News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Nobody puts Boston's mayoral candidates in an (ideological) corner

Monday, September 20, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Nobody puts Boston's mayoral candidates in an (ideological) corner

Sep 20, 2021

CONTRASTING CAMPAIGNS — Boston's mayoral contest has been called a progressive-versus-moderate clash, and a battle between "old Boston" and "new Boston." City Councilors Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George spent the opening weekend of the general election eschewing those labels and trying to shape their campaigns on their own terms.

The contrast in campaign styles was clear. Essaibi George stumped across eight neighborhoods in two days, attending youth football games in Dorchester, community events from Chinatown to East Boston, and making her pitch to support local businesses while in the North End. Wu laid out her "vision for Boston" — and rolled out a big new endorsement from state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, a Jamaica Plain progressive who's running to be the state's first Latina governor — in a South End rally-style event.

Essaibi George rebuffs being labeled a moderate, but she's taking a page right out of the centrist playbook by dismissing several of Wu's more progressive ideas as pipe dreams. Wu on Saturday called on voters to reject the notion that "we can only continue to nibble around the edges of the status quo" — an oft-used refrain — and implored them to consider that "more is possible in Boston."

Essaibi George may end up walking somewhat of a tightrope as she tries to balance her critiques of Wu's plans with the need to win over voters who mostly backed more progressive candidates in the preliminary election. One example: While Essaibi George says the mayor "cannot make the T free," a survey from MassINC Polling Group in June showed 65% of respondents supported a fare-free T.

Wu has some advantages coming into the general election — from vote totals (she's beaten Essaibi George in several at-large council races, and now the mayoral preliminary), to a broader base across the city (see this map).

But she's likely to be pressed on her record in a way that she wasn't in the preliminary election, by both Essaibi George and the media. For instance: WBZ's Jon Keller pushed Wu on whether she supports "defunding" the police in an interview that aired Sunday, to which she replied after the second question, "we must reallocate dollars, investing more overall in how we respond to the needs and the crisis calls that are coming in everyday."

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Here are some other things to keep an eye on as the general election heats up:

UNIONS — Essaibi George is picking up a huge union endorsement today from IBEW Local 103, which sat out the preliminary. She also nabbed Sprinkler Fitters Local 550 last week on top of her public-safety union endorsements, while Wu has Teamsters Local 25, UAW and more. Several big unions that supported Janey — UNITE HERE Local 26, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU Local 888 and UFCW Local 1445 — are now in play. Others that sat out the preliminary — 1199 SEIU, the Boston Teachers Union — may yet wade in.

ENDORSERS — Chang-Díaz marked the first major endorsement of the general election. Her support could help Wu with Latino voters and Black voters in her state Senate district, which stretches across Hyde Park, Mattapan and Roxbury — neighborhoods where Janey outperformed the field in the preliminary. Watch where Janey and Campbell's endorsers go, and keep an eye on others who sat out the preliminary, from City Council President Pro Tempore Matt O'Malley to state Rep. Russell Holmes to Rep. Ayanna Pressley.

SUPER PACS — One of the two independent expenditure PACs supporting Essaibi George, "Bostonians for Real Progress," is already targeting Wu and aims to raise at least $1 million in the general election. Wu also has two IE PACs in her corner. One, tied to the Environmental League of Massachusetts, plans to be active in the general after focusing on digital ads in the preliminary.

TODAY — Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff tours a child care center in Milford. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito makes a Green Communities Competitive Grants Announcement at 9 a.m. in Quincy. State Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Antonio Cabral host colleagues for the next leg of the Gateway Cities Tour in New Bedford, Fall River and Attleboro. Gov. Charlie Baker, Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Acting Mayor Kim Janey, Essaibi George and community leaders celebrate King Boston's $1 million donation to Twelfth Baptist Church at 10 a.m. The Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance and MA Parents for Remote Learning Options host a virtual press conference at 10:15 a.m. to call for remote learning options for students currently ineligible for vaccines. Baker, Polito, state House Speaker Ron Mariano and state Senate President Karen Spilka meet at 2 p.m., media avail to follow at the speaker's office. Janey, state Rep. Chynah Tyler, and Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia celebrate the opening of The Underground Cafe + Lounge at 6 p.m.

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

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

– Another rumored contender is staying out of the race to replace former state Sen. Joe Boncore in the First Suffolk and Middlesex District — Juan Jaramillo of Revere, a former Boncore aide who ran for state representative in the special election to replace former House Speaker Robert DeLeo.

"This year has been a blessing for Crystal and me, from a historic state rep run, to our nuptials and more," Jaramillo said in a statement. "While we are honored that so many have reached out for us to lead this particular fight we have decided to sit and lead from within the ranks by continuing to fight for the values that working families in our community stand for," including environmental justice, affordable housing and free public transit.

