News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: LG race HEATS UP — MASSGOP INFIGHTING continues

Monday, June 7, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: LG race HEATS UP — MASSGOP INFIGHTING continues — TCI running LOW on GAS

Jun 07, 2021

Statewide political races are suddenly heating up.

Here's what's new and what's churning through the rumor mill this Monday morning:

SCOOPLET: FIELD GROWS FOR LG — Businessman and political newcomer Bret Bero is jumping into the race for lieutenant governor today, launching an exploratory campaign as the field starts to come into focus for the No. 2 job that's historically served as a gateway to higher office.

Bero, a Democrat and Babson College lecturer who owned and operated Orange-based metal manufacturing company ECHO Industries for two decades, is pitching himself as a small business champion with the business insights necessary to guide the state's economic recovery.

The Baker administration has been "very tactical" in its approach to helping businesses struggling during the pandemic, Bero told me. But he doesn't believe they have a long-term "vision" for small businesses that need to be "at the heart of our recovery plans."

Bero's putting his money where his mouth is — the Bostonian and Concord-Carlisle-area native plans to invest $200,000 of his own money to help get his campaign off the ground.

He'll be up against second-term state Rep. Tami Gouveia (D-Acton), who dropped an announcement video last night heralding her entrance into the race, as well as an interview with Boston.com calling for "leadership" from the corner office.

State Sen. Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield), told me Sunday he's "seriously looking" at his options for statewide office and is "considering lieutenant governor." Fellow western Massachusetts state Sen. Eric Lesser, (D-Longmeadow), is also being floated for lieutenant governor or attorney general.

Potential GOP gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl might be considering running for lieutenant governor instead, according to a source and "chatter" tweeted by Boston Globe alum Frank Phillips, in his first post in four years. But Diehl indicated via text Sunday there was no news to report. Other candidates in the mix for LG include Republican Rayla Campbell and Democrat Scott Donohue.

There's still no word from current GOP Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito or Gov. Charlie Baker on their plans for 2022. But Democratic state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, who's "seriously considering" a run for governor, was seemingly being followed around by a film crew in a picture posted to Twitter Sunday and quickly shared by activists behind the effort to draft her into the governor's race. Chang-Díaz and a spokesman did not respond to requests for comment Sunday night.

Why the sudden flurry of political activity? State Auditor Suzanne Bump's announcement late last month that she wouldn't run for reelection likely got the wheels turning for pols considering her office and others, sources say. The Democratic caucuses that start later this month also serve as prime networking opportunities ahead of 2022.

SPEAKING OF THE AUDITOR'S RACE: SCOOPLET — State Sen. Diana DiZoglio is moving closer to jumping into the auditor's race, and is working on a fundraiser later this month that's expected to be co-hosted by the presidents of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the National Association of Government Employees, according to a source. Look for an update to DiZoglio's Office of Campaign and Political Finance paperwork soon.

DiZoglio, a second-term state senator who also served six years in the House, has been leading the charge to ban the use of taxpayer-funded nondisclosure agreements related to sexual harassment and discrimination across state government, and has repeatedly challenged current and former leadership on transparency issues.

As DiZoglio eyes higher office, sources say state Rep. Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill) , has been calling around about her seat in the Senate district that spans from Methuen to Newburyport. Another name being floated as a possible contender is Methuen City Councilor Eunice Zeigler, who told me she "would consider it" but for now plans to keep focusing on her council work and representing her community.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Buckle up, because there's more news to come.

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

TODAY — Michelle Wu, Boston city councilor and mayoral candidate, holds a press conference at 9:30 a.m. to call for steps toward policing reform to be built into cops' contracts. At 10 a.m., Boston City Councilors join Rewrite the Rules Coalition in calling for Acting Mayor Kim Janey to allow a ballot initiative that would "give Boston residents a say over how their tax dollars are spent." Janey will host a press conference to share "latest updates relating to public safety" at 3 p.m.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "State reports about 55 percent of Mass. population fully vaccinated Sunday," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "State officials Sunday said Sunday that about 55 percent of Massachusetts residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Department of Public Health reported four new deaths and 126 cases."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Connecticut drops out of TCI compact, Massachusetts among few remaining states," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "An ambitious regional plan to slash vehicle emissions appears to be running out of gas after Connecticut became the 10th state to back out of the controversial Transportation Climate Initiative." More from Tiernan: "TCI 'doesn't makes sense' in Massachusetts, former proponent says as Connecticut pulls out."

– "Baker Boosts COVID Relief Money For Underfunded Communities, But Battle Over The Balance Remains," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday he has transferred $109 million to Randolph, Everett, Methuen and Chelsea to make up for a shortfall in what the communities recieved from federal pandemic relief money. The communities were very hard hit by COVID but were shortchanged because of a problem in the way the federal funding formula was applied."

