News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Reading between the endorsement lines

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Reading between the endorsement lines

Oct 06, 2021

MARKEY BOARDS THE WU TRAIN — Annissa Essaibi George went to bat for Ed Markey when he needed it last year, cutting an endorsement video for him even before polls showed the senator had a shot at fending off a primary challenge from former Rep. Joe Kennedy III.

Markey isn't returning the favor.

Markey endorsed Michelle Wu, Essaibi George's rival in the Boston mayor's race, this morning.

"Michelle Wu will make Boston a Green New Deal city and position us to lead the national movement for climate action," Markey said in a statement in which he also lauded Wu's "proposals to expand access to free public transportation, decarbonize our economy, and invest in the basic rights of clean air and water."

Markey's endorsement of Wu shouldn't be that much of a surprise. He's the coauthor of the Green New Deal. She's the city councilor with a Boston Green New Deal and the support of several climate-focused groups. Young, progressive activists who were part of the "Markeyverse" are largely now backing Wu.

Still, it was Essaibi George who him back in January 2020, before polls showed him catching up to Kennedy. Wu sat that race out.

And Markey campaign consultant Scott Ferson of Liberty Square Group is now consulting on Essaibi George's campaign.

Essaibi George said yesterday she's not fazed by the recent bevy of endorsements for her rival.

"It's really about the work ahead. It is about representing the people of Boston, it is about earning their support," she told reporters in Roxbury. "I'm proud of the endorsements I have earned."

We've already seen that the value of endorsements is limited. The slew of Black and Latino leaders and community groups that lined up behind Acting Mayor Kim Janey wasn't enough to buoy her through last month's preliminary election.

But the steady drumbeat of new endorsements for Wu from political power players across various levels of government — she's now got both of the state's senators, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a growing contingent of state lawmakers, Janey and three fellow councilors — are likely getting harder for Essaibi George's campaign, and undecided voters, to ignore.

Wu also out-raised Essaibi George in September . Wu raked in $398,751 and started October with $367,649 in the bank. Essaibi George hauled in $260,184 and started October with $152,080 in cash on hand, according to state campaign finance records.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. When Republican Geoff Diehl launched his gubernatorial campaign, he worked to distance himself from former President Donald Trump.

Not anymore.

Diehl snagged Trump's endorsement last night, just 24 hours after the conservative former state representative declared that "the 2020 election was rigged" in his most full-throated embrace of the former president's rhetoric yet.

When he first made his bid official, Diehl wasn't so sure he wanted Trump's stamp of approval, telling me back in July that "I'd rather leave national politics out of this race."

But he's been hewing ever-closer to Trump since, calling for a forensic audit of the Bay State's 2020 election results in August en route to proclaiming Monday that the entire contest was rigged.

Diehl has to play to the fraction of the state's small Republican base that remains pretty pro-Trump if he's going to have a shot against moderate Gov. Charlie Baker (a Trump critic who the former president blasted as a RINO and then some last night) in a potential primary next year.

Diehl is already starting at quite the cash disadvantage in that situation. Diehl raised $11,511 in September and has $25,774 in the bank. Baker, who's been ramping up his fundraising, brought in $173,348 last month — his largest monthly haul since September 2019. He's now sitting on $666,849 in his coffers.

Whatever happens on the Republican side, Trump's support will likely backfire on Diehl in a general election. Trump got smoked in Massachusetts in both 2016 and 2020 — his performance here in November was one of his worst showings in the nation.

TODAY — Baker and administration officials present the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Award in Salem at 10 a.m. State Rep. Nika Elugardo, state Sen. Paul Feeney, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins and more rally at 10 a.m. outside the State House in opposition to a bill that would classify app-based drivers as independent contractors. State Auditor Suzanne Bump attends the U.S. Government Accountability Office's Domestic Working Group virtual meeting at 11 a.m. Janey gives remarks at the grand opening of Indigo Block in Dorchester at 11 a.m. and signs an executive order recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito presides over a Governor's Council meeting at noon. Reps. Jake Auchincloss and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) tour Newton Housing Authority's Norumbega Gardens at 1 p.m. and discuss their housing priorities at 1:40 p.m. at Auburndale Community Library. Wu opens her Mattapan campaign office at 6 p.m.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish Friday, Oct. 8 and Monday, Oct. 11. I'll be back in your inbox Tuesday, Oct. 12.

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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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts coronavirus cases increase by 1,184, breakthrough cases go down," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts health officials on Tuesday reported 1,184 new coronavirus cases, as total COVID hospitalizations in the Bay State ticked up and the positive test rate rose."

