Gay Republican runs for Mass. lieutenant governor
Can a gay Republican win high elective office in one of the most liberal states? That's a question Massachusetts state Sen. Richard Tisei [R-Wakefield] must be pondering as he seeks to become the first openly gay lieutenant governor in the nation.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker picked Tisei, the Senate's minority leader, last week to be his running mate.
There are a number of hurdles to jump before Tisei can reach the Bay State's second most prominent executive office. The team will face Christy Mihos in a potentially contentious Republican primary next September. If the ticket wins, Baker and Tisei will be in a three-way contest in November. Democratic incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray are seeking reelection. State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, a Democrat, is running as an independent.
Tisei, whose Senate district includes Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Lynnfield and his hometown of Wakefield, is not the first gay Republican to be a candidate for Massachusetts lieutenant governor. Acting Gov. Jane Swift picked Patrick Guerriero as her running mate in 2002 before she declined to run against Mitt Romney in the primary. Romney won the general election.
While his sexuality was common knowledge among his legislative colleagues, the senator didn't come out publicly until the Boston Globe reported it the weekend before Baker announced his decision.
"I was asked a question and gave an honest answer," Tisei told EDGE by phone during his first LGBT media interview Nov. 25. "I've never been asked by a member of the press or my constituents about my sexual preference and assumed that no one cared. That's the way it should be."
Asked whether he came out because he anticipated Baker would select him, he said it wasn't a factor. One of four finalists, he said he was not certain the gubernatorial candidate would choose him at the time of the Globe interview.
"I've never lied about who I am," Tisei said. "All my friends, family, colleagues and supporters know. It wasn't really a big deal. I don't think anyone was shocked. I told the Globe it wasn't exactly a news flash and it really wasn't."
Baker, who has a gay brother, pointed out Tisei is a longtime friend. And he added he knew his now running mate was gay long before he decided to choose him.
He regrets the news media have highlighted Tisei's sexual orientation rather than his credentials.
"Every story refers to me as the openly gay running mate rather than minority leader," he reported. "I've been a legislator for 25 years. I don't want to focus on just the one aspect of my being. I've been elected 13 times based on my job performance and that's how everybody should judge me. Your sexuality shouldn't be the first thing that someone knows about you."
Tisei and Bernie Starr, his partner in life and business, own Northrup Associates, a real estate firm in Lynnfield. And the couple has entertained legislative colleagues at their home.
Baker and Tisei are opposing a sitting governor with a lesbian daughter who remains extremely popular among LGBT Bay Staters. Patrick, however, has had to cut the state budget, including social programs, to the bone in a tough economy. And he signed a 25 percent sales tax increase that went into effect Aug. 1. Tisei said he believes the governor is vulnerable.
Observers label him a social liberal and fiscal conservative.
"I think I have a great fiscal record," Tisei said. "I've never voted for a tax increase."
Massachusetts business organizations and a major anti-tax group have already given the senator high ratings. Tisei added he understands these issues as a small business owner.
"As a realtor, I've sat down with a lot of people at their kitchen tables recently who have lost their jobs and can't afford their homes anymore," he explained. "I deal with a lot of real-world situations. I understand the anxiety that people feel in the state right now and can voice those concerns."
Tisei added his legislative experience, which Baker, a former business executive, doesn't have was a reason he was chosen.
"The Legislature is dysfunctional because Patrick can't get along with the legislators," he maintained.
Republican lawmakers are nearly an endangered species on Beacon Hill. Tisei is one of only five GOP members in the Senate-just over 12 percent of the total. With 16 seats, the party controls only 10 percent of the House.
As minority leader, Tisei has proven himself a powerful advocate for the Commonwealth's LGBT residents.
Former state Sen. Jarrett Barrios, who is now president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said Tisei played a crucial role in the battle to keep marriage off the ballot in 2004. Barrios, who is the first Latino and openly gay person ever elected to that legislative body, spoke with EDGE in a phone interview on Nov. 28.
"A key reason for the legislative success of gay marriage was the widespread Republican support, particularly among those in the Senate," Barrios said.
He further applauded Tisei's role in this effort.
"During our effort, Richard was one of our Senate whips," Barrios continued. "He rounded up votes, particularly among Republicans, and held onto the votes in the face of right-wing attack. It was much more risky for Republicans to support us because of their voter base. He never wavered and spoke out against the anti-marriage forces from day one."
Asked what he thought of Tisei's being closeted during the marriage battle in spite of the fact his colleagues were aware of his sexuality, Barrios noted there were several Democrats and Republicans who were not out.
"What mattered more to me wasn't their personal choice but their public support of marriage equality and gay families," he emphasized.
EDGE asked Tisei if he and his partner have considered getting married. His answer was noncommittal.
"We're in a great relationship and if that changes I'll let you know," he said.
Tisei further said he may approach the Washington-based Victory Fund for an endorsement.
"I suspect that I probably will," he continued. "I'm going after every vote and support from everywhere. I don't know why I wouldn't. I would hope they would consider me a worthy candidate."