William A. Barnstead

William A. Barnstead (died July 9, 2009) was an American businessman and politician who served as chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee from 1974 to 1975.

Early career

Barnstead was the founder of Consolidated Machine Corporation (now Consolidated Sterilizer Systems), a manufacturer of water stills and sterilizers.[1] In 1966 he was a candidate for the Sixth Middlesex District seat in the Massachusetts Senate. He won the Republican nomination by 91 votes,[2] but lost in the general election to incumbent Philibert Pellegrini 59% to 41%.[3] In 1972 he ran unsuccessfully for Middlesex Country Treasurer.[4]

Chairman

Barnstead was elected Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party on March 25, 1974 by a vote of 45-13.[5] On April 17, 1974 he became the first Chairman of a State Republican Party to ask President Richard Nixon to resign.[6][7]

Barnstead was chairman during the 1974 gubernatorial election. Less than a month before the Republican primary, incumbent Governor Francis W. Sargent realized that there was a chance that he could lose to the more conservative Carroll Sheehan. Sargent requested that Barnstead call a special meeting of the Republican State Committee so he and Sheehan could debate before them and have one of them receive the party's endorsement. Barnstead declined to call the special meeting "for the convenience of the Governor" and said that any debate between Sargent and Sheehan should be held publicly.[8] The Republican State Committee decided to host a debate on September 5, however no endorsement vote would be taken after it.[9]

After Sargent won the primary, he announced that he wanted to have Barnstead removed as Chairman.[10] On September 16, 1974 he officially asked for Barnstead's resignation and recommended that former Commissioner of Administration and Finance William I. Cowin succeed him.[11] Sargent circulated a petition requesting a special meeting of the Republican State Committee to hold a vote to remove Barnstead,[12] however a day later he announced that he was postponing his efforts to remove Barnstead until after the general election.[13] On February 4, 1975, the Republican State Committee voted to remove Barnstead as chairman.[14]

Later career

Barnstead thrice ran against Tip O'Neill for Massachusetts's 8th congressional seat, losing all three times.[15] He ran a fourth time in 1982, but lost in the Republican primary to Frank L. McNamara, Jr.[16]

Barnstead was the Massachusetts chairman of Pat Buchanan's 1992 Presidential campaign.

References

  1. "Company Profile". Consolidated Sterilizer Systems. Consolidated Sterilizer Systems. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  2. Election Statistics, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1965. p. 78.
  3. Election Statistics, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1965. p. 284.
  4. Election Statistics, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1972. p. 482.
  5. Patterson, Rachelle (March 26, 1974). "William Barnstead replaces Wahlrab as state GOP chief". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  6. Wilson, David (April 18, 1974). "Nixon 'guilty,' should quit, says Mass. GOP head". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  7. "1st State Chairman Of G.O.P. Requests That Nixon Resign". The New York Times. April 19, 1974. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  8. "Sargent Conceding He Could Lose to Challenger, Especially in Low Turnout". Associated Press. August 22, 1974. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  9. Patterson, Rachelle (August 29, 1974). "Sargent, Sheehan debate rules set". The Boston Globe.
  10. Patterson, Rachelle (September 16, 1974). "Sargent may try to oust Barnstead". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  11. Patterson, Rachelle (September 17, 1974). "Sargent asks GOP head to quit". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  12. Patterson, Rachelle (September 20, 1974). "GOP unit gets petition for meeting to oust Barnstead; House leaders demur". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  13. Patterson, Rachelle (September 21, 1974). "Sargent postpones bid to oust Barnstead". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  14. Hartnett, Ken (February 5, 1975). "Republican committee fires Barnstead". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  15. Wilson, David B. (March 1, 1987). "A Supporter's Advice: He's Got to do Something Positive". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  16. Ribadeneira, Diego (September 25, 1986). "McNamara Ideology Seen as Close to Reagan's". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Otto Wahlrab
Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee
1974–1975
Succeeded by
John W. Sears