– "Breakthrough COVID cases in Massachusetts decrease along with overall drop in numbers and are about 38% of total," by Noah R. Bombard, MassLive: "According to data released Tuesday by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the state saw 3,741 COVID cases amongst vaccinated individuals in the seven-day period ending Oct. 2. Overall, the state reported 9,952 new cases of COVID during that same period."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Critics Fault Massachusetts For Counting Nonprofits In Minority Business Spending Goals," by Chris Burrell, GBH News: "...Massachusetts is an outlier, certifying minority-led nonprofits as minority business enterprises and then crediting expenditures with these organizations in its own targets for contracting with minority suppliers. … Linda Bilmes, a senior lecturer in public policy and public finance at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, said the criteria used in Massachusetts is unusual and creates 'misleading' data."

– "State is rolling in money," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "State tax revenues continued to surge in September, exceeding forecasts by state officials and far surpassing what the state has taken in during the same month in previous years. The Department of Revenue said preliminary revenue collections for September were $3.992 billion – 27 percent higher than actual collections in September 2020 and 14.3 percent higher than forecast."

– "Senate report urges bonus pay, training to boost 'care economy'," by Steph Solis, Boston Business Journal: "A new report from the state Senate recommends a half-billion dollar investment to increase wages for certain caregivers, provide grants to struggling care centers and offer bonus pay to those facilities' employees, all to alleviate what it calls a hiring crisis in the 'care economy.' … The recommendations are part of a broader pitch to spend up to $1.3 billion on expanded internet access, alternatives to eviction, fare-free bus service and 'intergenerational care centers' — a top priority for Senate President Karen Spilka."

– "Families of homicide victims, including Colleen Ritzer's parents, split over parole for offenders," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "Throughout a tearful Joint Committee on the Judiciary hearing Tuesday, several family members of those who had been murdered opposed a bill that would make prisoners serving life without parole, including for first-degree murders, eligible for it after 25 years."

– "State regulators roll out CSO discharge notice rules," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "The draft rules rolled out by the state Department of Environmental Protection on Monday, which stem from a law signed in February by Gov. Charlie Baker, would require operators to tell the public and local boards of health within two hours of a combined sewer overflow spill."

BALLOT BATTLES

– The fight over how app-based drivers are paid and receive their benefits is heading to Beacon Hill today as lawmakers hear testimony on H.1234, a bill that would classify those drivers as independent contractors under state law and require companies like Uber and Lyft to create portable benefit accounts for drivers.

Here's how the battle lines are being drawn today:

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: More than 3,200 app-based drivers have signed onto a letter in support of H.1234, saying it "would ensure workers' continued independence and access to work, while also facilitating workers' access to important new benefits funded by rideshare and delivery companies." The letter is being submitted to lawmakers today by the Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work, which is pushing a similar ballot initiative for 2022.

– NEW THIS MORNING: State Attorney General Maura Healey; Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins; Boston mayoral hopefuls City Councilors Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George; 25 state senators and 44 state representatives are lining up in opposition to the bill and the potential ballot question. The lawmakers include gubernatorial hopeful state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz , state auditor candidate state Sen. Diana DiZoglio and lieutenant governor candidate state Rep. Tami Gouveia. Out of the 69 lawmakers mobilizing against the bill, only two, state Rep. Mathew Muratore and state Sen. Patrick O'Connor, are Republicans. Healey will kick off the opposition testimony.

FROM THE HUB

– This didn't age well: "Boston sucks — and these are all the reasons why," by the New York Post.

– Try this instead: "Red Sox advance to ALDS with dominant Wild Card victory over Yankees," by Steve Hewitt, Boston Herald.

– "Boston just enacted its 'single most impactful initiative' to curb greenhouse gas emissions," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey signed an ordinance Tuesday that will require existing large buildings in Boston to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. "

– "5 Investigates: Baker administration offers Boston help with 'Mass. & Cass'," by Karen Anderson, WCVB: "Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Kim Janey, Attorney General Maura Healey and other leaders attended a meeting Tuesday morning to discuss the homelessness and drug use at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, 5 Investigates has learned. … The Baker administration offered help to the city, but no firm plan emerged from the discussion."

– More: "Kim Janey, mayoral candidates distance themselves from Suffolk sheriff's Mass and Cass plan," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald.

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Mayoral Candidate Essaibi George Unveils Major Equity And Inclusion Agenda," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "Boston mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George released a plan Tuesday aimed at 'rooting out inequity' and 'dismantling racism' in Boston. The 44-page agenda opens with a statement regarding the need to acknowledge the city's history of racism and includes proposals on police reform, creating home ownership opportunities and small business supports for people of color."

– More from the Boston Globe's Stephanie Ebbert: "Essaibi George is making a direct appeal to Black communities by promising to target $100 million in investment from the federal American Rescue Plan to correct inequities. Later investments would follow for other marginalized communities, she said. She also called for combating gun violence in communities of color by convening community working groups to develop neighborhood action plans."

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Rep. Ayanna Pressley has endorsed Tania Anderson for Boston City Council District 7. Anderson would be the first Muslim and African immigrant to serve on the council if she wins on Nov. 2, her campaign said. "Tania is a trailblazer. She is an advocate. She is a community builder," Pressley said in a statement.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts has endorsed Carla Monteiro for Boston City Council at-large, per her campaign.

