News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Boston mayoral race could see SHAKE-UP — GOP donors DEMAND leadership changes

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Boston mayoral race could see SHAKE-UP — GOP donors DEMAND leadership changes — FUTURE of VACCINATIONS

Jul 13, 2021

SANTIAGO SHAKEUP POSSIBLE — State Rep. Jon Santiago could end his Boston mayoral bid as early as today, sources tell me and Playbook alum Stephanie Murray.

If Santiago drops out, it would mark the first big shake-up in the race since former Mayor Marty Walsh got tapped for Labor secretary and candidates flooded the field to replace him. But if he decides to stay in, Santiago's got a lot of ground to make up: the two-term state legislator is near the bottom of the polls and also lags in fundraising.

Santiago spoke with House Speaker Ronald Mariano on Monday, the speaker confirmed to Playbook. Santiago told Mariano, a prominent endorser, that he was weighing his options, according to the speaker. Mariano's readout was brief, but it wasn't exactly optimistic. The speaker expressed "sympathy" for Santiago's situation, saying "he's extremely qualified and I thought he would do much better."

Santiago's campaign was radio silent through the night as the rumor mill churned among the Boston and Beacon Hill political classes. Two campaign spokesmen did not respond to multiple calls and texts for comment, and neither did Santiago. But two sources told Playbook they'd received warnings from the campaign that Santiago was likely to drop out soon.

Back in February, he stormed into the mayoral race with a fundraising haul that outpaced the rest of the field. But his campaign sputtered from there. Campaign manager Victoria Williams left after six weeks, leaving Hilltop Strategies to run the day-to-day. Santiago's fundraising declined over time and his bank account dropped below $500,000 by the end of June. He remained mired in the single digits in polls — failing to gain much traction despite being the first candidate to go up on air. He shared the bottom tier with former city economic development chief John Barros, who strategists say may soon have to make his own decision about his future in the race.

Santiago hoped Boston's Latino community would give him a boost in the race — and his prospective exit leaves key voters up for grabs.

His departure would also leave many on Beacon Hill looking for a new horse, though their endorsements seemed to help Santiago more financially than anything else.

Santiago could remain a factor in the race by endorsing one of his competitors, though whom he might gravitate toward isn't exactly clear.

If he does drop out it would ensure the next mayor won't follow the State-House-to-city-executive pipeline that Walsh and several other legislators have taken over the years.

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

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta make a Future of Work Report announcement at Tufts Launchpad Biolabs at 9 a.m. Baker, Polito and Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jim Montgomery make a DCR Summer Nights announcement at 2 p.m. at Ryan Playground in Boston. Baker and Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo celebrate the Revere Beach 125th anniversary at 7 p.m. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders speaks about mental health reform in Massachusetts as part of the virtual Top of Mind Conference: The Challenges and Promise for Mental Healthcare in Massachusetts at 9:05 a.m. Rep. Richard Neal announces two major federal grants for Bay Path University at 10 a.m. in East Longmeadow. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey hosts a press conference at 12:30 p.m. at city hall to discuss the city COVID-19 Health Inequities Task Force's Health Equity Now Plan. At 8 p.m. Janey offers remarks virtually at the 112th NAACP National Convention as part of the Voting Rights, Redistricting and Elections session. State Sen. Adam Hinds and former Gov. Michael Dukakis discuss the future of transportation in Massachusetts at 2 p.m. live on Hinds' Facebook.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "New COVID cases, hospitalizations in Massachusetts back on the rise," by Noah R. Bombard, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts averaged about 107 new COVID cases a day over the weekend, up slightly over the past week, according to data released by the Department of Public Health. The state announced 322 new cases Monday, but that includes Saturday through Monday as the Department of Public Health no longer releases new COVID data on the weekends. There was one new COVID death confirmed. New cases have been trending back upward after hitting a weekly low the week of June 20."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Standardizing Mass. School Vaccine Rules Triggers Vocal Opposition," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers were considering overhauling how the state manages vaccinations required for school children. Now, Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham) says the crisis has made restructuring how the state tracks immunizations even more crucial. … Rausch's bill, sponsored alongside Rep. Paul Donato (D-Medford), wouldn't change requirements for which immunizations are needed to enroll in public school but would mandate statistics be shared with the state and create standards for medical and religious exemptions."

– More: "Tighter rules sought for childhood vaccines," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "Lawmakers and medical groups are pushing for tighter vaccination rules amid concerns that the state is behind in protecting children against infectious diseases. A proposal filed by Rep. Andy Vargas, D-Haverhill, would eliminate religious exemptions that now allow unvaccinated students to attend public and private schools."

– And more: "Funeral directors seek priority access to vaccine," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "Funeral directors were on the front lines of the pandemic, burying the dead and consoling survivors, but they weren't among the high-priority groups given early access to COVID-19 vaccines. A bill heard by a key legislative committee Monday would change that in future public health emergencies, grouping funeral workers with those in health care as top priorities for vaccine distribution."

