Trump Adviser Lewandowski Joins Diehl's Campaign For MA Governor

BOSTON — Former Donald Trump presidential campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski has entered the fray of the Massachusetts governor's race as a senior adviser to Republican candidate Geoff Diehl.

Diehl said the Lowell native, who flirted with a run for a New Hampshire U.S. Senate seat in 2019, has joined his staff along with former New England Patriots defensive lineman Fred Smerlas and his wife, Kristy, who will be campaign fundraising co-chairs.

"I am pleased to have Corey on this team and honored that he believes in this campaign," Diehl said in announcing the additions. "Corey has worked on campaigns at every level of government, including the presidential level, and is a key adviser to have in running this campaign."

Democratic candidate and Attorney General Maura Healey was quick to jump on the move, saying the appointment is telling of Diehl's "vision" for Massachusetts.

"Taking us backwards on climate, equality, racial justice, and economic growth," she posted on her campaign Twitter account.

Lewandowski was Trump's campaign manager early in the 2016 race before being fired in favor of Paul Manafort, who was later also replaced and eventually jailed on conspiracy and jury tampering charges.

Lewandowski has been no stranger to controversy himself as he was charged with misdemeanor battery for grabbing a reporter's arm at a Trump campaign event in 2016 — the charges were later dropped — and then in 2021 he was accused of making unwanted advances toward a prominent donor at a Las Vegas charity event.

Diehl said in Tuesday's statement that Lewandowski has been helping with the campaign since January.

Smerlas, a football and wrestling star from Waltham, went on to a Pro Bowl NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and the Patriots. He became a sports media personality after his retirement and still co-hosts a Patriots postgame show on WEEI-FM. He and Kristy own a restaurant in Providence, R.I.

Lewandowski and the Smerlases join campaign manager Amanda Orlando and media representative Peggy Rose on the Diehl campaign.

"Our team has grown exponentially in the last few months and will continue to do so," Diehl said.

Diehl has staked an early claim as the right-wing candidate in the primary that also includes Republican businessman Chris Doughty of Wrentham. Trump endorsed Diehl's candidacy in October ahead of Gov. Charlie Baker's and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito's announcement that they would not seek a third term together.