“There’s over 400,000 registered Republicans in Massachusetts and not every one of them is supporting Mitt Romney for president,’’ Zykofsky said. “By virtue of having the party endorse Mitt Romney, you’re going to alienate quite a number of Republicans who then would not support the party - financially and otherwise. This is something we should not get involved in.’’
Instead, the board agreed to give Maginn the right to make an individual endorsement - a rare move in a contested primary, in which chairmen traditionally remain neutral to demonstrate fairness among GOP contenders.
A party spokesman, Tim Buckley, denied that Maginn had sought the endorsement of the full party, saying he was seeking an individual endorsement all along. He also said that Maginn would “absolutely not’’ resign over his recently disclosed Democratic contribution.
“Bob is a proud Republican and has been a strong and consistent supporter of Republicans and Republican causes for years,’’ said Buckley. “Last year alone, the chairman raised or contributed some $500,000 for GOP candidates and causes.’’
Maginn, the chief executive of Jenzabar Inc., a software company, was elected state party chairman Nov. 30 on the strength of his ties in the Republican party and his fund-raising prowess. A finance cochairman of Romney’s last presidential campaign, he was viewed as the favored choice of both Romney, with whom he worked at Bain & Co., and US Senator Scott Brown, who faces reelection this fall.
Maginn agreed to take the post without pay, and brought on Peter Blute, former congressman and former radio host, as his unpaid deputy. He also hired Blute and another former congressman and former state GOP chairman, Peter G. Torkildsen, at his software company.
Activists had already challenged Maginn during his campaign for chairman over his donation of $2,400 to US Senator Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat considered a bane of the right.
