New Bedford Republicans, success at the polls this past Election Day (Tuesday, November 6, 2007) has supplanted a growing trend of pessimism for SouthCoast GOP at the grassroots level.   Faced with a steady supply of political hurdles approaching the election cycle of 2008, Republicans (and specifically New Bedford Republicans) have been actively aware that the groundwork set forth in 2007 has an impact upon municipal, statewide and national races during the upcoming presidential contest and throughout.
 
Since early 2007, the New Bedford Republican Party has identified certain goals and strategies for better mobilization of its New Bedford and SouthCoast support base as well as generation of more successful get-out-the-vote methods for attracting GOP voters to the polls.  Additionally, the Party has sought to identify more inclusive ways to assist GOP candidates in the construction of successful campaign organizations and the recruitment of financial, media and human support.  Despite the overwhelming 8:1 Democratic to Republican ratio in New Bedford, the New Bedford Republican Party has enjoyed success in the races for Ward 1 and for School Committee.

Seeking re-election to a third term as New Bedford’s Ward 1 Councilor, Republican Linda Morad has exemplified the modern, inclusive and intuitive SouthCoast Republican candidate.  Though municipal races are structured as non-partisan (de jure), by custom, candidates have exceedingly run for elected office behind one of the major political parties (de facto).  An engaging and compelling candidate, Councilor Morad enticed voters with a strong record of accountability and action throughout her previous four years of service to New Bedford’s Ward 1.  Running on a strong platform of fiscal responsibility to tax-payers with an emphasis on accountability for municipal spending, Councilor Morad demonstrated a particularly well-suited ability to attract voters from the entire spectrum of the voting electorate.  Personal and candid by nature, Councilor Morad has reached out and has been successful as a New Bedford Republican due to a simple strategy for reorganizing her political priorities to assimilate with prevailing local sentiment and voting moods alongside her own commitment to traditional values and deference to our American culture and upholding municipal and federal laws.

A relative newcomer to the political arena, Republican Jill-Marie Ussach won a seat on New Bedford’s School Committee as a result of better organization and get-out-the-vote techniques.  Coupled with the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth College Republicans, Ms. Ussach actively pursued the youth vote to mobilize and generate enthusiasm for her campaign.  Supremely well-qualified for a seat on New Bedford’s School Committee, Ms. Ussach reached out to voters who were dissatisfied with the committee’s seeming lack of energy and enthusiasm for enhancing New Bedford’s schools.  A simple strategy of voter identification, and mobilizing a small, but effective power base was critical to success for Ms. Ussach.  An additional campaign platform that identified goals in alignment with the majority of New Bedford citizens’ views was also an asset to the race (smaller class sizes, search for Superintendent of Schools, federal, state and business grants and funding partnerships, longer class days, more technical and vocational training).  Endorsement and support by the New Bedford Republican Party helped make Ms. Ussach a viable Republican candidate in a tremendously Democratic city race.

Buoyed by these successes in 2007, the New Bedford Republican Party looks forward to the 2008 contests.  Positive and optimistic, New Bedford Republicans have helped to demonstrate that grassroots activism and a coordination of get-out-the-vote and support-base mobilization can help to enhance the electability of Republican candidates in overwhelmingly Democratic regions. 

The New Bedford Republican Party looks forward to recapping this Fall’s election results and formally acknowledging Councilor Morad and Ms. Ussach at its next meeting on Tuesday, December 11 at New Bedford’s City Hall at 6:30PM in the Ashley Room.

For more information on how to join the New Bedford Republican Party, and how to become a candidate for elected office, please visit the SouthCoast GOP website:  www.semassgop.com or inquire with New Bedford Republican Party chairman, Nathan Pierce (newbedfordgop@yahoo.com).

SouthCoast GOP

Information regarding the SouthCoast GOP (Republican Party)  - agendas, how to join, contact information and an events calendar may be found at:  www.semassgop.com

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