News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: 6 neighborhoods to watch in Boston's elections

Monday, November 1, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: 6 neighborhoods to watch in Boston's elections

Nov 01, 2021

THE BIG PICTURE — From the mayor's race to the council contests, Tuesday's election results could offer one of the clearest pictures yet of Boston's political shifts over the past couple decades as the city's neighborhoods continue to gentrify and diversify.

Turnout has declined in traditionally whiter and more conservative neighborhoods like South Boston and West Roxbury over the past decade, per the Bay State Banner's Yawu Miller, and increased in more liberal neighborhoods with "upwardly mobile whites" like Jamaica Plain and the South End. Simply put, this isn't your grandfather's — or even your father's — mayoral map anymore.

Michelle Wu spent the weekend in East Boston, Charlestown and Dorchester and has stops today in Chinatown, Jamaica Plain and on Boston University's campus. Annissa Essaibi George is in the midst of a 24-hour campaign swing through Eastie, Charlestown, Allston, Dorchester, Roxbury and Hyde Park.

Here are the neighborhoods I'm watching Tuesday:

ROXBURY and MATTAPAN — Voters in these neighborhoods overwhelmingly cast ballots for African American candidates in the preliminary election. Tuesday will tell us which direction they went after none of the three Black candidates made it to the general — whether that's to Wu, a progressive city councilor who would be the city's first Asian American mayor, or to Essaibi George, a more moderate councilor who would be the city's first Arab American mayor.

JAMAICA PLAIN, ROSLINDALE and WEST ROXBURY — The hotly contested District 6 City Council race between Kendra Hicks, a community organizer from Jamaica Plain, and Mary Tamer, a former school committee member from West Roxbury, could drive up turnout in these neighborhoods. JP and Roslindale have been "helping elect much more liberal candidates and women and people of color to local office," said Democratic consultant Wilnelia Rivera, who's personally supporting Wu but not working for her. Strong turnout in those neighborhoods could help stamp Hicks' ticket to the City Council and add to Wu's tally. But a higher turnout in more conservative West Roxbury could help Tamer, who finished second to Hicks in the D6 preliminary, and give Essaibi George a boost.

DORCHESTER — I'm looking at Ward 16 here, less for Essaibi George, who needs to build on her already dominant preliminary performance here, but more for what turnout could mean in the at-large council race. While Councilors Julia Mejia and Michael Flaherty seem on track for reelection, polls show a close race between Ruthzee Louijeune, Erin Murphy, David Halbert and Carla Monteiro for the other two at-large seats. A strong showing in Ward 16 could help give Murphy an edge, Rivera said. GBH News and the Bay State Banner's Miller have more on Boston's new wave of voters, and the Boston Globe has more neighborhoods to watch.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Election week is finally here, and Playbook is going to look a bit different for the next few days. Think of it as your peek into my reporter's notebook.

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, House and Senate leaders hold their leadership meeting at noon with a media availability to follow. Baker and Polito make a MassWorks grant announcement at 3 p.m. in Salem. Secretary of State Bill Galvin hosts a pre-election media availability at 10:30 a.m. at the State House. Wu is on Boston 87.7FM at 8:30 a.m., hosts a 9:30 a.m. meet-and-greet with Sen. Elizabeth Warren at Pavement Coffeehouse at BU, is on Urban Heat Radio at 10:15 a.m., hosts a press availability at 1 p.m. at the Chinatown Gate and a 4 p.m. canvass kickoff in JP. Essaibi George is live on BNN at 5 p.m. and wraps her 24-hour campaign swing with an election eve rally at 6:30 p.m. in Hyde Park. State Attorney General Maura Healey virtually delivers the keynote at the British Consulate in Boston's COP26 panel discussion on climate equity at 3 p.m.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "ARPA Bill Grew to $3.82 Bil Before House Passage," by Katie Lannan, Chris Lisinski and Chris Van Buskirk, State House News Service (paywall): "The bill began with a bottom line of $3.65 billion and representatives took a handful of votes to add on tens of millions of dollars more, much of it earmarked for local programs and projects, through four mega-amendments compiled outside of public view based on the 1,126 individual amendments filed earlier in the week."

– More from the Boston Herald's Amy Sokolow: "Of those [additional] funds, $6.25 million went toward the drug and homelessness crisis at Boston's Mass and Cass, including $2.5 million for 'infrastructure safety improvements' in the area … [and] $1.5 million will go toward the City of Boston for coordination teams for triage treatment and support services."

