8/8/2019 Paul Loscocco

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8/8/2019 Paul Loscocco

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prevailing administration among members of their currently opposing camps (with longstanding prior relationships in theDemocratic Party) were also being arranged.

The moment my running mate looked me in the eye and essentially admitted that his campaign was coordinating efforts withthe Patrick campaign and the Democratic Governors Association for what I considered to be the sole purpose of defeatingCharlie Baker served as the defining moment for me in making the difficult decision to withdraw from the Cahill-Loscoccoticket. Given the many months I spent actively campaigning throughout Massachusetts with a passionate team of volunteers,it was with a sense of profound sadness that I recognized that this situation was deeply troubling and totally unacceptable. In

the days following my last meeting with Tim, I struggled to find a reason to continue while knowing that our ticket could notwin (and, in my opinion, with other factors appearing to be influencing campaign strategy), but my conscience would not letme and I finally came to terms with the shattering reality of what I needed to do. After discussing this situation with myfamily, I made the decision, solely on my own, to withdraw from the campaign.

Despite the anticipated uproar and baseless speculation which I certainly knew would follow my announcement to withdrawfrom the race, but recognizing that I could not in good faith be part of what I believe to be coordinated efforts seeking to re-elect Governor Patrick, on September 30th I reached out to Charlie Baker without reservation to offer him my full andunconditional support and endorsement. There were no dirty political tricks or insider deals between Charlie Baker and me.I explained privately to Charlie my reasons for leaving the Cahill campaign and my decision to support the Baker-Tisei ticket.I never asked for anything from Charlie Baker and he never offered me anything.

My loyalty as the candidate for Lt. Governor was always to the people of Massachusetts. I ran with the hope of bringingindependent leadership and meaningful change to Beacon Hill, with Republican ideals to balance our ticket - not to be part of aTammany Hall Democrat patronage system (which is what I believe the campaign has devolved into).

I had been previously been told by some within the campaign that there were certain serious ethical problems that made someof the senior staff at both the campaign and the Treasury extremely uncomfortable. At the time of the press conferenceannouncing my withdrawal, I had no physical evidence of any wrongdoing so I did not mention these things. I decided,however, that I did not want to be part of any campaign that I believed to be resorting to desperate measures with therecognition that it cannot win.

The primary between the Independent ticket and Republican ticket in the hearts and minds of the voters who want a changefrom Governor Patrick is now over: Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei have prevailed. Clearly, either Charlie Baker or DevalPatrick will be the next Governor of Massachusetts.

Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei represent the best hope we now have for meaningful change, lower taxes, a better economy,

and effective and responsive government in Massachusetts. We share a similar vision for our State and for the hopes andaspirations of those who live here.

I made what I strongly believe is the right decision and did this for the right reasons. I am confident that history will ultimatelyagree.

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