Harnett, a businessman and author from Concord, served as campaign manager for GOP congressional candidate Vince Coakley last year. Coakley lost to Democrat Alma Adams in a strongly Democratic district.
Harnett, who will be the state party’s first black chairman, says he can expand the GOP’s appeal to minorities.
“If you can raise money in that district, you can raise money anywhere,” Harnett said. “We need a bold, reinvigorated Republican Party who listens to the grass roots. Together we will win in 2016 because teamwork makes the dream work.”
