 votes. Republicans also won Worcester County handily in 1994 and 1998.
Murray, elected Tuesday as the Democrats' nominee for lieutenant governor, is the three-term mayor of Worcester. Reed Hillman, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor is a former state representative from Sturbridge. Hillman finished up a tour of the state's 351 cities and towns yesterday, a tour that helped emphasize the Republicans' hopes of gaining votes outside greater Boston.
``Bring it on!" Hillman said earlier this week. ``I'm looking forward to debating Tim Murray. We're going to have a great time. There are significant differences between the positions that he stakes out and I stake out, and we want to make them very clear to voters."
But the Democrats insist they can win in the region this year, relying on Murray's name recognition and political organization and on a strategy aimed at voter anxiety over rising property taxes. Patrick argues that keeping the state income tax rate at 5.3 percent would help stabilize property taxes.
``I am confident that we are going to carry Worcester County and carry it big," said Philip W . Johnston, chairman of the state Democratic Party. ``And that is what's going to make the difference in this election."
US Representative James P. McGovern, the local congressman, organized the region for Patrick in the primary, besting Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly, who had the endorsement of Sheriff Guy W . Glodis. As attention turns to the general election, McGovern is stressing the importance of his region.
``Democrats need to do better in Central Massachusetts if they're going to prevail in November," McGovern said yesterday. ``We're going to be much more competitive than we were four years ago."
Patrick and Murray visited Marlborough Wednesday, the day after they won the primary.
With Mayor Nancy Stevens of Marlborough by their side, they walked down the business district on Main Street amid a swirl of television cameras and reporters, and they each shook hands with shoppers and business owners who peeked outside to see what all the commotion was about.
Inside Marlborough Savings Bank, Patrick was greeted by residents with hugs. And at a senior center , dozens crammed the lobby and craned their necks outside the door to catch a glimpse of him.
``We were like, is he coming here?" said volunteer Barbara Parry, 75. ``I think he's coming here. Is he here yet?"
Healey's spokeswoman insisted yesterday that it will be issues, not hometowns, that matter. Healey supports an immediate rollback of the state income tax rate.
``It's great to have two candidates from Central Massachusetts, but ultimately the voters will decide who will better represent them on the issues," said Laura Nichol, spokeswoman for the Healey-Hillman campaign. ``They may be from the same area, but they couldn't be more different when it comes to fighting for lower taxes."
Megan Tench of the Globe staff contributed to this report. 