Former state representative Geoff Diehl has his eye on a higher office.
The Whitman Republican, in an address to an Independence Day “Freedom Festival” in Hadley on Sunday — hosted by the GOP Patriots group which supports the Trump-Pence conservative agenda — announced a candidacy that will focus on the impact of over-taxation and reckless government spending.
“I’ve served in the legislature and seen, first-hand, the impact government regulations have on businesses they don’t necessarily understand but want to control,” Diehl said. “The pandemic response of a total shut down of the economy, followed by arbitrary federal, state and local regulations only made it harder for the small businesses to stay alive, especially in the restaurant and hospitality industries. And I remain mystified how the big box stores like Home Depot remained open while your local hardware store was forced to close. Let that chapter of our state’s history remain a powerful example of what can never happen again.”
Diehl last ran for state-wide office in 2018, in an unsuccessful challenge to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. He told the Hadley audience that, having been furloughed from his job at a healthcare company while helping his wife KathyJo keep their performing arts studio going, gave him an insight into what small businesses face.
“Making sure Massachusetts is creating the best scenario for job growth is the key to a strong recovery because keeping people on enhanced unemployment is not the answer,” Diehl said.
He also proclaimed his total opposition to the Transportation Climate Initiative signed onto by Gov. Charlie Baker.
“The last thing working families in Massachusetts need is added cost to commuting, food and goods that are already being hit by the inflationary effects of massive federal spending,” he said. “All the original New England states have failed to join in the ‘cap and trade’ scheme and even environmentalists discount the projections for emission reduction.”
He also supports “Backing the Blue” and “making sure local school boards are given the funds and control to determine the best curriculum for their students,” in order to turn more decision-making to the local level.