 

In this week’s episode of Political Contessa, Jennifer welcomes Mike Kennealy, Republican candidate for Governor of Massachusetts. Mike is a lifelong Massachusetts resident, business leader, and father. With nearly two decades of experience in private equity and twelve years devoted to public service, Mike's impressive career includes serving in Governor Baker’s cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, as well as turning around the Lawrence Public Schools. Mike has also served as finance chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party and worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston to improve outcomes for youth in some of the state’s most underserved communities.



Jennifer and Mike dive into the realities of political leadership in Massachusetts, highlighting what makes New England Republicans unique and contending with the state’s overwhelming Democratic dominance. Mike shares his vision for achieving equal opportunity across Massachusetts, shining a light on entrenched achievement and life expectancy gaps between communities just miles apart. They discuss controversial topics, including the state’s multi-billion dollar migrant crisis, leadership shortcomings in the current administration, and the failure to address root causes of inequity despite progressive rhetoric. Mike contrasts his “coalition-builder” approach with what he sees as Beacon Hill's passivity, emphasizing the urgent need to listen, innovate, and act on behalf of all residents. The conversation challenges sound bite politics and calls for real solutions to ensure Massachusetts isn’t just number one in averages, but in opportunities for every community.



“I made a conscious decision when I was 45 that I was going to leave the business world behind and dedicate the rest of my days professionally to public service here in Massachusetts.” ~ Mike Kennealy



This week on Political Contessa:
The unique identity and priorities of New England Republicans
The critical achievement and life expectancy gaps between different Massachusetts communities
Mike’s leadership experiences: from private equity to turning around Lawrence Public Schools
Failures of the current state leadership to address the crisis and seize the opportunity
How Massachusetts loses young people due to unaffordable costs and limited opportunities
The state’s costly response to the migrant crisis and its impact on local communities
Initiatives to ensure equal educational and workforce opportunities for all residents
The importance of coalition-building and listening across party lines



Connect with Mike Kennealy:

Campaign Website

 

Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa

 

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts

 

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you’ve ever considered running for office – or know a woman who should – head over to politicalcontessa.com to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.

&nbsp;
In this week&rsquo;s episode of Political Contessa, Jennifer welcomes Mike Kennealy, Republican candidate for Governor of Massachusetts. Mike is a lifelong Massachusetts resident, business leader, and father. With nearly two decades of experience in private equity and twelve years devoted to public service, Mike's impressive career includes serving in Governor Baker&rsquo;s cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, as well as turning around the Lawrence Public Schools. Mike has also served as finance chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party and worked with the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Boston to improve outcomes for youth in some of the state&rsquo;s most underserved communities. 
Jennifer and Mike dive into the realities of political leadership in Massachusetts, highlighting what makes New England Republicans unique and contending with the state&rsquo;s overwhelming Democratic dominance. Mike shares his vision for achieving equal opportunity across Massachusetts, shining a light on entrenched achievement and life expectancy gaps between communities just miles apart. They discuss controversial topics, including the state&rsquo;s multi-billion dollar migrant crisis, leadership shortcomings in the current administration, and the failure to address root causes of inequity despite progressive rhetoric. Mike contrasts his &ldquo;coalition-builder&rdquo; approach with what he sees as Beacon Hill's passivity, emphasizing the urgent need to listen, innovate, and act on behalf of all residents. The conversation challenges sound bite politics and calls for real solutions to ensure Massachusetts isn&rsquo;t just number one in averages, but in opportunities for every community. 
&ldquo;I made a conscious decision when I was 45 that I was going to leave the business world behind and dedicate the rest of my days professionally to public service here in Massachusetts.&rdquo; ~ Mike Kennealy 
This week on Political Contessa:
<ul>
<li>The unique identity and priorities of New England Republicans</li>
<li>The critical achievement and life expectancy gaps between different Massachusetts communities</li>
<li>Mike&rsquo;s leadership experiences: from private equity to turning around Lawrence Public Schools</li>
<li>Failures of the current state leadership to address the crisis and seize the opportunity</li>
<li>How Massachusetts loses young people due to unaffordable costs and limited opportunities</li>
<li>The state&rsquo;s costly response to the migrant crisis and its impact on local communities</li>
<li>Initiatives to ensure equal educational and workforce opportunities for all residents</li>
<li>The importance of coalition-building and listening across party lines </li>
</ul>
Connect with Mike Kennealy:
<a href="http://mikekennealy.com/">Campaign Website</a>
&nbsp;
Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa
&nbsp;
Thanks for tuning into this week&rsquo;s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6ImzVp6n3MBUcMBP8jsZhu">Spotify</a> I <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=656529">Stitcher</a> I <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-contessa/id1588917810">Apple Podcasts</a> I <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-political-contessa-87658237/">iHeart Radio</a> I <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Political-Contessa-p1531739/">TuneIn</a> I <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvZGFlMDZlNGItMGQ0YS00YmZjLTljZGEtYWRhMjAwZmFjMjNlL2Y5ODQwODQzLWIyNjUtNDI0Mi05MWFiLWFkYWYwMGFlODZmOC9jYzc1YWM1MS1hZGU1LTQwYmEtYmY5My1hZGFmMDBiMmM5NjMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M%3d">Google Podcasts</a>
&nbsp;
Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you&rsquo;ve ever considered running for office &ndash; or know a woman who should &ndash; head over to <a href="http://politicalcontessa.com/">politicalcontessa.com</a> to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you&rsquo;re ready to enter the political arena.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.  My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.  I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.  Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Political Contessa

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.

Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

I’m Jennifer. I’m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.
Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
I&rsquo;m Jennifer. I&rsquo;m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I&rsquo;m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I&rsquo;m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>