Confessions from the Campaign Trail

My name is Chad Smith: I am the Campaign Manager for Erin Calvo-Bacci, and I have a confession to make.

I’m not a Republican.

Years ago, I left the Republican party, disenfranchised by the persistence of religion in the old party platform and their embarrassing disdain of science. I also didn’t particularly care for their treatment of homosexuals. This was a number of years ago, but I am as convinced now as I was then that I was right to leave. I agreed with a lot of conservative values, mostly when it comes to economics and law and order, but I knew I could no longer bear the standard of the GOP next to my name.

On paper, this should come as no surprise. I’m a Massachusetts native: educated and an atheist. I spent the last 10 years in environmental science and I’m married to a Mexican-American. I’m pro choice, pro gay equality and I really, really do not like country music.

So no surprises there, right? Obviously not Republican material. Next.

Erin Calvo-Bacci was the surprise. Knowing every last detail I just outlined for you: she picked me as a key advisor. It’s not because of my organizational skills: I lose my keys every time I set them down. It’s not for my tech savvy, because until I started working for her, I had a flip phone.

I believe she picked me because she saw another conservative who wanted change. But unlike me, Erin Calvo-Bacci never gave up on the GOP. Leading by example, she embodies the change she wants to see in her home district and in her party.

I believe in Erin because she is the absolute best of both worlds: a social liberal and a fiscal conservative. She is nothing if not pragmatic... she has to be; she’s a mom and a businesswoman: two jobs that never sleep. This causes her look at the world from an objective point of view, always seeking the most effective answers and not just ones that adhere to Party dogma. This is the exact opposite of what we see today in our political process in the Bay State.

Let’s be painfully honest with ourselves for a moment, dear reader: both you and I know that each party is great at a hand full of things and horrible at the rest. I challenge any sane person to argue that their party gets it right all the time… or even most of the time. Democrats are great for the environment: check. Republicans galvanize business: check. Democrats seem to be failing us on crime and punishment, Republicans seem to be failing sixth grade science.

Nevertheless, the problem with Massachusetts is that there is no debate, no argument… no democratic process. There is virtually no opposition to call out lawmakers on their bad ideas and no competition to forge better ones. Everyone one on Beacon Hill agrees nearly all the time: because they are all essentially the same person. Mostly white, mostly male... mostly lawyers, and deeply liberal. Now, that last part is okay when we are talking about protecting a woman’s right to choose or attempting to stymie climate change: but what about some of the biggest problems we face as a Commonwealth? How is your cost of living these days? What about your cost of health care? Can your kid find affordable housing in the town you raised her in or does she live in New Hampshire now?

We continue to fail on basic economics because the majority on Beacon Hill never once has to work with the minority if they are not inclined to do so... and why would they? Their majority is absolutely veto proof: all they have to do is ignore their colleagues and pat themselves on the back in front of the cameras.

This is the problem with states that have an extreme super majority. Just as Mississippi and Alabama are plagued by low incomes and education gaps, Massachusetts, California and New York are educated and cultured, but our cost of living keeps the poor poor and the young at home with their parents. This remains unchanged over three generations because there is no diversity in our legislature to challenge bad ideas. Erin is fond of using scientific analogies for our politics: if our legislature were the environment: evolution would cease because there is no pressure to evolve… no mechanism for change.

Together, we can shake things up.

Jason Lewis is Erin’s opponent in this race, and he’s not a bad guy. He’s the kind of person you can disagree with, but you can see where he is coming from. He’s got good goals, just largely unrealistic methods. It disappointed me greatly that he went so negative so early, attacking the Calvo-Bacci family chocolate business was uncalled for, but it’s really the worst thing I have to say about him. The real problem is that Beacon Hill is full of people just like Jason Lewis. It would be like having a collection of every “D” volume of every encyclopedia ever made: sure it’s impressive, but it’s just not that useful.

So why am I addressing you directly? Recently I was called out by a paid member of Jason Lewis’ campaign because, of all things to take issue with: I waived compensation. I’m a volunteer. Lewis Campaign Staffer Jim Alexander sees this as some kind of sin, I would guess because he does well enriching himself off your campaign donations. Erin, myself and her wonderful staff work tirelessly because we know it is the right thing to do. Putting a likable, in-touch, common sense, Republican on Beacon Hill is exactly the change we need in both Massachusetts and the Republican Party: reasonable, compassionate moderates who bring new ideas and fiscal responsibility to old problems that have yet to be solved.

Chad R.A. Smith

Campaign Manager

www.voteforerincalvobacci.com