News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: THE LEFT’S EARLY MOVES in GUV RACE — CRONIN gets AMBASSADOR nod

Thursday, June 24, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: THE LEFT’S EARLY MOVES in GUV RACE — CRONIN gets AMBASSADOR nod — Super PAC hits AIRWAVES for CAMPBELL

Jun 24, 2021

WHERE THE PROGRESSIVE CHIPS ARE FALLING IN THE GUV RACE — When Sonia Chang-Díaz delivered the maiden speech of her gubernatorial campaign, a who's who of progressive activists and lawmakers were quite literally behind her.

There on the steps of Boston's English High School stood state Sens. Jamie Eldridge and Rebecca Rausch, state Reps. Liz Miranda and Nika Elugardo, Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia and Calla Walsh of Markeyverse and Gen-Z activist fame, to name a few, all cheering and waving signs emblazoned with Chang-Díaz's name.

The value of scoring early — and highly visible — support from prominent progressives and younger activists like Walsh wasn't lost on Chang-Díaz, who included a snapshot with several from the younger set as one of three photos in a tweet recapping her launch.

Chang-Díaz's show of big progressive energy didn't exactly take her Democratic rivals — former state Sen. Ben Downing and Harvard professor Danielle Allen — by surprise. Chang-Díaz was an organizer who built a reputation as a progressive firebrand over a decade-plus on Beacon Hill, and her appeal to the new generation of activists was clear when they literally created a petition to draft her into the race.

Her rivals, who are also running as progressives, now have to work around it. Allen's campaign — which includes two consultants from Sen. Ed Markey's 2020 reelection bid — knows she doesn't necessarily align with the aims of the young activists who powered Markey to primary victory over Rep. Joe Kennedy III. She "wants to be engaged with them," senior adviser Scott Ferson said, but the political theorist is also focusing on building out her policy platform.

Downing's campaign is going for the caucus coalition — shoring up the delegates they'll need to get on the ballot at next year's convention by focusing on parts of the state that are decidedly less left than the greater Boston area.

"We've got to be able to make our case to the activist base and the Democratic primary base — and they're not necessarily the same people," Downing strategist Wilnelia Rivera said.

The 2022 gubernatorial race is a different beast than the brutal 2020 Markey-Kennedy brawl. This one has more candidates and no incumbent — though state Attorney General Maura Healey, who's yet to declare her 2022 intentions, could be the closest thing, with an already-established statewide network and a formidable war chest to boot.

The big themes — combating climate change, closing the racial wealth gap, recovering from the pandemic — are still there. But the work of a governor is far more granular and much more immediate in its impact than that of a legislator — meaning the same electorate that chose Markey over Kennedy less than a year ago may now be looking for someone with a different resume. And that makes this race in particular a test of whether young activists can replicate their organizing success from last year's Senate primary.

Walsh and her cohorts who are backing Chang-Díaz — to be clear, the Markeyverse is not a monolith in this race — are aware of the challenge. "Obviously the 'draft SCD' was a success," Walsh told me. "But now we actually need to get her elected and I think that's going to take a lot of work in the next two years investing in youth organizing, relational organizing, registering first-time voters."

But they believe they've got the candidate to again power a movement. Chang-Díaz is "unapologetic about what she believes in and who she's fighting for … even when it came to personal cost to her career," activist and state Senate staffer Mark Martinez told me. "This is the type of progressive candidate anyone wants, anywhere. This is it."

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Chang-Díaz's campaign kickoff was just getting to the main event yesterday afternoon when news broke that President Joe Biden had nominated House Majority Leader Claire Cronin, a major bundler for his 2020 campaign, as the next U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

The move represented another seismic political shift that will reverberate beyond Beacon Hill. The Massachusetts political class had already been buzzing over who might run for Chang-Díaz's Senate seat. State Reps. Liz Miranda and Nika Elugardo have both expressed interest. Miranda told me she's "interested in a move up" but is waiting to see where the chips fall with redistricting and other shifts in the political landscape. Elugardo, who's been battling health issues, told me she's "thinking about it" but is currently focused on her recovery and her job. Both indicated any decisions would be months away.

Now there's a new topic of speculation: Who will fill Cronin's leadership post? Cronin's exit, if she's confirmed by the U.S. Senate, would open up the No. 2 spot in state House Democratic leadership just months after she was the first woman named to the role. Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan and Assistant Majority Leader Michael Moran are the next in rank. But Cronin's departure could also put someone like House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz closer to the gavel.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.

