Gordon M. Nelson

Gordon M. Nelson (died July 21, 1993 in Boston, Massachusetts[1]) was an American stockbroker and political figure who served as chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee from 1976 to 1980.

Nelson first became involved in politics in 1964 when he worked for Barry Goldwater's Presidential campaign. He was later a founder and executive director of the Massachusetts chapter of Young Americans for Freedom.[1] He also formed Republicans for an Effective Grass Roots Organization (REGRO), a grassroots organization that sought to attract disenchanted Democrats to the Republican Party.[2]

On May 19, 1976, Nelson was elected Chairman of the Republican State Committee.[3] During his tenure as chairman, Republican enrollment decreased[4], Republican Senator Edward Brooke lost his re-election bid, and Republican Francis W. Hatch, Jr. lost the 1978 gubernatorial election. Nelson was criticized by his opponents for his partisan support of conservative Republicans and for his inability to smooth over differences within the party.[5] On April 8, 1980 he was defeated by State Representative Andrew Natsios.[6]

Following his defeat, Nelson served as a Republican National Committeeman.

References

  1. ^ a b "Gordon Nelson, an ex-chairman of Mass. Republican Party; at 51". The Boston Globe. July 23, 1993. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8237585.html. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  2. ^ "Busing Creates Mass. Republican split". Associated Press. May 3, 1976. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R_xHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vwANAAAAIBAJ&pg=1992,312804&dq. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  3. ^ Taylor, Benjamin (May 20, 1976). "Gordon Nelson elected Bay State GOP chairman". Boston Globe. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1976134142.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  4. ^ "Massachusetts Registered Voter Enrollment: 1948-2004". Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Elections Division: Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleenr/enridx.htm. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  5. ^ "[ Globe Staff ... "]. Boston Globe. March 6, 1980. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/685486671.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  6. ^ King, Nick (April 9, 1980). "Natsios Ousts Nelson in GOP". Boston Globe. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/685562521.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
Party political offices
Preceded by
John W. Sears		 Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party
1976-1980		 Succeeded by
Andrew Natsios