By Chip Harrington

I don't need to tell you that our hyper-partisan political system has become very polarized. But it does raise the question: "Where do moderates like myself fit in, especially here in Massachusetts?"

On the national level each of the two major parties continue to go to their extreme left or right in order to cater to the "party faithful" in a system dependent on party primaries. One year ago, a Bernie Sanders vs. Donald Trump showdown seemed impossible, but at this moment it could very well be a reality. Both of those candidates represent the extreme wings of their respective parties; leaving moderates like me with the choice of the "lesser of two evils" which seems to happen all too often.

Chip Harrington

I experienced this as a candidate for State Senate in 2014 when I ran as a moderate Democrat. I participated in all of the Democratic caucuses and often felt that I did not fit in because of my moderate beliefs.

I am fairly progressive on social issues, but remain fiscally conservative. I would speak about the faulty thinking by our state which incentivizes people to not work by continuing to expand social programs that are being abused by too many. I would caution voters about increasing the minimum wage too high, too soon, because small business owners like myself would be impacted negatively.

Being a part-time police officer, I supported giving our law-enforcement agencies more resources to combat the opiate and heroin epidemic we are dealing with in Massachusetts and beyond. For these and other positions I took as a candidate I was told by one Democratic Party activist that I was a "bad Democrat." And that was not the only time. I think I need to make a bumper sticker that says "Bad Democrat on Board!"

If being fiscally responsible with tax dollars made me a bad Democrat, then I do not have a place in the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

A few months after the 2014 election cycle ended I changed my voting status to unenrolled and joined the large majority of voters here in Massachusetts who have not declared to be a member of either party. When I talk to my friends here in the Pioneer Valley it is clear that most people are frustrated with the pettiness that takes place in politics.

During my 27 years as a registered voter I have always voted for the person and not the party. I count John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Tip O'Neill and Bill Weld all as political figures I admire and respect.

Although I do not agree with all of his policies I have been impressed with Gov. Charlie Baker's ability to work with a democratic legislature and find common ground. I feel Gov. Baker has struck a balance between being fiscally responsible and socially progressive and that is very refreshing as a voter here in the Commonwealth. I credit that for his success.

The reality is that whether someone chooses to be a moderate Democrat or a moderate Republican those titles actually are pretty close to each other on the political spectrum. Some may lean slightly left, or slightly right, but in the end they are like a vast majority of voters in the Commonwealth who want our elected officials to respect an individual's rights while also holding the line on spending.

Today's Massachusetts GOP understands that more than the Massachusetts Democratic Party. It is clear to me that the Massachusetts Republican party is much more moderate than the National Republican party that we see leaning toward much more hard line conservatives. Massachusetts has a long history of successful moderate Republicans; U.S. Senators Henry Cabot Lodge and Edward Brooke, Governors William Weld and now Charlie Baker and even locally we had State Senators Brian Lees and Michael Knapik.

After multiple conversations with people all over the spectrum I have come to the conclusion that the Massachusetts GOP is much more of a big tent party than today's Massachusetts Democratic Party. Whether you call them Rockefeller Republicans, Bill Weld Republicans or now Charlie Baker Republicans; I am proud to count myself as one. I am very pleased to know that there is an option here in Massachusetts for moderates like myself in the Mass GOP.

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James "Chip" Harrington is a Ludlow resident, part-time Ludlow Police Officer, vice chair of the Ludlow School Committee and local small business owner.