I was in Mass. until last winter, and one thing I remember from there is that even though the GOP has held the Governorship since Pee Wee Dukakis' failed run, is that each Republican candidate must be a left-leaning RINO to get the office. Straight conservative values in such a state won't fly. The majority is just too liberal, and even the grass roots GOP is a bit left.
BTW: Last week I began re-reading "AT ANY COST" and "The Plot to Steal the Presidency", both books about the 2000 election and the Florida mess. I recommend reading them both (again if you already have). There were just so many tricks, twists, and turns that even years later I nearly perforated an ulcer from anger.
That's not true here. The moderates lose really badly in statewide elections, far worse than conservatives do.