Local Political Leaders: Martinez Win Huge for Tea Party Movement

As Chelmsford Republican Sandi Martinez prepares to go head-to-head against Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, for the third Middlesex State Senate seat, she and other political leaders are discussing what her win means for the Tea Party movement.

Martinez, who co-founded the Greater Lowell Tea Party, said she believes she won because "the people have had enough."

"They're tired of giving everything to the government and having to make due with less themselves," she said. "It's not about wanting to be influential or powerful ... It's trying to bring a voice to those who aren't being listened to."

Martinez said voters are unhappy with Dahlberg and other "New England" moderate Republicans.

"That type of Republican is something people are saying 'no more' to," she said. "If you want to be a Republican, be a Republican, don't just wear the name."

The Tea Party is not necessarily an organized party, but more of a concept and a movement, Martinez said, and people are flocking to it for many different reasons. Some people are drawn to Martinez politically for her fiscal conservatism, she said, while others agree with her conservative stance on social issues.

And the mainstream media hasn't been fair to the Tea Party, Martinez said.

"They disparage us. They try to paint us and it's not a pretty picture," she said. "It's a concept rather than something concrete, you can't say every Tea Party person must believe this one thing, because they (all) don't."

Dahlberg disagrees with Martinez, saying he's happy to see more people getting involved in their government through the Tea Part, but he has concerns about how well the candidates will do in the general election.

"I am concerned that we're nominating these folks, and it's great they're winning in primaries, but we have yet to see how they do in the general election," he said. " I want to see Republicans elected in November, so I'll withhold final judgment until Nov. 3. There's a perception (Tea Party members are) a little bit off the wall."

Dahlberg said more moderate Republicans like himself, former Gov. Paul Cellucci, and even U.S. Senator Scott Brown are not a dying breed.

"Look at our candidate for governor and lieutenant governor," he said. "We just elected Scott Brown and I'd character him as a fiscal conservative but a social moderate. I just think the state is going through some changes, the whole country is, and the upheaval is just one piece of that."

Chelmsford Republican Town Committee Treasurer Paul Rigazio said Martinez  won the race for numerous reasons.

"I think she won primarily because of her activity with the Lowell Tea Party and being very active in the Republican Town Committee over the last three years since she ran for State Senate the first time," he said.

Rigazio called Martinez a "true Republican."

"She's a strong Christian, which I think is favorable in some ways, but some people (do not think s0). She's pro-life, I believe, and pro-traditional marriage, and I think America is going through some moral identity questions. I think she is very clear on where she stands and people appreciate that," he said.

Rigazio agreed with Martinez that the mainstream media is unfair to the Tea Party, saying it's the "silent majority coming forward, upset with overspending and overtaxing."

"How she'll do against Fargo, I'm not certain," said Rigazio. "(Fargo's) strengths are Waltham and some other locations, but hopefully the people of Massachusetts will realize the way we're going and we need a course correction."

Chelmsford Democratic Town Committee Chairman Sam Poulton said the race between Dahlberg and Martinez was an interesting one to watch. Poulton said Martinez "has a chance" in winning the State Senate seat, but predicts Fargo will win it.

"I think the voters made a very clear choice (in the primary)," he said. "I think the Tea Party is different things to different people, and that's why so many people are voting that way."

Poulton thinks voters will have a clear choice between Martinez and Fargo, which is the way "it should be."

"The choice will be made on the issues, the philosophy, on candidates' resume, effectiveness and record," he said. "Fargo has been re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote consistently, so there hasn't been any anger specifically aimed at Fargo that I can see."

Still, Poulton said he doesn't know if there is enough anger among voters to impact the race.

"Certainly, the nomination went to the person who represented the most change I think," he said. "I'm confident Fargo will be re-elected, but we'll certainly have a debate on issues and direction of the commonwealth.  It'll be a very exciting time for Chelmsford voters and voters throughout the district."

Chelmsford Republican Town Commitee Vice Chairman Kelly Curran said she thinks Martinez will win against Fargo.

"Fargo has been senator for 12 years and I think people looking for something new and someone to go in and change things up a little bit," she siad. "And what I really like about Sandi is you will never find anyone who works as hard as (she does).  I know she'll work hard for all of us and I mean it from the heart, she is extremely hardworking."