Mass. GOP Chair Amy Carnevale Steps Down After Statewide Election Losses
Elizabeth Dionne has entered the race to replace Carnevale, promising an unpaid term to fix the party's finances.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Amy Carnevale announced on Monday that she will not seek a third term as chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party. The decision follows a night of heavy losses for the GOP in Tuesday's state elections. Carnevale, a lobbyist and state committee member, first took the role in 2023 after narrowly beating Jim Lyons.
Carnevale credited the committee for changing the organization during her tenure. In an email to members, she stated that the party faced nearly one million dollars in debt when she arrived. She noted that the group was also out of compliance with the Federal Elections Commission and the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. She said the team resolved all but one legal matter and stabilized the party's finances.
The party suffered defeats in races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state, and U.S. Senate. Republicans also lost several U.S. House seats and at least three seats in the state House. Carnevale described the cycle as demanding, noting that not every effort produced the desired outcome. She said the staff remained committed to candidates despite an unpredictable political environment.
Elizabeth Dionne has already announced her candidacy to succeed Carnevale. Dionne, a Belmont attorney and town official, filed for the post on Sunday. She ran for treasurer this year and lost. In her announcement email, she called Tuesday's results devastating but argued that the party must organize now to check the Democratic majority on Beacon Hill. She pledged to work without a salary for the full two-year term if elected and asked other candidates to make the same commitment.
Dionne identified fundraising, clear messaging, and strategic planning as top priorities. She stated she knows where the party falls short in supporting candidates for elected office and promised to address those issues. She said she has already contacted many members and plans to meet with them in the coming weeks.
Gene Parini is the only other candidate to emerge so far. The chairman of the Sandwich Republican Town Committee said in September that he planned to run for the position. The Massachusetts Republican Party will elect its next chair in January.
Carnevale said she was proud of the dedication shown by the state committee and staff throughout the cycle. She noted that the party made history in 2024 by helping to flip multiple seats and defending every Republican incumbent. She said the organization's infrastructure improved significantly under her leadership.