– "Mass. teachers union: MCAS test 'has allowed white supremacy to flourish in public schools'," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "The state's largest teachers union is blasting the MCAS test, saying it 'has allowed white supremacy to flourish in public schools,' and has endorsed legislation designed to rethink the standardized test. … The MTA supports legislation by state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and state Rep. Jim Hawkins, D-Attleboro, that would replace the MCAS … and a hearing is scheduled for Monday in the Legislature on the topic."

– "Evictions happening less today than pre-COVID," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "When state and federal COVID-related moratoriums on evictions ended, advocates worried that there would be a tsunami of people losing their homes. But, state officials said Friday, an increase in rental assistance combined with programs geared at mediation have actually resulted in far fewer evictions than pre-pandemic."

– "Waivers sought for jobless workers who were 'overpaid' benefits," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "A proposal seeks to increase the number of waivers granted by the Department of Unemployment Assistance to workers who owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in state and federal benefits they weren't supposed to get."

– "Child marriage opponents await Massachusetts legislative action," by Marcus E. Howard, Boston.com: "On Wednesday, protesters will once again don bridal gowns and demonstrate at the Massachusetts State House in Boston to bring attention to child marriages, which state law allows minors of any age to enter even though they can't file for divorce until age 18. Massachusetts is one of several states that has no minimum marriage age for minors when exceptions are taken into account. Most other states have at least a minimum age for marriage with parental consent."

– "Lawmaker seeks 'Made in America' building rules," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Newburyport Daily News: "The proposal, filed by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, would require cities and towns to give preference to U.S. manufacturers when buying steel, iron and other materials for new buildings and renovations."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "A murky battle over 'sincerely held' religious beliefs and COVID-19 vaccination," by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "More than 200 parents, health care workers, pastors, and others had come to this live online tutorial on a recent weeknight to learn how they could avoid getting a COVID-19 vaccination by claiming it violates their religious beliefs. The instructor, a 24-year-old Boston University theology student who aspires to be a minister, has been hosting regular Zoom sessions on how to craft religious exemptions to the growing number of COVID vaccination mandates. Cait Corrigan says she receives hundreds of daily requests for help — up from about a hundred just a few weeks ago."

– "Boston gym owners petition against mask mandate," by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: "Fitness club owners around Boston are pleading with local officials to lift indoor mask mandates during workouts, insisting the requirement has hurt an industry already decimated by the pandemic."

– "Salem mandates COVID tests for large October events," by Dustin Luca, Salem News: "Large-scale events held in any publicly accessible location this October — including hotels, museums and function halls — must now ask each attendee for a negative COVID-19 test before they can enter. … The move comes as the city hits the final six weeks of its tourism peak and is now seeing tens of thousands converge on downtown Salem each day from around the country and the world."

– "Low dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is safe and effective in children ages 5 to 11, companies' study finds," by Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post: "A lower dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine — one-third the amount given to adults and teens — is safe and triggered a robust immune response in children as young as 5 years old, the drug companies announced in a news release Monday morning."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Kim Janey thanks supporters, does not endorse either finalist for mayor," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey made her first campaign appearance following a fourth-place finish of five major candidates in the mayoral preliminary, and after skipping her own election-night party. 'I don't want people to walk away without hope,' she said Friday afternoon, addressing a packed room of purple-clad supporters at her Centre Street headquarters."

– "Influence of Campbell and Janey Expected to Remain in Boston Mayoral Race," by Alison King, NBC10 Boston: "[Former city councilor Tito Jackson, who supported Janey] says the support of Black voters could now make or break a campaign and the candidates need to be respectful to those communities. … State Rep. Chynah Tyler says she's certain Campbell, the candidate she supported, will be influential in helping to sway support toward Wu or Essaibi George. 'It's absolutely a jump ball,' Tyler said. 'We have not seen a Black agenda from either one of the candidates.'"

– "In Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, a tale of two neighborhoods," by Meghan E. Irons, Milton J. Valencia and Tiana Woodard, Boston Globe: "To win City Hall, a Black candidate needs more than the votes of just the Black community; there simply aren't enough of them. White progressive communities have to turn out as well. But in Jamaica Plain, perhaps the most progressive neighborhood in the city, strong support for the Black candidates just didn't happen."

– "Rep. Pressley Reflects On Loss By Black Mayoral Candidates; No Endorsement Yet," by Aidan Connelly, Boston Public Radio: "On Friday's Boston Public Radio, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) spoke optimistically about the future of Black representation in Massachusetts politics, despite losses by all three Black candidates vying to be Boston mayor in Tuesday's preliminary election. … [she also] said leaders ought to be prioritizing what she called 'building the bench.'"

– "Michelle Wu, Annissa Essaibi-George make their case for Boston's Black voters," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi-George have some serious ground to make up with Boston's Black voters to become the city's mayor. … When asked about their plans to attract Boston's Black voters — who many political watchers view as a key swing constituency in the Nov. 2 general election between the pair — the two remaining candidates had different approaches."

– "Keller @ Large: Mayoral Candidate Michelle Wu Says Boston 'Can't Afford To Just Nibble Around The Edges Of The Status Quo'," by Jon Keller, WBZ: "As an example, Wu said she believes electric school buses would give out less pollution, have a longer life span, and could be used as mobile charging sources in cases of emergencies."

