Christy Mihos in The Boston Globe

On Principles & Values: Ran for State Senate on South Shore in early 1990s

A. Well, I’m glad I did it certainly, and the best thing that ever happened to me was losing, because certainly back in 1990, 1991 the economy really just went into the tank, and I was able to focus back on Christy’s, and I was able to get through some real tough times when a lot of my peers in the business went bankrupt. I think I answered questions [in the campaign], not in a political manner, but it was yes, no, I’m for this, I’m not for that, and I was a young rookie at the time certainly.

Q. So now you would be answering questions in a far different way?

A. Look, I’ve had a lot of experience. When I got into the Turnpike Authority I was about 6 foot 2. Now I’m 5 feet 8. I got my brains beaten in by your paper and a couple others in the city. But I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned what this is all about.

On Principles & Values: Supported Romney to create viable two-party system

A. Well, certainly at the time, we all watched him open up the Olympics without a hitch and all. I knew him from his senatorial run, certainly. But if you’re looking for credit or loyalty in this business, get a dog, basically. When [Romney] was focused that first year and a half, I thought he was hell on wheels. I thought he was really going to make a difference here; he was going to build the Republican Party so we’d have a viable two-party system, but it didn’t happen. I say this all the time: There must be a seat-ejection switch in that governor’s chair, because as soon as they sit in it, pow, they want to get out, and I’ve never understood it