September surprise shakes GOP primary

It’s a twist few saw coming: one of Donald Trump’s biggest Massachusetts allies is breaking rank with the former president in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

Howie Carr is telling his listeners to vote for Chris Doughty over Trump-endorsed Geoff Diehl based on who he believes has the best chance against Democrat Maura Healey in November.

The talk radio host and Boston Herald columnist who’s influential in Republican circles made his pick the same day Diehl’s campaign announced Trump would hold a telephone rally for Diehl and his running mate, Leah Cole Allen, on primary eve.

Carr’s not-quite endorsement further divides the conservative class in a primary that will determine not only which Republican takes on Healey, but also the future direction of a state party plagued by infighting.