– "OTR: Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty breaks down mayoral preliminary election results," by Ed Harding and Janet Wu, WCVB: "Michael Flaherty shares why fellow city councilors Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George had a leg up on the competition, including current mayor Kim Janey."

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Rep. Russell Holmes and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico have endorsed Ruthzee Louijeune for Boston City Council at-large, per her campaign. "Ruthzee is the voice Boston needs to lift up working class families and push for progressive policies at City Hall," Holmes said in a statement. Louijeune finished third in last week's at-large preliminary election.

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

– "Voters to cast ballots in more preliminary mayoral elections Tuesday," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "Voters in Everett, Lawrence, and several other Boston area communities are slated to cast ballots in preliminary mayoral elections Tuesday … which also include mayoral races in Attleboro, Beverly, Fall River, and Newburyport, will narrow down fields of candidates to two top finishers in each race."

– "Holyoke poised to cut mayoral field to two on Tuesday," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "For many in Holyoke, change is in the air. That's how Carmen Ocasio, the president of the South Holyoke Neighborhood Association, feels. She said the election is important to her and all residents of the city. 'We need to have change here in Holyoke and not just to have somebody there as a title,' Ocasio said."

– "On Tuesday, 4 North Adams mayoral candidates will be narrowed to 2 before historic vote in November," by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle: "Mayor Tom Bernard is not seeking reelection, and with four women on the preliminary ballot, the city is on the cusp of making history with its first female mayor."

DAY IN COURT

– "Jasiel Correia faces prison for corruption. Here's what you should know before sentencing," by Dan Medeiros, Herald News: "On Monday, Sept. 20, former Fall River mayor Jasiel F. Correia II will most likely be sentenced to prison to serve time for committing fraud and extortion, marking an end to one of the most controversial chapters in Fall River's history. "

– "A long wait for a trial just got shorter for a former altar boy who survived clergy abuse," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "[The judge's] decision is another setback to lawyers for the Springfield Diocese, who claimed in court filings that their clients, including the diocese itself, could not be sued because of charitable immunity under the law."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Democratic lawmakers urge Biden administration to halt deportations to Haiti," by Priscilla Alavarez, CNN: "More than 50 Democratic lawmakers urged the Biden administration Friday to halt deportations to Haiti as nearly 10,000 migrants have overwhelmed Del Rio, Texas, many of whom are Haitian. … lawmakers, led by Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Nydia Velázquez, argued the Biden administration should consider indefinitely halting deportations to Haiti, update eligibility for a form of humanitarian relief, and help mitigate Covid-19 in the country."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "These six Massachusetts district attorneys spend a combined $3,534.41 a month on leased cars — and taxpayers foot the bill," by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: "An Eagle Investigations inquiry finds that six out of the state's 11 district attorneys' offices lease vehicles that their top elected official can use for work and, sometimes, for their personal lives. The practice provides additional compensation on top of their approximately $191,000 annual salaries."

– "As pandemic hits 'crisis situation' in city, UMass Memorial's Dickson appeals to St. Vincent Hospital nurses, management to end stalemate," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "The head of UMass Memorial Health pleaded Friday for a resolution to the strike at St. Vincent Hospital, saying the city was in 'a crisis situation' due to a resurgent pandemic and reduced hospital capacity while nurses are on the picket line."

– "Should a Bourne School Committee member resign because of her TikTok videos? Some say yes," by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: "The Bourne teachers union plans to seek the resignation of Bourne School Committee member Kari MacRae after a TikTok video emerged of MacRae making controversial comments about gender identification and racism education. … MacRae, who is on the school board's curriculum subcommittee, said in a written statement sent to the Times on Thursday that she apologized 'for anyone feeling offended.'"

– "Feds to review New Bedford schools' reporting of arrest data," by Will Sennott, New Bedford Light: "The U.S. Department of Education is examining the New Bedford Schools' reporting of data on student arrests, according to a federal spokesman. The notice late Wednesday night follows reporting by the New Bedford Light that shows the school department failed to publicly report accurate data on student arrests since at least 2017."

MEANWHILE IN MAINE

– "Two Maine selectmen face recall after carting off local farmer's pot," by Brian MacQuarrie, Boston Globe: "The vote, scheduled for Tuesday, is partly about the freewheeling mud-slinging that can characterize the public discourse here. But it's also about accusations that Russell and Selectman Ernest 'Butch' Lizotte Jr. raided a local farm and helped steal approximately $100,000 in marijuana plants in the dead of night, knowing that the owner was in jail."

TRANSITIONS – Sam Mintz joins Boston Business Journal/BostInno to cover startups, tech companies and innovation in Boston; he was previously a transportation reporter for POLITICO.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Boston City Council President Pro Tempore Matt O'Malley, former congressional candidate Robbie Goldstein and Vanessa Kirsch.

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