Lese makes Romney's cut

By ERIC GERSHON
STAFF WRITER
(Cape Cod Times, Published March 23, 2004)

HYANNIS - Speaking at a rally for Republican state Senate candidate Gail Lese, Gov. Mitt Romney yesterday said he has recruited 115 to 120 Republican candidates to run against Democrats in this year's legislative contests.

He also indicated he would campaign for Lese, while making no appearances for some Republican candidates.

"I think you'll see me in Gail's district more than once," he said, explaining that he and other party leaders consider her candidacy especially strong.

Lese, a Yarmouth physician with a business background, is challenging Democratic Sen. Robert O'Leary of Barnstable, now serving his second term, for the Cape and islands Senate seat.

Romney and his state party organization have declared it a priority to bring "balance" to the Legislature by electing Republicans this year.

"We're fighting for a forum," the governor told supporters at Lese's headquarters, on Main Street next to La Petite France Bakery.

Democrats control the House and the Senate by large majorities. A strict party-line vote would not sustain a Romney veto, diminishing his power and that of his party.

Romney told reporters at the opening of Lese's Hyannis campaign headquarters that his efforts to produce strong opposition for Democrats is in the interest of a healthy democracy.

"Some people find that offensive that I would recruit candidates," he said.

Romney said he would campaign beside "a subsection" of the candidates he and fellow state Republican leaders have recruited.

Lese apparently has made the cut.

In his remarks to scores of Lese supporters, Romney cited her professional experience as a physician and mutual fund adviser as evidence of her soundness as a candidate.

Among the crowd at the Lese headquarters were other local Republican candidates recruited by Romney, including Barnstable Town Councilor Ann Canedy, who is challenging Democratic state Rep. Demetrius Atsalis in the 2nd Barnstable District; and Richard Neitz, a Yarmouth real estate agent who is running for the seat of Republican Rep. Thomas George in the 1st Barnstable District.

George is not seeking re-election.

Romney addressed more than 100 candidates and Republican leaders at a training conference held at the Chatham Bars Inn earlier this month.

Lese declared her candidacy March 8 in appearances on the Cape, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

(Published: March 23, 2004) Cape Cod Times