TODAY — Rep. Seth Moulton and veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq gather at 9 a.m. outside the U.S. House to unveil a plan to evacuate Afghans who worked with U.S. armed forces before troops leave. Boston mayoral candidate state Rep. Jon Santiago unveils his housing plan at 9:30 a.m. in East Boston. Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey attends the opening of the Frog Pond wading pool at 11:15 a.m. Janey attends the Donna Summer Disco Party at 8 p.m. in Copley Square. Rep. Lori Trahan kicks off the Red Sox - Yankees series in Boston with a 6 p.m. fundraiser with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

"THE WOMEN REOPENING AMERICA" – HAPPENING TODAY: With more than 100 million people vaccinated against Covid-19, a strengthening economy and relaxed Covid restrictions on businesses and public gatherings, America is on a path to fully reopening. What policies and systemic changes can help women recover from the disproportionate impact of the pandemic? Join today for a "Women Rule" conversation with leading women who are playing a pivotal role in determining what normal will look like for business, politics, schools and the workplace. REGISTER HERE.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "59% of Massachusetts is now fully vaccinated as statewide COVID hospitalizations fall below 100," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "The number of active COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts continued to decrease on Wednesday, now down to 1,721 from the 1,838 reported the day before. Massachusetts health officials reported 68 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Officials also reported another 5 COVID-related deaths, bringing the death toll from the pandemic up to 17,618."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Claire Cronin, Mass. House's number two Democrat, will be nominated as ambassador to Ireland," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "President Biden will nominate Representative Claire D. Cronin to be US ambassador to Ireland, turning to a loyal supporter and the second-ranking Democrat in the Massachusetts House to fill the coveted diplomatic post."

– "As Beacon Hill Considers Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants, Biden White House Offers Chance For Larger Change," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "While Democratic lawmakers push to allow legal drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, attorneys on the front lines of the immigration battle in Massachusetts say the Biden administration has opened a window of opportunity for the state to become more welcoming to those without legal status, if lawmakers are willing to take that opportunity now that Donald Trump is out of the White House."

– "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker proposes 2-month sales tax holiday in August, September using surplus state tax revenue," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker wants to use the state coffers' unexpected windfall — a nearly $3.4 billion surplus to date — to create a two-month sales tax holiday in August and September. … But his proposal has already drawn scrutiny from state legislators, who would need to approve his bill."

– "Lawmakers hear testimony on lowering voting age in Northampton," by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "The city is one step closer to allowing 16- and 17-year-old residents to vote in municipal elections. The state Legislature's Joint Committee on Election Laws held a virtual hearing Wednesday and took testimony from Northampton officials and youth leaders about a plan to lower the voting age, which was unanimously approved by the City Council and by Mayor David Narkewicz last year."

FROM THE HUB

– "Boston City Council escalates criticism of Kim Janey, pans budget," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey's budget ran into a buzzsaw at Boston City Council as members teed off on Janey, criticizing her leadership and voting by a wide margin against the proposal in what amounted to a straw poll of its support. Most of the 12 active city councilors in Wednesday's meeting said some version of the idea that Janey's proposed $3.76 billion budget isn't good enough."

– "In first major business speech as acting mayor, Janey emphasizes diversity, recovery from COVID," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "In what was billed as her first major speech to Boston's business community, Acting Mayor Kim Janey on Wednesday steered clear of any controversy while focusing on spreading the wealth of city contracts to diverse small businesses and helping address the city's labor and housing shortages."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– The super PAC backing City Councilor Andrea Campbell in the Boston mayoral race is aiming to boost her name recognition — and her standing in the pack — through its first television ad, which went up this week and will run through the summer, according to a memo from the "Better Boston" chair to supporters that was obtained by POLITICO.

The ad, titled "Personal," delves into Campbell's "personal narrative of triumph and loss, introducing her to hundreds of thousands of Bostonians for the first time. We believe that when voters hear Andrea's authentic Boston story, they will be more likely to vote for her in September," chair Sonia Alleyne wrote. It was not immediately clear how much the buy was for. More from the Dorchester Reporter's Gintautas Dumcius.

– "Unions are holding off as they mull mayoral choices," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "The heavyweight unions that haven't announced whom they're backing include the Boston Teachers Union, health care workers of SEIU 1199, and property service workers of SEIU 32BJ. Unions that have settled on a candidate include Teamsters Local 25, which is backing Wu; the Boston Emergency Medical Services union, and Firefighters Local 718 which have endorsed Essaibi George; and Laborers Local 223, the union led by Walsh's cousin, also named Marty Walsh, which has given its nod to Santiago."

FEELING '22

– "Promising 'Bold, Transformative Change,' State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz Launches Bid For Governor," by Adam Reilly, GBH News: "State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston) became the third candidate to officially enter the 2022 Massachusetts governor's race Wednesday, casting herself as a candidate with a proven track record of pushing the often sluggish state Legislature to act on big systemic challenges facing the Commonwealth."

More on Chang-Diaz's launch from the Boston Globe's Emma Platoff and details of her backstory and first-day travels to Springfield and Worcester from WBUR's Anthony Brooks and Lisa Mullins.

And from the Boston Herald's Erin Tiernan: "Chang-Diaz's husband, Bryan Hirsch, is a Baker administration official, where he currently earns a $156,000 annual salary as the acting chief digital officer for the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, which is not an appointed position. Chang-Diaz said not to read into her husband's role in the Republican governor's administration, saying her family has a 'deep commitment to public service.'"

