Massachusetts Governor Names Gay Running Mate
Swift Says Candidate Has Experience
Posted: 6:42 p.m. EST January 3, 2002
BOSTON -- Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift ended a statewide search for a running mate Wednesday by selecting someone from the office next door.
Patrick C. Guerriero, a former state representative and Melrose mayor, was announced as Swift's pick for lieutenant governor. Until the announcement, Guerriero was Swift's deputy chief of staff.
The pairing presents an unconventional Republican ticket, with Swift, 36, linked up with Guerriro, 33, an openly gay Republican Party activist. They both admitted that they will have an uphill battle.
"Patrick and I will have to earn the support of the public," Swift said.
Swift searched for a running mate after Republican Jim Rappaport, who ran for U.S. Senate unsuccessfully in 1990, announced that he would seek the lieutenant governor nomination despite Swift's objections. She would not admit that Guerriero was not her first choice.
"I acknowledge that there's been a lot of speculation and gossip, and I think the most important thing is that Patrick accepts the challenge before us," Swift said. "He's willing to step up to the plate, and I am pleased and honored that he's doing that."
Guerriero said that it is also not important whether he was the first choice.
" I take particular inspiration from (Patriots quarterback) Tom Brady, who wasn't selected the first round of the draft, either," Guerriero said.
While it was not a secret, Guerriero acknowledged publicly for the first time that he is gay, calling it a footnote to his personal history. While Swift said that they are philosophically compatible, she opposes gay marriage, while Guerriero supports it.
"Patrick and I have agreed to disagree on this issue," Swift said.
Guerriero also said that he was not concerned about their split on the issue.
"I should make it clear that I would never accept to be Gov. Swift's lieutenant governor if I wasn't entirely convinced she's a woman who believes in fairness and equality," he said.
Swift made naitonal headlines last year when she became the country's youngest governor after former Gov. Paul Cellucci was named ambassador to Canada. Swift then became the first governor to give birth while in office.
Before the two can run together on the ticket, they must first battle in the Republican trenches. In Massachusetts, the lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor. Rappaport is rich, conservative and heavily plugged into the GOP system. He could easily snag the nomination.
"I'm happy to be running with a person who's never lost an election," Swift said, taking a dig at Rappaport's loss to Sen. Edward Kennedy.
Political observers questioned whether Swift's choice of Guerriero was what she needed to win the election.
"Given the concerns that people have expressed in the polls and the party, she would have been better off with a more like a Cheney model -- someone older, more statesman, more experienced to balance out her credentials," political consultant Mary Ann Marsh said.
Like Swift, Guerriero said that the main issue in the election is the economy. He opposes all new taxes and believes that education is a top priority.
Copyright 2002 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
