Politics & Government

MassGOP Spikes Gregoire; Legislator Denies Ignoring Gun Briefing to Watch Soccer

Claims and counter-claims kicked around in 4th Middlesex District race.

Sports fans from around the world last week were glued to their screens watching soccer in Brazil, so it would not be surprising if a state representative or two took in some of the action on screens while working on Beacon Hill. 

But in one such case, a local rep has come under fire for seemingly ignoring a briefing during one of the matches, something she denies.

State Rep. Danielle Gregoire, D-Marlborough, who represents the city as well as the towns of Northborough and Westborough, was pictured watching the Netherlands vs. Argentina soccer match on July 10, according to a post on the MassGOP’s website, in the middle of a briefing about the new gun control law being forwarded by House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop.

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The controversial gun legislation has been amended and spoken about for a bit of time now but as noted in the post, a number of legislators have complained about not having enough time to read or hear about the bill.

MassGOP Executive Director, Rob Cunningham, quipped that while some reps were trying to find out what was going on, Gregoire was “sitting on the sidelines” taking in the game, and presented a picture to prove his point.

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“Residents expect her to show up and to speak for them,” he said, “instead, she watches a soccer game – and not the US team, mind you – Argentina and the Netherlands. She needs to get her priorities straight.”

Gregoire, however, challenged the accuracy of the depiction of the photo, stating the she had spent the afternoon “carefully considering the bill” and speaking with constituents about the issue.

“What you do not see in that photo is my phone in my other hand and I was reaching out to those who had called me for feedback on the newly re-drafted legislation,” she stated in an email on July 16. “Also, the House was in recess and no debate was occurring. That video was simply streaming in the background as I went about my legislative duties.”

On the gun bill, Gregoire stated that she received input from residents on both sides of the issue and “worked diligently” to ensure that the concerns of all were heard.

“The final legislation requires compliance with the national instant background check system, an upgrade from the current system,” she noted. “Stronger penalties will be enacted for illegal gun use and trafficking in addition to the creation of a new State Police unit to enforce those laws. Upon enactment, school districts, subject to funding, will be required to have a resource officer, who is in direct communication with law enforcement in the event of an emergency. Further still, the final bill extends our commitment to mental health treatment and domestic violence prevention … When all is said and done, this legislation will protect citizens from violence, while recognizing and respecting the second amendment rights of all citizens to keep and bear arms.”

Republican Marlborough City Councilor Matt Elder, who is facing off against Gregoire this November for the seat, took to Twitter to comment about the photo, calling it an “unfortunate decision” on her part to be watching soccer instead of doing her job.

Kristine Coffey-Donahue, an attorney from Westborough, has also expressed interest in running as an independent and has until late August to submit 150 signatures to gain ballot access.

The 4th Middlesex District is considered to be one of the most hotly contested races in the state. Gregoire served for a term between 2008 and 2010 but lost re-election by about 100 votes. She won the seat back in 2012 by more than 200 votes. 


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