– "Baker, Healey watch as field for governor forms," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito [were] slated to appear at a joint in-person fundraiser … at the UMass Club in downtown Boston. Intriguingly, the invitation notes that the maximum contribution to the Polito committee is $1,000 per person and $2,000 per couple per calendar year. 'If you have already contributed the maximum amount to the Polito committee,' it continues, 'the Baker committee is also able to receive $1,000 per person/$2,000 per couple per calendar year.' … If Baker and Polito run for reelection, they can draw on funds from both of their campaign accounts, but if Baker bows out and Polito runs for governor, his account would be off-limits to her."

DAY IN COURT

– "National police group urges Supreme Court to reinstate death penalty in Boston Marathon bomber case," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "The Fraternal Order of Police this week urged the US Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that vacated Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's death sentence, writing in court papers that leaving the appellate decision intact will 'impede efforts' to secure justice for slain law enforcement officers in future cases."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "'Pause payments and interest' on federal student loans until March 31, 2022, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Ayanna Pressley urge President Joe Biden," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who's led progressive calls to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt for millions of borrowers, wrote to President Joe Biden again on Wednesday seeking to extend the COVID-19 pandemic-era pause on loan payments and interest until at least March 31, 2022. The Massachusetts Democrat, joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Reps. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Joe Courtney of Connecticut, led a letter signed by about 60 Democrats urging Biden to act before the pause on payments and interest expires on Oct. 1."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "Harnessing the tides: The future of renewable energy could begin in Cape Cod Canal," by Beth Treffeisen, Cape Cod Times: "Attached to a metal pole, a small tidal turbine resembling a metal rocket ship was placed Tuesday morning under the ripping currents of the Cape Cod Canal. The tidal turbine could be the start of another form of renewable energy that would be able to provide electricity for decades to come."

FROM THE 413

– "Amherst council establishes reparations fund," by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Amherst is establishing a reparations fund that will be used for making restitution to Black residents for past harms against them and leading to a process of reconciliation. The Town Council Monday voted 12-1 in favor of setting up a special purpose stabilization fund for reparations. No money is yet in the account, though a plan was recently presented by town finance officials that would put $210,000 into the account later this year when free cash is certified."

– "Staff, supporters picket at Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School in Chicopee after two-thirds of teachers lose jobs," by Jeannette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "More than 50 people protested at Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School on Wednesday, accusing administrators of 'union busting' after the contracts of two-thirds of the educators were not renewed at the end of the year."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Harvard won't host joint campaign managers event with Trump aides," by Daniel Lippman, POLITICO: "Every four years, Harvard University's Institute of Politics has hosted a panel discussion with the winning and losing managers of each presidential campaign. This year, that joint discussion won't take place. In fact, the Trump side might not end up participating at all."

– "Lawsuit Aims To Protect Cape Cod Waters From 'Putrid Smells And Unsightly Scums'," by Jesse Remedios, WBUR: "The nonprofit Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the towns of Barnstable and Mashpee for failing to protect coastal waters from pollution. The lawsuit alleges that nitrogen pollution from septic systems has damaged the coastal ecosystem, and that local and state officials — despite knowing the source of pollution — have not sufficiently addressed the problem."

– "Catholic activists barred from St. Vincent Hospital following 'exorcism' protest," by Marco Cartolano, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Members of all Massachusetts chapters of the Catholic Worker Movement and all affiliates were informed by hospital police that they are not authorized or permitted to enter St. Vincent Hospital after activists held an 'exorcism of the demon of corporate greed' at the hospital Tuesday."

– "City officials, state delegation lobby for full reopening of Lowell Registry of Motor Vehicles," by Alana Melanson, Lowell Sun: "The 77 Middlesex St. location is still closed to the public for all services except for road tests for Class D and Class M driver's licenses — and that closure is a source of frustration for many area residents, who have to go to other RMVs such as Lawrence to conduct business they can't do over the phone or online. Over the last week or so, members of Lowell's state delegation and city officials have written to state leaders, imploring them to reopen the Lowell RMV Service Center as soon as possible."

TRANSITIONS – Scott Tong joins NPR and WBUR's Here & Now as co-host on July 12.

NEW PODCAST ALERT – "The Horse Race" team brings you its new summer podcast, "Mass Reboot." Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Libby Gormley explore how different sectors of Massachusetts are rebooting post-pandemic, starting with the arts scene and featuring Joe Spaulding, president and CEO of the Boch Center; Emma Leavitt, of the Dorchester Art Project and Brain Arts; and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Michael Bobbitt. Also, ball pits. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Jon Latino, NARAL MA's communications officer; Peter Cutrumbes, former MassGOP chair Kirsten Hughes, Roger Fisk, principal of New Day Strategy; Thomas Doane Perry III, Jonathan Yuan, Ed Palleschi, undersecretary for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation; John Alvarez, government affairs manager at New Balance and a Baker administration alum; Katherine Marie Kulik and Morgan Smith.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

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