Primary choice near for GOP

Representative Brad Jones of North Reading (right), the House minority leader, is backing former governor Mitt Romney in the upcoming Massachusetts primary. (David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/FILE 2005)

As the Republican presidential race hurtles toward its next showdown Tuesday in Florida, the wide-open nature of the contest nationwide is reflected here at home.

Even with the race well underway and a former Massachusetts governor contending for front-runner status, allegiances among active Republicans remains scattered in the region north of Boston. Mitt Romney has the support of some elected officials and party leaders, but former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, despite his perceived decline in the race, also retains some notable local backers.

There is also support for Arizona Senator John McCain, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, and US Representative Ron Paul of Texas.

Some Republicans say they welcome the competitive nature of the race here, and the fact that with the national contest still unsettled, the Massachusetts primary could have some impact this year. Massachusetts is among 22 states voting on Super Tuesday Feb. 5.

But state Representative Brad Hill of Ipswich, who backs Romney, sees a downside to the disparate allegiances.

"Unfortunately our Republican party in this state for a long time has been divided on so many issues and so many people, and that's not how you build a strong Republican party," he said. "Certainly, having a dialogue on issues is a very healthy thing to do. But I believe at some point, we do need to come together."

Hill would like to see that unity behind Romney.

"I think Mitt Romney offers the change that many people want," Hill said. "He has many positive aspects of his life, personally, and professionally. What he did with the Olympics is miraculous. He had a lot of nice little victories in Massachusetts. He's telling those stories and people are listening."

Other prominent Romney backers include House Minority leader Brad Jones of North Reading and Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins Jr. of Newburyport.

Republican State Committee member Eamon T. Fennessy of Beverly also is in Romney's corner. Fennessy, who volunteered for Romney in New Hampshire, praised him for his performance as governor and the values he brings. He also cited Romney's "executive experience" in analyzing issues and devising and implementing solutions.

Those backing Romney plan to campaign actively for him in this area, Fennessy said. "He does have an awful lot of strong support in Massachusetts, but we don't want people to be complacent."

Among those supporting McCain, Republican State Committee member Monica Medeiros of Melrose said this is one of the first times she can recall that Massachusetts "has been in play" in the national GOP race.

Medeiros said the state party's decision to do away with the "winner take all" rule of awarding primary delegates also will "keep it exciting and make people pay attention a little bit."

Frederick H. "Ted" Tarr, a former Rockport selectman, also is supporting McCain.

While he does not agree with him on all issues, Tarr, who campaigned for McCain in New Hampshire, said the Arizona senator "offers an honest evaluation of things. He certainly has experience, and he's proven himself."

Louise Callahan of Reading is coordinating efforts for McCain in her area, including Wakefield. "He holds unquestionably the most experience, credentials, and first-hand knowledge in national security," she said. "And he's the only Republican who talked about 'the surge' way back."

Senate Republican leader Richard T. Tisei of Wakefield and state Senator Bruce E. Tarr of Gloucester are two of three coordinators for Giuliani in Massachusetts.

While conceding that Giuliani is running a "very nontraditional campaign" in which he declined to actively compete in the early primaries, Tisei said if he does well in Florida, "that will put him back in the spotlight and give him a pretty good chance going into Feb. 5."

Tisei said Giuliani forces are well organized in Massachusetts, with coordinators throughout the state.

"He has a record of running New York City very effectively, and a lot of people point to that as probably the most successful example of conservative governance in the last 50 years," Tisei said. "I think he provides a lot of leadership and can move the country forward."

Republican State Committee member and Haverhill City Councilor William H. Ryan also is backing Guiliani. As a former mayor of Haverhill, "I can appreciate how tough it would be to run the city of New York," Ryan said. " He did a good job there. . . . He'd be a good president, a good manager of our country."

Nancy J. Luther, a Republican State Committee member from Topsfield, favors Giuliani for his "leadership qualities and what he said he'd do for the country."

Dale Fitzpatrick of Hamilton is serving as Essex County coordinator for Huckabee, for whom he campaigned in New Hampshire.

"Mike Huckabee is a person that we know is guided by a certain core set of principles that he's held for decades," he said of the former Arkansas governor. "He doesn't change his position according to a poll or a finding from a consultant. I think Mike Huckabee is uniquely qualified to help unify this country, right and left."

John Cunningham of Revere is part of a grass-roots state campaign on behalf of Paul. He said hundreds of volunteers are involved in the effort.

"I believe the world is best off with peace and with liberty. He's the only candidate who wants peace, who wants to bring the troops home from Iraq," Cunningham said of the Texas congressman. "And he's the only one standing up for our civil rights."