~ The Advocate Asks ~

An interview with Saugus Republican Town Committee Chair Chris Luongo on the state of the Republican Party in Saugus, Mass., and the nation

  Editor’s Note: For this week, we interviewed Chris Luongo, who was recently appointed chair of the Saugus Republican Town Committee. We asked him about the state of the Republican Party in Saugus, his thoughts on former President Donald Trump – the Republican candidate for president – and his chances of beating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, in November. We also asked him about the state of the Republican Party in Massachusetts.

  Luongo, 61, was born in San Jose, Calif., and moved to Saugus in 1968. He graduated from the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School, where he learned his trade as a carpenter. He has been in the construction industry for 44 years and is currently a construction supervisor for Wise Construction, where he has worked for the last 18 years. He has lived in Saugus since he was six years old. His wife, Louise, grew up in Saugus and is a Saugus High School graduate. They have been married for 38 years. They have two daughters, Nicole and Alicia, who grew up in Saugus. Nicole graduated from Texas Christian University (“Go Frogs”) and Alicia graduated from Quinnipiac University (“Go Bobcats”). Luongo served for six years as a Town Meeting member representing Precinct 9. He also served for four years as head of the town’s Building Committee. He is a longtime member of Saugus Knights of Columbus Council 1829, where he currently serves as district deputy. He spent eight years as a coach in youth soccer. He is a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Church of Saugus.

  Some highlights of this week’s interview follow.

  Q: Please tell me about your involvement in politics at the local level. How many years have you been a member of the Town Republican Party Committee?

  A: 10 years.

  Q: How is it that you became the chair this year?

  A: I have been a Republican all of my life and am a true believer in “We the People” and “For the People.” Our longtime Chairman Jim Harrington was stepping down, and a vote was taken at our last committee meeting.

  Q: Chris, what’s the state of the Republican Party in Saugus, Massachusetts?

  A: Currently the state of the Republican Party is very small in Saugus, and we are trying to grow. We are always looking for new members and would encourage everyone to think about the last four years and ask yourself, “Can we do better?” If your answer is yes, please come and join our group. Massachusetts has always been a state to vote Democrat and it is time for a change. We cannot be bystanders as this country and state become a one-party rule and slips toward socialism. Be a leader and not a follower.

  Q: Donald Wong seems to be the hallmark of the party’s success in Saugus. Why is that? Why does he have such a lock on the 9th Essex House District seat?

  A: Donald Wong is a respected individual in the Saugus community and a respected representative of the Republican Committee. He is one of the hardest working people I know, and his dedication to his district is why he gets votes from both sides of the aisle. I am looking forward to working with him on the committee.

  Q: Are you surprised that not only in Saugus, but in the other two communities [Lynn and Wakefield] that make up the 9th Essex House District, that the Democrats couldn’t field a candidate to run against state Rep. Wong this year and in the previous two elections?

  A: I believe it would be hard to find a candidate with more of a work ethic and a connection to the community than Mr. Wong.

  Q: So, do you think Rep. Wong will have the seat for as long as he wants?

  A: I certainly hope so, although I would like to see him run for higher office in the state. His leadership qualities could certainly be used at a higher level. I just think his talents could bring him to higher office if he wanted.

  Q: Do you see any political trends in Saugus?

  A: I believe people are realizing that the state leadership that spends a billion dollars on illegal immigrants and ignores its citizens cannot be sustained by our tax dollars. I do see some political trends in Saugus that lean towards bringing back American core values.

  Q: What’s the state of the Republican Party in Massachusetts?

  A: We need more members to voice their concerns over politics as we see it today. I see this state as a one-party system; we need a two-party system to maintain our democracy. If we don’t start correcting at the local level, we will become a one-party system, which is not what America was meant to be. It is up to us to keep our democracy. People need to understand that having a different political value is ok and does not always need to be negative.

  Q: Could you think of a presidential election where there are so few local choices on the ballot? No Republicans are running against these incumbent Democrats: State Sen. Crighton, State Rep. Giannino (two precincts in Saugus), Congressman Moulton, Clerk of Courts Driscoll or Governor’s Councillor Kennedy. Why the paucity of candidates running in the local election this year, especially on the Republican ballot?

  A: The Democratic Party, as I see it today, is a big money-making machine, and individuals on the Republican side just don’t have the power or money to challenge the machine created by the one-party system currently in place in the state. I hope change is coming.

  Q: What’s the state of the Republican Party in the nation?

  A: The Republican Party has become more united over the years, but it needs to grow, and we need you, the people.

  Q: Let’s look ahead to November: the race for president. Are you optimistic? What do you think is going to happen?

  A: Well… I already feel that democracy was tainted when Kamala Harris was “appointed” by the Democratic Party and she did not receive one vote. How is that democracy – that your vote didn’t even matter? I am optimistic that this country will vote to correct the path we are on.

  Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses you see in Donald Trump?

  A: Donald Trump’s strength is his love for the country and is a great leader. The media portrays him as a racist and he is not. He is for all people.

His weakness is he falls for the baited question posed by the so-called media. His vision and ideas for the country when he was president gave us the strongest four years we have seen in a long time.

  Q: What do you think makes him the best candidate to be president?

  A: He is a great leader and can work with parties on both sides. Look at his track record when he was president before COVID-19 hit this nation. Recently, he joined forces with Democrat Robert Kennedy, Jr. and Democrat Tulsi Gabbard. He has also asked Elon Musk to lead the government efficiency commission if elected to audit the government. He is not afraid to surround himself with the best talent no matter what your political affiliation is.

  Q: What’s going to be the defining issue in this election?

  A: Economy and border.

  Q: Do you think it’s going to be close in November?

  A: Unfortunately, I do. It has been strategically the plan.

  Q: Do you think Trump would have an easier time facing President Biden?

A: Yes, no doubt.

  Q: Is former President Trump going to take Saugus this time?

A: He should. Saugus is a community of hardworking individuals who, I believe, are starting to realize that they need to keep the money they work for.

  Q: Let’s talk a little about the race for the U.S. Senate seat that’s on the ballot – now held by Sen. Elizabeth Warren. What do you think about John Deaton’s chances of unseating Sen. Warren? What are Deaton’s strengths and weaknesses in this race?

  A: Elizabeth Warren is now part of the radical left, which supports a socialist economy. John Deaton is a Marine and lawyer. He just seems like an honest guy who will put this state first. I can’t think of one thing she’s done for the state since getting elected to the Senate. The Democratic machine will just swallow him up. I’m not optimistic just because of the way the one-party system works in this state. I hope he gives her a run for the money. That’s the best we can hope for.

  Q: What about the U.S. House and Senate races? How do you think the Republican Party will do?

  A: I do believe this state is ready for a change in leadership.

  Q: Anything else that you would like to share?

  A: Absentee ballots, now known as mail-in ballots, should be available only to those who have a need. Votes should be counted in one day. Keep our constitutional republic alive.