– "Baker, Guvs Urge Biden to Keep Offshore Wind a Priority," by Colin Young, State House News Service (paywall): " Gov. Charlie Baker and governors from eight other states poised to benefit environmentally and economically from the emerging offshore wind sector sent President Joe Biden a letter on Friday outlining their thoughts and recommendations for keeping the momentum going in the fledgling field."

– "Beacon Hill Staffers Call For Transformation Of Workplace Culture To Increase Inclusivity," by GBH News/Greater Boston: "Unlivable wages, unmanageable workloads and gaps in healthcare coverage are some of the complaints from a new poll of current and former staffers on Beacon Hill."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "New England's success against COVID-19 could be a model," by Philip Marcelo, Associated Press: "Massachusetts and the rest of New England — the most heavily vaccinated region in the U.S. — are giving the rest of the country a possible glimpse of the future if more Americans get their shots."

– But wait: "Massachusetts communities hit hardest by coronavirus now lag far behind in vaccinations," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Herd immunity is within reach in much of Massachusetts, but state data shows vaccinations are lagging far behind in many of the communities that bore the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic — fueling fears they could be left vulnerable to yet another blow from the deadly disease."

FROM THE HUB

– "Another Boston police scandal is quietly unfolding," by Dugan Arnett and Maggie Mulvihill, Boston Globe: "Over a period of five years, Boston police officers routinely claimed to be working, prosecutors said, when building alarms showed facilities had been long empty. Records show officers regularly claimed to have worked eight-and-a-half-hour weekend shifts for jobs that lasted less than half that. In one instance, a longtime clerk repeatedly forged the signatures of at least three different supervisors, helping her collect some $30,000 in fraudulent overtime earnings, prosecutors said."

– "'It's Disappointing,' Marty Walsh Insists He Didn't Know About Dennis White's Domestic Issues," by Jon Keller, WBZ: "It's disappointing,' says U.S. Secretary of Labor and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh of the claims that he knew of suspended Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White's domestic issues before he appointed him the city's top cop back in February."

– " 'I'm not the one on trial here.' Police Commissioner White's ex-wife speaks out about abuse, his campaign to discredit her to save his job," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "It has been 22 years since she says he threatened to shoot her — the turning point that finally made her seek a restraining order and leave a tumultuous marriage with the man she considered her one true love. But last week, it all came flooding back to Sybil Mason when her ex-husband waged a campaign to save his job as Boston's top police official by trying to discredit her."

– "With a legal challenge, Dennis White case could drag on for years, stalk former mayor Martin J. Walsh," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey could decide the fate of embattled Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White in the coming days, but that doesn't mean the legal wrangling will come to an end, especially if he is ousted and pursues a wrongful termination lawsuit, according to legal analysts who laid out what the process ahead could look like."

– "Janey pauses surveillance network proposal that would connect 9 communities in Greater Boston," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Earlier this spring, the City of Boston quietly sought bids for a company to help assemble a vast surveillance network across the region, linking more than 1,000 cameras in a network that officials in any one of nine Greater Boston municipalities would be able to access. But this week, Acting Mayor Kim Janey hit pause on the plan, and a chorus of advocates are calling on her to drop it altogether, citing privacy and civil liberties concerns."

– "Boston mulls coronavirus vaccine incentive program as effort continues to evolve," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "The city of Boston is mulling a vaccine incentive program and is asking people holding events around the city if they want someone there giving shots as city officials try to figure out more ways to put shots in arms."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Boston mayoral fundraising, spending down in May as Kim Janey leads for month, Michelle Wu overall cash," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Mayoral fundraising dropped across the board in May as every candidate pulled in less cash than they did the month before. Acting Mayor Kim Janey led the way in both intake and output, with $162,795 raised and $108,913 spent in the month…"

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: David Todisco, former press secretary to Rep. Lori Trahan, is announcing his candidacy for Medford City Council today. Todisco is a fifth-generation Medford resident and an alum of several Democratic campaigns.

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Markey walks back claim Russians were behind Steamship Authority cyberattack," by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times: "Sen. Edward Markey's staff walked back comments he made Friday about Russians being behind the Wednesday cyberattack against the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority."

– "OTR: Rep. Lori Trahan continues to push for targeted COVID-19 vaccine outreach," by Ed Harding and Janet Wu, WCVB: "The Massachusetts congresswoman says the mobile vaccination units in her district are now more important than ever."

– "OTR: Rep. Lori Trahan taking patient approach with move toward green energy," by Ed Harding and Janet Wu, WCVB: "The Massachusetts congresswoman shares her thoughts on President Joe Biden's decision to continue an oil drilling project in Alaska that was approved by former President Donald Trump."

