Republican Rep. Marcus Vaughn of Wrentham to offer rebuttal to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's State of the Commonwealth address

Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald on Jan 8, 2025

Published in News & Features

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Republican Party tapped Rep. Marcus Vaughn, a Republican from Wrentham, to offer a rebuttal to Gov. Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth address next week, a yearly speech where the governor is expected to outline top priorities.

The party turned to a lawmaker who they argue is on the frontlines of the state’s effort to react to an influx of migrants — his district is home to a Norfolk prison turned migrant shelter — and a rising star among Massachusetts conservatives.

MassGOP spokesman Logan Trupiano said Vaughn is tackling the challenges of increased migrants in Massachusetts “head-on in his district” and is a “dynamic” leader.

“Recently, he triumphed in his second election, which was touted as a competitive race — but he far exceeded expectations,” Trupiano said in a statement to the Herald. “A dedicated family man and small business owner, Rep. Vaughn embodies the future of the party here in Massachusetts.”

Vaughn is a second-term legislator who represents Norfolk, Plainville, Wrentham, and parts of Medfield, Millis, and Walpole. He beat Democrat Kevin Kalkut with more than 57% of the vote in the November election, according to state data.

Healey’s second State of the Commonwealth address could offer more insight into the governor’s third-year priorities and fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.

It will come as the first-term Democrat is grappling with the fallout of high-profile crimes at state-run shelters housing migrants and local residents, the state’s highest court striking down key housing regulations, and days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office.

Vaughn will speak after Healey’s speech, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16, according to the governor’s office.

Sen. Peter Durant, a Spencer Republican, gave the Republican rebuttal to Healey’s address last year. He painted a bleak picture of a state spending billions on shelters, tax revenues in decline, and residents fleeing for other states that were more affordable.

“As we enter 2024, we find ourselves asking some simple, yet familiar, questions: Are we better off today than we were 12 months ago, and are we headed in a direction that will make us better off? Unfortunately, for too many families the answer is ‘no,’” Durant said.

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