PHILLIPSTON — Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl spoke to a receptive gathering of about 30 people at the King Phillip Restaurant Sunday afternoon.
The former state representative from Whitman, serving the 7th Plymouth District from 2011 to 2019, was an early supporter of former President Donald Trump and was the only Republican legislator to endorse Trump in the 2016 GOP state primary. Returning the favor, Trump issued an endorsement of Diehl’s candidacy on Oct. 5.
The event, sponsored by the Orange Town Republican Committee, drew attendees from around the area, including Athol, Gardner, Phillipston, Royalston, Hubbardston and Westminster.
Diehl touched on several issues that are priorities with many conservative Republicans.
The first was that of critical race theory, which he said, in spite of denials, is being taught in Massachusetts schools.
“CRT is not being taught in our schools, right?” he asked rhetorically. “It takes different names. There’s culturally responsive training, is what they’ll call it. They’ll have some other different name.
“But basically, what’s happening is, the racism that you and I have tried to keep our kids from experiencing or promoting, they are now promoting, the schools are now promoting by putting this in the classroom to make kids feel like they are obligated or — oh, another race — for something that happened hundreds of years ago,” Diehl said. “It’s not what I want for my kids. They’re not even admitting they’re doing it, and yet they are. They’re trying to cover their tracks right now.”
Diehl also faulted state Attorney General Maura Healey, in part, for the decision of gunmaker Smith & Wesson to leave Springfield.
“You’ve got an attorney general who wants to make one of the guns that they make — which is 60 percent of their economy — make it illegal to make in Massachusetts,” he said. “So, they have to leave.”
Diehl also took aim at some of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine mandates by employers.
“People were on enhanced unemployment for so long,” he said, “that a lot of them left the workforce and stayed out of the workforce, so companies are having a tough time hiring them. And if you weren’t staying out of the workforce for that, you’re getting fired if you don’t get the vaccine. So, nurses are being fired out of their hospitals, even though they were first responders and have natural immunity in some cases.
“By the way,” he added, to applause, “do you think nurses might know what’s best for their own body? I certainly do.”
Diehl also stressed the need for support for small business, and the need for more parental involvement on local school boards.
A couple of attendees wanted assurances that, if elected, Diehl would not become a second Gov. Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican who has worked with the overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature.
“If I don’t win this race,” he responded, “that’s fine. I have nothing to lose. That’s why, as I run for this office, you’re going to hear me tell the truth about everything because I have nothing to lose, nothing to hide. I can’t prove, after I’m governor, that I’m not going to do anything that you’re not going to like, because how can I project ahead? But I’m going to tell you what my track record is. I have nothing to lose and I’m going to stand up for every issue we believe in — and I’ve been doing that for years.”
In an interview, Diehl said that despite harsh criticism from former President Trump of the bipartisan infrastructure deal signed into law Monday by President Joe Biden, he would not turn away the $12 billion targeted for Massachusetts in the bill.
“Look, Massachusetts has had a need for a long time for infrastructure improvement,” he said. “As a governor, that’s not something I would be rejecting. We’ve got needs for the MBTA, I want to have the east-west rail looked at, I want to see that South Coast rail gets followed through with. I’m a believer in making sure our state does a better job with overall infrastructure for transportation, but also infrastructure for Wi-Fi in Western Mass., making sure we augment housing in Central and Western Mass.
“My job,” he continued, “as chief executive of the state, is to make sure we get things done with the resources we’re given.”
Asked if he would ask former President Trump to campaign on his behalf, Diehl said, “In 2018, when I ran against Elizabeth Warren, I had no problem standing alone, although certain national figures did come up to support me. But that was their choice.
“If people want to get involved in my campaign,” he continued, “I’m certainly excited to work with them, but I’ve always felt it’s up to me to make my case.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com