ESTBOROUGH - Seeking to end Democratic control of the Massachusetts Legislature, more than 200 potential GOP candidates and activists gathered yesterday to strategize about filling the State House with more Republicans next year.
''While the economy appears very strong, unemployment is way down and wages are way up, people are asking: `Are we headed in the right direction?''' said Plymouth District Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, who may try to unseat US Senator Edward M. Kennedy in November. ''People are ready for a change and this creates some great opportunities for Republicans this year.''
The daylong session, most of which was closed to reporters, consisted of workshops on campaign fund-raising, database management, targeting voters, and dealing with the media.
Governor Paul Cellucci, dressed in a golf shirt, khaki slacks, and a sports jacket, said the lack of a strong Republican Party means there is danger of returning to the days of high taxes and high spending that brought Massachusetts to the brink of fiscal ruin.
''We have had great success in pushing tax cuts, but the liberals are pushing back,'' he said. ''They don't want to cut the income tax from 5.95 percent to 5 percent. We need more Republicans to provide the balance to continue to move the Republican agenda, which we think is good for our state.''
Chawner Hurd, a Lakeville selectman who expects to take on incumbent Senator Marc R. Pacheco, said he is running because he believes the people of his district want the fiscal conservatism championed by Republicans.
Gary Pritchett, an operations analyst from Dighton, plans to run for the seat vacated by state Representative Joan M. Menard. He said he switched to the GOP because he likes the conservative message of lower taxes, personal accountability, and standards for education.
Ron Kaufman, a member of the Republican National Committee, predicted Texas Governor George W. Bush will win Massachusetts in November and carry statewide Republican candidates into office.
However, a recent poll by the University of Massachusetts showed that Bush's lead over Al Gore in October of 46 percent to 38 percent has reversed. The latest poll shows Gore ahead with 52 percent to Bush's 28 percent.
Democratic House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran said yesterday that the success of the Democratic Party in Massachusetts is always subject to change. ''If we mess up, [the voters] will hit us, but if we don't mess up, the voters will send us back,'' he said.
