2012 was a tough year for Massachusetts Republicans. There’s long been a divide in Massachusetts between the party’s moderates and conservatives, and this past election cycle seemed to cut the divide deeper.

The current Massachusetts Republican party chairman will step down this month, opening up the field to a new crop of candidates who want to lead the Massachusetts GOP. Boston Public Radio kicked off its series of interviews with the candidates running for the Mass GOP chair with Dean Cavaretta and David D’Arcangelo.