– "Massachusetts needs a gas tax hike, but also rebates for low- and middle-income drivers, former state rep says," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts should increase its gas tax, but not without offering some relief to low- and middle-income drivers, former state Rep. Jennifer Benson said Monday. Benson, president of the Alliance for Business Leadership, said the gas tax hike is regressive, but necessary to bring in revenue and deter car usage as public transit projects statewide take shape."

– "Lawmakers Urged to Create Opportunities for Candidates of Color," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): "The state's only majority-minority Congressional district, represented by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, is an area ripe for lawmakers to create more opportunities for candidates of color at the state level, according to officials and advocates who testified Monday in front of legislators in charge of redistricting. Pressley, who in 2018 became the first Black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts, urged the Special Committee on Redistricting on Monday to keep as much of her district intact as possible. Meanwhile, leaders in Chelsea, Revere and Randolph pressed for their communities to be 'kept whole' in House districts on Beacon Hill, rather than carved up. And numerous advocates said Boston should have a Senate district crafted to make it more likely that a Black person can be elected."

– "Coppinger proposes extra school year for students with disabilities impacted by pandemic," by Nicole Shih, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Remote learning brought on by the pandemic disrupted the school experience for students throughout the region, especially those with developmental disabilities, like Dan and Andy Wiener. Twins Dan and Andy Wiener, 21, of Boston, are autistic and blind. Both boys attend Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown. They are set to graduate next year, because Massachusetts law only provides public school services to age 22, despite the fact that they've missed over a year of school due to COVID-19. … According to a State House News Service report, bill H.3865 filed by [state Rep. Edward] Coppinger would allow any Massachusetts student who graduated in 2021 or is scheduled to graduate in 2022, whose parents or guardians 'opt-in,' to another year of education before they move on to the next chapter of their lives."

– "Baker supports national designation for contaminated Lower Neponset River," by Kate Lusignan, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker is urging the US Environmental Protection Agency to place the Lower Neponset River on its Superfund National Priority List, citing the 'serious nature' of the water's contamination."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Uptick of COVID in Provincetown prompts request for pop-up testing units," by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: "Cape officials are asking the state Department of Public Health to send mobile COVID-19 testing units to Provincetown after several people tested positive there for the coronavirus in recent days. The positive cases have occurred among people already vaccinated and are 'very mild,' said state Sen. Julian Cyr, who met with Provincetown officials, state Rep. Sarah Peake and Outer Cape Health Services officials Monday."

FROM THE HUB

– "Boston Task Force Recommends Steps For Equitable COVID-19 Recovery," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "Boston's COVID-19 Health Inequities Task Force Monday released its pandemic recovery plan, a 112-page report that urges the city to identify and dismantle the root causes of structural inequity in order to eliminate health disparities in Boston. … Titled 'Health Equity Now,' the plan calls for an ambitious blend of economic, social, and medical initiatives…"

– "It's been the third wettest July ever recorded, and the month is only half over," by Martin Finucane, Ryan Huddle and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "As of Monday, it was already the third wettest July ever recorded in Boston, according to the National Weather Service. With the help of Tropical Storm Elsa's drenching last week, nearly 9 inches of rain had been recorded at Logan International Airport by Monday afternoon. The only wetter Julys were in 1921 and 1938, with 11.69 inches and 9.45 inches, respectively. Records go back to 1872. And the month isn't even half over yet."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Andrea Campbell gained success despite early tragedies. As mayor, she wants to give all Bostonians the same opportunities that helped her," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "A dazzling student, Campbell caught the eye of teachers who ushered her on her path to Boston Latin School, Princeton University, and UCLA School of Law. She became a lawyer on Beacon Hill and the first Black woman elected City Council President. Her twin brother, Andre, who shared the same light-up-a-room smile and — she often says — was smarter than her, followed the school-to-prison pipeline and died in custody before the age of 30. Now 39 and a candidate for mayor of Boston, Campbell is running a campaign based on that baffling inequity, driven by a child's innate sense of fairness: Why didn't her twin brother get the same education, the same second chances, the same guidance that she did? If he had, could more than one Campbell have made it?"

PARTY POLITICS

– "16 Massachusetts GOP donors pledge to cut off funding until party leadership change," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Some MassGOP donors say they have no confidence in embattled state party leadership and won't contribute another cent until the state committee takes action to 'restore the Massachusetts Republican Party's reputation' — pledging $1 million in support if it does."

FEELING '22

– "How to spend billions in coronavirus aid, excess tax revenue 'big issue' of 2022 governor's race," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts is sitting on more than $9.1 billion in combined federal aid and excess tax revenue and one local pundit says 'the big issue' of the upcoming governor's race will be how best to spend the cash as the state plots its coronavirus recovery course."

– NEW THIS MORNING: Kristen Elechko has joined state Rep. Tami Gouveia's campaign for lieutenant governor as campaign manager. Elechko recently served as Sen. Ed Markey's deputy relational organizing director. Sky Flores is a campaign associate, having served as a field organizer for Markey's 2020 Senate campaign and a member of Sen. Elizabeth Warren's advance team during her presidential bid, per Gouveia's campaign.

