Copyright 2004 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.  

"State rep: GOP flier nearly racist"

By: Karen Nugent; TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF


A flier mailed by the state Republican Party to constituents in the 12th Worcester District accusing state Rep. Harold P. Naughton Jr. of supporting college tuition breaks for illegal immigrants has provoked an angry response from Mr. Naughton, a Clinton Democrat.

''It borders on racism,'' Mr. Naughton said yesterday. ''It's the most base example of gutter politics I have seen- a good example of stretch-and-strain politics.''

The flier, which many constituents received in the mail this week, has a photograph of Mr. Naughton on it, with the words, ''It was a simple choice, and Harold Naughton picked educating illegal immigrants over our children.''

The flier, which has a return address in Boston and says, ''paid for by the Massachusetts Republican Party,'' goes on to say that Mr. Naughton ''turned his back on some of our best and brightest students here in Massachusetts.''

Timothy J. O'Brien, executive director of the state Republican Party, said the flier points out a proposal by Gov. Mitt Romney to give tuition breaks at state colleges and universities to high school seniors who score in the top percentile on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests. Seniors must pass the test to receive a high school diploma in Massachusetts.

Mr. O'Brien contends that Mr. Naughton- sticking with the Democratic leadership in the House- voted against the governor's plan, but in favor of giving tuition breaks to illegal immigrants. ''Where are Harold Naughton's priorities?'' Mr. O'Brien asked yesterday.

Mr. Naughton said the vote for tuition breaks for illegal immigrants was an amendment to the fiscal 2005 budget, which will end June 30. He said the amendment was supported by House and Senate Republicans, and an individual vote on the topic never took place in the House.

''This material (the flier) is not only negative, but it is an outright lie,'' he said.

Mr. Naughton, a 12-year veteran of the House, is challenged this year by James B. Stanton, a Republican from Boylston.

The 12th Worcester District encompasses Boylston, Clinton, Lancaster, Northboro and Sterling.

Mr. Stanton, who was campaigning door-to-door yesterday afternoon, said he had heard about the flier, but had not seen it.

Mr. Naughton, who started his political career on the Clinton School Committee, said his supporters began calling immediately after receiving the flier in the mail. He said at least a dozen people called yesterday. He is also circulating a letter written by William F. Connolly Jr., a Clinton business owner and staunch Republican, which takes exception to the flier.

''This type of ad only alienates potential voters. In the future, I will target my support directly to candidates and will never again be contributing to the (Republican) party,'' Mr. Connolly said in the Oct. 12 letter.

Mr. O'Brien questioned Mr. Naughton's charge that the flier is racist.

''It's irresponsible of him to try to stir up emotions like that,'' Mr. O'Brien said.