Two Openly Gay Men Prepare for Massachusetts Elections

by Pat Robinson
OITM Staff Writer

Patrick Guerriero could become the highest-elected openly gay state official in the country. photo: rose marsion

    Early in January of 2002, Massachusetts gained a new Republican and gay candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Patrick C. Guerriero.
      There has been no Lieutenant Governor since Jane Swift took the position of Governor on April 10, 2001 after Paul Cellucci left office to accept the Ambassadorship to Canada for the Bush Administration.
      If elected to the post, Melrose, Mass. resident Patrick Guerriero would be the highest elected openly gay state official in the country. He has enjoyed a very successful career in politics, as both an elected official and as an appointed one.
      Gov. Jane Swift announced on May 8, 2001, the appointment of Guerriero as deputy chief of staff in the Governor’s office. He has since resigned from that position to focus on his campaign.
      Guerriero needs to garner the support of the Massachusetts Republican convention to run as the second in line on the same ticket with Gov. Swift. This may not be as hard as one would think.
      Beginning in the Weld (R) administration, the Mass GOP has emerged as a party of inclusion for minorities, many of whom come from Democratic ranks because they get no chance of being heard in the larger party. The GOP in Massachusetts politics is a minority of its own.
      Mr. Guerriero resigned as Mayor of Melrose – a suburban bedroom community north of Boston in this, his second term. He became Mayor in January of 1998.
      Patrick Guerriero served in the House of Representatives for three terms after winning a special election in 1993, and was re-elected again in 1994 and 1996.

Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift (left) and Patrick Guerriero.

      Guerriero graduated summa cum laude from The Catholic University of America with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1990. The following year, he attended Boston College’s Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. Fellowship in American Government Program, Boston, Mass.
      Regarding gay rights, Mr. Guerriero is in favor of the all, and will push for gay marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. His boss Jane Swift however, says she is for gay issues, but is firmly against same-sex marriage. The candidates have “agreed to disagree” on this point.
      Republican candidate Jim Rappaport is Guerriero’s challenger for the GOP nomination.

Daniel Grabauskas

     For the second time in a week in January 2002, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has its second openly gay candidate.
      Daniel Grabauskas has submitted his resignation as Registrar of Motor Vehicles for the Commonwealth and has entered into the race for the GOP nomination for Treasurer. Making his first run for elected office, the 38-year-old Ipswich man said his “homosexuality is less relevant” than his record of accomplishments are. He has had the same partner for 13 years.
      “After completing my job of reform at the Registry [of Motor Vehicles], I am seeking a different set of challenges. I plan to bring the same drive, reform and fiscal responsibility to the Treasury,” he said, taking aim at the current Treasurer Shannon P. O’Brien who herself is a Democratic candidate for Governor.
      Unlike fellow gay Republican Patrick Guerriero who supports gay marriage, Grabauskas avoided the controversial issue saying he doesn’t have a strong opinion, but respects other’s; and regarding his position as a would be treasurer: “I would have nothing to say about [gay marriage].”
      On a more positive note, Mr. Grabauskas noted that, “Two gays on a statewide ticket is a credit to the Republican Party’s ‘big tent’ philosophy”.
      As of this writing, there are 4 Democrats, State Rep. Mike Cahill of Beverly; Norfolk County Treasurer Tim Cahill; Boston City Councilor Stephen Murphy; and former state Rep. Jim Segal; and Republican Bruce Hertzfelder of Cohassat who are seeking the same office as Daniel Grabauskas.