The Acton Republican Town Committee (ARTC) convened Feb. 18 at the Acton Memorial Library to host the local Republican Caucus and select delegates to represent the Acton community at the Massachusetts Republican State Convention, which will be held on April 25 at the Worcester Civic Center. The State Convention, representing all towns, cities, and municipalities across the state, is held to decide the slate of candidates in the September state primary. The contenders for the governor’s seat are Mike Kennealy, Brian Shortsleeve, and Mike Minogue.
The caucus was facilitated by ARTC Chair Linda Mustoe and State Committeeman for the Middlesex-Worcester District Dave Lunger. Acton’s registered Republicans were invited through local media to participate as potential delegates in the April caucus. Acton has 23 delegate slots to represent the more than 1000 republicans and conservatives who reside in Acton. Fourteen total delegates were selected to represent the Acton community at the convention in April: members of the Acton Republican Town Committee Dave H. Lunger, James Conboy, Claudia Bishop, Thomas Beals, Robert Vanemburgh, Joseph Timothy Shea, Gregory Bishop, John Norton, Gary Grossi, Katrina Buck, Kenneth Henderson, and Linda Mustoe; and Acton Republicans at large Scott D. Smyers and Dean J. Cavaretta.
The Middlesex-Worcester District encompasses a vast geographic area. Dave Lunger identifies the demographic as being, “…a grass roots movement of ethnically and economically diverse individuals who are unified in keeping America strong through hard work and traditional values.” He explains, “In the Republican Party, all are welcome, and open dialog with a return to civility is encouraged. We are all Americans first and we stand behind America first.”
Most towns and municipalities have a local Republican Committee belonging to a wider district that meets state wide four times a year. In Massachusetts, the Republican Party is a small political machine as, historically, Massachusetts has had a strong Democratic presence. The ARTC has been active in promoting local civics by gifting the Acton School District an American flag and encouraging the reciting of the pledge in the Acton-Boxborough School District. Local speakers and leaders are often hosted by the ARTC to inform and engage the public in an exchange of topics and ideas.
Many of the members of the ARTC are associate members from our neighboring towns who attend to share in camaraderie and fellowship. The ARTC meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Faulkner Homestead (built 1707) located on 5 High St. in Acton.
Katrina J.Buck is an Acton resident and a member of the Acton ARTC.
