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Mike Kennealy, former economic secretary under Baker, launches Republican bid for governor

Mike Kennealy, former economic secretary under Baker, launches Republican bid for governor

Boston Globe07-04-2025

In a
'The unspeakable violence in migrant shelters is a human tragedy and a national embarrassment,' Kennealy says in the video. 'The political class on Beacon Hill is more concerned with their future than with ours.'
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Kennealy worked in private equity before he was tapped in 2013 as a special adviser in Lawrence Public Schools, which was put under state receivership in 2011. After Baker left office in 2023, Kennealy has worked as a senior advisor and chief strategy officer at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, according to his campaign.
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He likely won't be the only Republican to enter the race. Senator Peter Durant, a Spencer Republican and vocal critic of Healey's handling of the shelter system, has said that he's
Brian Shortsleeve, a former chief administrator of the MBTA under Baker, is also considering getting into the race on the Republican side, according to GOP insiders.
Healey has said she'll seek a second term amid a rapidly shifting political environment. She is trying to govern a blue state at a time when President Trump has returned to the White House, and has increasingly criticized the president, be it on
Kennealy did not mention Trump during his two-minute launch video.
He has yet to open a fundraising account with the state's campaign finance office, making it unclear with what kind of financial support he could be entering the race.
Healey entered April with nearly $2.9 million at his disposal after raising more than $400,000 in March alone.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Matt Stout can be reached at

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GOP lawmaker flips script on Newsom, Bass by defining anti-ICE riots with 1 word
GOP lawmaker flips script on Newsom, Bass by defining anti-ICE riots with 1 word

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time10 minutes ago

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GOP lawmaker flips script on Newsom, Bass by defining anti-ICE riots with 1 word

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Rep. Darrell Issa is blasting elected Democrat officials in his home state of California over their response to the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles after he called for a congressional investigation into the response time of local law enforcement. "These are the same people that tell us, you know, Biden was fine, he was on the top of his game," Issa said about Democrat narratives responding to the riots that have been unfolding in Los Angeles since Friday. "So their credibility goes with what you see versus what they say. I can't think of a better example of why you shouldn't believe or vote for people in that party as long as they're willing to literally lie to your face on what you're seeing with your own eyes." Democrats across the country, from California to Washington, D.C., have downplayed the rioting and focused on the claim that the majority of the anti-ICE displays have been "peaceful." Additionally, California Gov. 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Iowa governor rejects GOP bill to increase regulations of Summit's carbon dioxide pipeline
Iowa governor rejects GOP bill to increase regulations of Summit's carbon dioxide pipeline

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Iowa governor rejects GOP bill to increase regulations of Summit's carbon dioxide pipeline

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday rejected a bill that could have introduced more complications for a massive carbon-capture pipeline project routed across several Midwestern states, issuing a rare veto in the Republican-controlled statehouse. The legislation was designed by Iowa House Republicans to increase regulations of Summit Carbon Solutions' estimated $8.9 billion, 2,500-mile (4,023-kilometer) project that cuts across Iowa and already has an approved permit in the state. But the bill provoked loud opposition from members of Iowa's powerful ethanol industry, which argued the project is essential for Iowa's agricultural dominance, for farmers and for construction jobs. And it exposed a rift within the party over how to protect property rights. 'While I shared the bill's goal of protecting landowners, good policy should draw clear, careful lines. This bill doesn't,' said Reynolds, a Republican, in the explanation of her veto. 'It combines valid concerns with vague legal standards and sweeping mandates that reach far beyond their intended targets.' Despite her veto, Reynolds said she was 'committed to working with the legislature to strengthen landowner protections, modernize permitting, and respect private property.' Iowa state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican who supported the bill in the House, said Wednesday that her commitment is too little, too late. 'If she was willing to work with us on this, where in the world has she been the last three years?' Kaufmann said. 'She is clearly not siding with the constitutional rights of landowners but rather she's siding with special interests.' Summit has said it has invested nearly $175 million to enter into voluntary agreements with landowners in Iowa and more than $1 billion on the project overall. In a statement, Summit thanked the governor for a thoughtful review of the bill and said their goal is to proceed with voluntary agreements with landowners. Even with the relief from Reynolds' veto, Summit will likely have to readjust plans after South Dakota's governor signed a ban on the use of eminent domain — the government seizure of private property with compensation — to acquire land for carbon dioxide pipelines. Summit's permit application was also rejected in South Dakota. The project has permit approvals in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota but faces various court challenges. The Iowa bill would have prohibited the renewal of permits for a carbon dioxide pipeline, limited the use of such a pipeline to 25 years and significantly increased the insurance coverage requirements for the pipeline company. Those provisions would likely have made it less financially feasible for a company to build a carbon dioxide pipeline. 'We look forward to continued discussions with state leaders as we advance this important project,' Summit said Wednesday. 'At a time when farmers are facing increasing pressures, this project opens the door to new markets and helps strengthen America's energy dominance for the long term.' Rift in Republican-controlled statehouse Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley said after Reynolds' veto that he would pursue a special session to vote on an override, saying in a statement that the veto 'is a major setback for Iowa.' The Iowa Constitution states that a request for special session from two-thirds of both chambers, or the governor, can bring lawmakers back to Des Moines. Two-thirds of both chambers would need to vote for an override for the bill to become law without the governor's approval. 'We will not stop fighting and stand firm on our commitment until landowners' in Iowa are protected against Eminent Domain for private gain,' Grassley said. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver suggested that would be unlikely in his chamber. 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Families file suit challenging Arkansas law that requires Ten Commandments be posted in classrooms
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