On a Facebook post yesterday, MassGOP State Senate candidate Manny Silva thanked God, his supporters, family, campaign committee, friends, and campaign manager Jason Ross after a State Senate race decided by fewer than 90 votes, then accused opponent Gabriel Boomer Amaral of falsely claiming ten days before Election Day that Silva had watched the abuse of little girls and stayed silent to protect his job—an allegation Amaral allegedly learned in May but withheld until late in the campaign, which Silva called a complete fabrication.
Silva argued that Amaral’s post-election statement thanking him, wishing his family well, and speaking of shared purpose contradicted that earlier charge, insisted he had run honestly while Amaral had not, and said he would keep defending his record, speaking the truth, and working for the community, with more still to be said and accountability still needed.
This morning on Facebook, Silva followed up by repeating that Amaral’s late-campaign accusations were and remain false, standing by his earlier statement and noting that Amaral has made many other false claims against him on social media, but as a Christian he said Scripture requires more than exposing wrongdoing and asked supporters to pray for Gabriel Amaral—for humility, recognition of the seriousness and harm of the charges to Silva, his family, school administrators, and the truth itself, and for repentance and restoration rather than ruin.
Silva said Amaral still must be held accountable for the false accusations, yet he does not want him destroyed and hopes he will take responsibility and receive the same grace in Christ that covers Silva’s own failures, citing Matthew 5:44 on loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you.
Amaral now faces off against powerful Democrat incumbent Michael Rodrigues on November 3rd for the First Bristol and Plymouth State Senate Seat. According to the latest Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) reports, Rodrigues had over $1.1 million in campaign funds compared to Amaral’s $3,206.
Rodrigues is also Chair of the Massachusetts Ways & Means where he writes the Senate’s version of the $60-plus billion state budget and screens almost every bill with a fiscal impact, so largely decides what gets funded, delayed, rewritten, or killed. It’s widely known that the Ways & Means Chair position ensures extra funds for the district and an Amaral win would mean powerful position would move to another district.