– "Rep. Lynch endorses Erin Murphy for at-large council," by Dorchester Reporter staff: "US Congressman Stephen Lynch is throwing support behind a former Dorchester teacher in the eight-person race for four City Council at-large seats. Erin Murphy, who came in fourth place in the Sept. 14 preliminary, said she was honored by Lynch's endorsement."

– A handy guide: "Boston mayoral race 2021: A running list of all the candidate debates and forums," by Sahar Fatima, Boston Globe.

FEELING '22

– "As donors await decision, Charlie Baker enjoys best fund-raising month in years," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The haul, reported Tuesday in campaign finance filings, was buoyed in part by a rescheduled fund-raiser on Cape Cod that drew both high-profile donors and a small group of opponents outside. The second-term Republican took maximum donations from a slew of prominent business leaders — some, including restaurateur Steve DiFillippo, have openly encouraged Baker to seek a third term. … Major Democratic donors within Massachusetts, meanwhile, appear to still be waiting to see how the field forms."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "'Culture of corruption': Senator Warren slams top Federal Reserve officials," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Senator Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday assailed what she described as a "culture of corruption" at the Federal Reserve and urged the central bank to tighten its ethics protocols."

– "Facebook Senate hearing: 'We won't allow your company to harm our children, families, democracy any longer,' Sen. Ed Markey warns CEO Mark Zuckerberg," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive: "Sen. Ed Markey on Tuesday issued a direct warning to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, calling on the tech leader to overhaul a business model that a whistleblower testified favors profits and marketing to younger users at the expense of public health and safety."

– "US Rep. Richard Neal expects passage of spending package with adjustments," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "Traffic Is Making A Comeback In Boston, But Rush Hour Is On The Move," by Bob Seay, GBH News: "Traffic volume on most major roads is now within 7% of where it was in 2019, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver recently told the MassDOT Board. But the traditional morning and afternoon rush hours are not what they once were. The morning rush now takes longer to develop, Gulliver said, and it doesn't last as long. Meanwhile, the afternoon rush starts a lot earlier — around 2 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. — and it's ending earlier, too."

– "'There's work to be done.' MBTA head Steve Poftak grapples with recent safety incidents," by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has work to do to make the system safer, said General Manager Steve Poftak during an interview on WBUR's Radio Boston program Tuesday."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Rule change paves way for smokable hemp," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "...the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources published a new rule Monday night allowing the state's hemp farmers to sell the flower of the plant to legal marijuana dispensaries, which can package it into smoking products."

– "Defendants in a $3 million cannabis trafficking case question the legality of a police search in Savoy," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "The thousands of marijuana plants seized at a Savoy house last year are one thing to police and prosecutors: Grounds for felony trafficking charges. To lawyers for two New York men charged in the case, those plants are something else: 'fruits' of an illegal search."

FROM THE 413

– "Springfield city councilors question $5M request to settle police misconduct cases," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican.

– "Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans' family members remember their son, brother in their first interview since he died," by Francesca Paris, Berkshire Eagle.

– "UMass students arrested for alleged sign thefts in Amherst," by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Three University of Massachusetts students were arrested late Monday night after they were found with numerous political campaign signs, apparently taken from Amherst lawns, along with three town street signs."

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

– "Two PACs square off over Holyoke election," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "A PAC calling itself Holyoke Forward, or Holyoke Pa'lante in Spanish, said that it would launch a campaign on Tuesday to elect 10 candidates it has chosen to endorse for mayor, City Council and School Committee. Those endorsements stand in opposition to the support another PAC, A Better Holyoke for All, has given to a separate group of 11 candidates for those same races."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Urging sympathy, former Governor Mike Dukakis tells CAI 'there have to be some limits' on resettling refugees," by Patrick Flanary, CAI: "'I think the United States does have an important role to play. There have to be some limits, and we've got to decide what they are, and then proceed to implement them as best we can and as sympathetically as we can.'"

– "Brookline Approves Funding For $11 Million Settlement With Former Firefighter," by CBS Boston staff: "Brookline has just approved funding for an $11 million settlement with former firefighter Gerald Alston. The deal ends an 11-year public and legal fight with the town. The dispute started after Alston said he was silenced and retaliated against for complaining about a racist work environment."

– "MIT cancels professor lecture after backlash against him, university cites 'distractions'," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald.

– "Mass. AFL-CIO joins others in asking lawmakers to urge St. V to end nurses' strike," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

– "Dept. of Justice cracking down on threats and harassment of school board members — including Massachusetts," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald.

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

– "Gail Huff Brown formally announces candidacy for NH's 1st Congressional District seat," by John DiStaso, WMUR.

MAZEL – to former Baker communications director Lizzy Guyton on the official launch of South & Hill Strategies with Colin Reed, who served as executive director of the America Rising PAC through the 2016 presidential cycle. Both are Massachusetts natives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Tara DiJulio, Jonny Levenfeld and Gian DeFilippis.

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