PARTY POLITICS

GOP MACHINATIONS CONTINUE — As Gov. Charlie Baker publicly derides an upcoming vote that could kick him and other Republican elected officials off the Massachusetts Republican Party's executive committee, Chairman Jim Lyons is shopping an alternative proposal.

Instead of trying to remove the governor, lieutenant governor and the House and Senate Republican leaders from the executive committee that currently controls primary endorsements — and associated party resources — Lyons now wants to shift that power to the entire GOP state committee.

"We've listened to some of the concerns of our members and a couple of members have come forward with an amendment, and I totally support it," Lyons told me.

But Lyons isn't budging on a different matter. Nearly every Massachusetts House Republican has signed a letter demanding Lyons call for GOP state committeewoman Deborah Martell's resignation over anti-gay comments she made towards a gay Republican congressional candidate — or resign himself.

Lyons called Martell's remarks "offensive" in a statement Friday but rejected lawmakers' calls for either of their resignations and urged Republicans to "stand up against censorship and 'cancel culture.'" He told me Sunday he stands by that.

– More: "After 'bigoted' remarks, Baker says GOP leadership is out of touch with most Republicans' beliefs," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker on Saturday said the leadership of his own state party is out of touch with the 'vast majority' of Republicans' beliefs and ramped up pressure on party chairman Jim Lyons to more forcefully denounce a fellow GOP leader for making anti-gay comments."

– And more: "Massachusetts House Republicans call for resignation of State Committee Chairman Jim Lyons," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "The House Republican behind an effort to oust state Committee Chairman Jim Lyons over his refusal to reprimand a committeewoman for homophobic remarks said Lyons missed a 'golden opportunity' to bring a fractured state party together. 'We always say we want a big tent and to bring anyone into the party, well Mr. Lyons, this was your opportunity to do that,' said Rep. Peter Durant, R-Spencer."

FEELING '22

– "Massachusetts state Rep. Tami Gouveia launches bid for lieutenant governor," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Rep. Tami Gouveia, a progressive, second-term lawmaker from Acton, is announcing her campaign Monday to be the next lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, calling for a more ambitious approach and robust social safety net as the state emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic."

– "Considering statewide run, Hinds 'working to put together a team' as he ramps up fundraising," by Danny Jin, Berkshire Eagle: "State Sen. Adam Hinds is 'working to put together a team' to help him consider which political office to seek in the 2022 election cycle, he said Friday. … Hinds has nearly doubled the balance of his campaign account in the first half of 2021, and he has made more payments to political consultants this year than any other year since he joined the Senate in 2017."

THE LOWELL CONNECTOR

– "In wake of attacks on Asians, young Americans in Lowell raise their voices," by Robert Mills, Lowell Sun: "Anti-Asian hatred exploded in the United States in 2020 and 2021. Vice President Kamala Harris said last month that such attacks have increased sixfold. And yet here in Lowell — a city that now prides itself on its large Asian population — there was mostly silence. It stood out to three friends who grew up here — Johnson Prak, Sam Man, and Sany Meas."

FROM THE 413

– "Activists seek to extend June 15 eviction moratorium," by Max Marcus, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Political activists and government officials advocated for extending the state's moratorium on eviction in an online meeting Friday morning."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "At Dartmouth College, first-year suicides a grim reminder of a year of loneliness," by Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "The deaths have devastated the small Ivy League campus of about 4,000 and sparked deep outrage among students, who say the school's mental health resources have been woefully inadequate during an academic year blighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "

– "First responders in two communities gather — one to celebrate, the other to mourn," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "First responders gathered in two communities on Saturday — one to mourn a Worcester Police officer who died while trying to save a boy who drowned, the other to celebrate the homecoming of a Braintree officer who was released from the hospital a day after he was shot multiple times."

– "Manny Familia remembered as dedicated to his family, community; teen was visiting from Virginia," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "'Selfless: he was just a humble spirit,' Woodrow Adams Jr., a friend of Familia's since their days at Doherty Memorial High School, responded Saturday when asked to describe the fallen officer. 'When you sacrifice your life and put it all on the line to save somebody else, there's no other word for it, that's a hero.' " More from the Telegram & Gazette: "Fallen Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel 'Manny' Familia will be laid to rest Thursday."

– "Massachusetts series of drownings: Teen dies after Quincy beach drowning, Dedham teen in 'critical' condition, child recovered from Amesbury lake," by Rick Sobey and Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Three people in the area Sunday are the latest victims in a series of drownings that have claimed at least seven lives in the last three weeks in Massachusetts."

TRANSITIONS – Former Rep. Joseph Kennedy III is one of 22 members appointed to President Joe Biden's President's Commission on White House Fellowships.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, and Cambridge City Councilor Tim Toomey. Happy belated to state Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) and Christopher Rowland.

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