Lincoln Dinner Draws Together Franklin and Medway Republicans

Left to right, Reps. Marcus Vaughn and Michael Chaisson, Medway RTC Chair Tim Harris, listen to Rep Steve Xiarhos. Rep Soter is immediately behind Xiarhos.

Lincoln Dinners have long been a staple of the Republican party,
celebrating the life and legacy of the Republican who put the then
new political party ‘on the map’ in the 1850s and then led the
nation through its greatest crisis.

On Wednesday
evening, Lincoln’s actual birth date, over
100 Republicans and Independents from across Massachusetts gathered
at La Cantina Winery in Franklin for a boisterous
celebration organized by Franklin Republican Town Committee (RTC)
Chair, Dashe Videira, with strong support from Medway RTC Chair Tim
Harris and his wife, Republican State Committeewoman Leanne Harris.

The
event brought together local Republican Town Committees (RTCs), state
committee members, and elected officials, emphasizing Lincoln’s
principles of unity, freedom, and opportunity. The evening featured
Sheriff Lew Evangelidis of Worcester County as the keynote speaker,
along with remarks from Republican leaders highlighting Lincoln’s
continued impact and the importance of grassroots activism today in
maintaining a vibrant democracy.

"This
dinner is not just about history—it’s about continuing Lincoln’s
work by standing for liberty, personal responsibility, and a
government that truly represents the people," said Videira.

Representatives
from seven
other RTCs attended
the event, including:

• Bellingham
• Foxboro
• Milford
• Needham
• Wrentham
• Sandwich
• Barnstable

In
addition a
number of other state
committee members and
elected officials were in attendance, including:

• Amanda
  Peterson, State Committee Woman (Norfolk, Worcester & Middlesex
  District) & Secretary
  of the State Party
• Ryan
  Chamberland, State Committee Man (Worcester & Hampden District)

• Representative
  Michael Chaisson (1st
  Bristol District)
• Representative
  Marcus Vaughn (9th
  Norfolk District)
• Representative
  Mike Soter (8th
  Worcester District)
• Representative
  Steven Xiarhos (5th
  Barnstable District)

"Kudos
to Franklin RTC Chair Dashe Videira for putting together a thoroughly
fun and informative evening,” enthused
Milford RTC Chair, Ann Ragosta.
“The fact that four
of our Republican State Representatives and Sheriff Lew Evangelidas
not only attended, but took numerous questions from attendees,
demonstrates the commitment our Republican leaders have to engaging
with and protecting
their constituents and being good stewards of their hard earned tax
dollars. These are the types of events that keep voters
engaged," she
added.