DAY IN COURT

– "Fraud trial of former city housing official starts Tuesday," by Brad Petrishen, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "The city's former top housing official is slated to go on trial Tuesday in federal court over allegations she helped a developer steal federal money. Jacklyn M. Sutcivni — formerly Jacqueline M. Vachon-Jackson — will stand trial on federal fraud and conspiracy charges nine years after the city fired her from her post as chief of staff for economic development."

– "Another discrimination lawsuit filed against New Bedford Police Department officers," by Anastasia E. Lennon, Standard Times: "Another former New Bedford police officer has filed a lawsuit against the city and high-ranking officers, alleging retaliation and discrimination based on sexual orientation. It is the second discrimination lawsuit filed against officers in the New Bedford Police Department in about one month."

– "Sacha Baron Cohen sues Massachusetts cannabis dispensary over ad featuring Borat," by Caroline Enos, Boston Globe: "Sacha Baron Cohen is suing a Massachusetts cannabis dispensary for using his character Borat on a billboard for the company, according to documents filed Monday in US District Court in Boston."

FROM THE 413

– "Amherst Town Manager seeking applicants for African Heritage Reparations Assembly to develop 'Municipal Reparations Plan'," by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: "Town Manager Paul Bockelman is seeking applicants to volunteer on the recently created African Heritage Reparations Assembly. This 7-person committee 'shall include six Black residents,' according to a press release his office released on Monday. A single function of panel is to create 'a Municipal Reparations Plan that includes both a reparations fund and a community-wide process of reconciliation and repair for harms against Black people.'"

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Massachusetts restaurants received nearly $1 billion in federal relief aid, but many were shut out," by Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe: "The chef-owner of Soleil in Nubian Square spent months working with an 'alphabet soup' of advocacy groups to push for the creation of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. And it worked: In April, the federal government allocated $28.6 billion in grants for restaurants in the American Rescue Plan, and put women and minority-owned businesses first in line. [Cheryl] Straughter is both, and had her application at the ready. Yet seconds after she hit submit she was rejected. At issue, she says, was the calculus involved in its eligibility requirement."

– "Report: 'Potentially unsafe' levels of fecal bacteria found at 264 Massachusetts beaches," by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: "'Potentially unsafe' levels of fecal bacteria were detected in the water at more than 200 Bay State beaches in 2020, a new report shows, posing a possible health hazard to swimmers. 'The bottom line is it's just gross. The idea of swimming in water that has sewage pollution in it is unacceptable. It's 2021 in Massachusetts,' said Ben Hellerstein, state director of Environment Massachusetts, a non-profit group that published the report."

– "How A Law School Financial Aid Policy Has Some Students Crying Foul," by Carrie Jung, WBUR: "Surviving the pandemic was stressful for Harvard Law School student Stacey Menjivar and her family. Her parents took a huge financial hit when everything shut down last year. … Menjivar thought that, this summer, she'd finally be able to help her parents financially after all the sacrifices they made to get her to law school. She took a summer clerkship, a lucrative job for law students that can pay upwards of $30,000 per season. But then she remembered that Harvard would be first in line for much of that salary, thanks to the rules of her need-based financial aid package."

– For the love of Dunks: "Malden mayor, dramatically, announces city's first-ever Starbucks," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Starbucks has more than 6,000 stores across the United States, but zero are located in Malden. That's about to change. With a crescendoing video posted on Twitter later Monday afternoon, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson unveiled the unprecedented: for the first time, a Starbucks is opening in the changing, 60,000-person Boston suburb."

THE NATIONAL TAKE

– "'This is freaking ridiculous': Britney Spears inspires lawmakers to tackle toxic conservatorships," by Marianne Levine, Olivia Beavers and Victoria Colliver (with Massachusetts assist from Lisa Kashinsky), POLITICO: "The Free Britney movement has a new fan base on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers with wildly different ideologies work to help a cause once dismissed as niche. … 'The federal government's role is limited, but limited is not the same thing as nonexistent,' [Sen. Elizabeth Warren] (D-Mass.) said in an interview. … 'If this could happen to someone who is as famous as Britney Spears, I mean, think about what's happening to regular Americans,' Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) said. 'We do need to pull back the curtain on this.'"

CONGRATS – to Katherine Haley, a Bristol Community College student from Fall River, for being named as one of Glamour's College Women of the Year honorees. Haley, 29, has overcome homelessness and addiction to become valedictorian of her class at BCC and is headed to Brown University this fall. She was among honorees surprised by First Lady Jill Biden on a Zoom call from the White House late last month, per Condé Nast.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Amanda Hunter, executive director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, and Barry Posen.

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HAPPENING TODAY: THE ROAD TO TOKYO 2020 – A CONVERSATION WITH FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE IOC ANITA DEFRANTZ: The Tokyo Olympics kick off July 23, 15 months after being postponed. One problem … Japan's capital city is in a Covid state of emergency and has prohibited fans from attending. With financial pressure to push forward and potential punishment for any athletes involved in protests or demonstrations during the sporting event, these Olympics Games will be unlike any other. Join Global Translations author Ryan Heath for a POLITICO Live conversation with Anita DeFrantz, First Vice President, International Olympic Committee, on what's at stake in the Tokyo Olympics, as a global health crisis, sports and politics all come to a head. REGISTER HERE.