– "OTR: Massachusetts Rep. Jon Santiago on future workings between City Hall, State House," by Ed Harding and Janet Wu, WCVB: "The Massachusetts state representative discusses whether there is a chance to institute rent control in Boston or make the MBTA free."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Hundreds of Massachusetts state workers have been suspended or lost jobs due to vaccine mandate," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "State officials released data Friday showing that 39,197 — or nearly 94 percent — of Executive Branch employees got the vaccine or received an exemption by the Oct. 17 deadline. … According to Baker's office, 11 state workers were fired and 130 voluntarily resigned because they did not want to get the vaccine. Another 362 workers are currently suspended — the first disciplinary step — for non-compliance. And then there's about 5 percent of workers who remain in a bit of a gray zone."

FROM THE HUB

– "Boston ready to begin Methadone Mile tent-removal process, officials say as multiple initiatives get moving," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Multiple initiatives around Mass and Cass are moving ahead, as the city begins to notice people about tent removals, the trial court sets up to begin its 'community response' sessions there on Monday and prosecutors mull using more 'stay-away' orders for people charged with crimes."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Gov. Deval Patrick has endorsed David Halbert for Boston City Council at-large, per his campaign. "As a public servant, community leader, and father, David Halbert understands the value of community," Patrick said in a statement. "I saw how he lived those values when he served in my administration." Patrick has also endorsed Wu for mayor.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Bay State Stonewall Democrats members have voted unanimously to endorse Wu for mayor, per the group.

– "New Balance chair pours cash into Essaibi George super PAC as Wu moves to block ad," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "With the election days away, outside groups supporting Annissa Essaibi George's mayoral bid raked in six-figure donations as Michelle Wu, Essaibi George's rival, sought to block one of their ads from airing on television, calling it false and defamatory."

– "Boston mayoral battle turns nastier in closing weekend," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "It started out with a hug. But the Boston mayoral campaign is wrapping up with a battle over whether a sharp-pointed PAC attack ad should air, a sudden press conference slamming the front-runner and accusations of 'Trumpian tactics.'"

– "Wu, Essaibi George are spending campaign cash in two different Bostons," by Elizabeth Koh, Boston Globe: "The two city councilors have leaned into two different Bostons: one rooted in the city's older neighborhoods and traditional blue-collar class, the other in a younger 'New Boston' and communities of color."

– "US Postal Service Says No Mail-In Ballots Were Thrown Out In South Boston After Allegations," by WBZ staff: "The United States Postal Service says no ballots were thrown out by postal workers in South Boston. On Saturday, two Boston City Councilors said they've received complaints from residents who have not yet received the ballots they need to vote in Tuesday's election. Councilor Michael Flaherty said a substitute mail carrier was allegedly caught tossing ballots, affecting as many as 200 voters in Ward 6."

– "In the Boston City Council race, a four-way battle emerges for two coveted at-large seats," by Meghan E. Irons and Tiana Woodard, Boston Globe: "...recent polls show strong support for the two incumbents, Michael Flaherty and Julia Mejia. Erin Murphy, a former Boston Public Schools teacher for more than two decades, and former City Council and State House staffer David Halbert, who both ran unsuccessfully in 2019, are locked in a tight battle for the other two seats with first-time candidates Ruthzee Louijeune, a lawyer, and Carla Monteiro, a social worker."

– "Two Democrats Locked In Bitter Battle For Boston City Council Seat In Jamaica Plain-West Roxbury," by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: "A City Council race that could have been a simple microcosm of Boston Democrats, split between the hard left [Kendra Hicks] and center left [Mary Tamer] — though both eschew the political label — has devolved into a political bloodbath. Racial animus, social media spats and even a divide within a local family have made a national spectacle of the race that will be decided by just tens of thousands of voters, overshadowing real policy differences in a district that's changing rapidly."

– "For many advocates, restoring Boston's elected School Committee is about expanding voting rights in communities of color," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "Voters across Boston will be able to weigh in on a nonbinding referendum on Tuesday about whether the city should return to an elected School Committee. Boston is the only traditional school system in the state where the School Committee is appointed by the mayor and just one of a few nationwide." The Globe's Danny McDonald has more on Boston's ballot questions.

– "Election officials predict low turnout for local races across Massachusetts on Tuesday," by Steve Brown, WBUR: "Voters in 55 communities across Massachusetts are slated to take part in municipal elections Tuesday. But election officials say enthusiasm in the local races, especially outside of Boston, is down considerably from a year ago..."

ON THE STUMP

– What happens when you mix Halloween and GOTV weekend? You find Wu and Essaibi George at the same events, including in Charlestown, where Wu posed for photos with costume-clad passerby and Essaibi George handed out Hershey bars and bright pink balloons with her campaign logo emblazoned on them less than a block away.

So what were the candidates' favorite childhood Halloween costumes? For Essaibi George, it was a "giant smiley face" she made with two hula hoops and felt in high school. For Wu, it was a Christmas tree that her mom made with green felt and ornament balls. She was sent to school in it, "but the ornament balls covered all of it and I just remembered I couldn't sit down at school," she laughed.

– "In final stretch of Boston mayoral race, candidates focus on getting out the vote," by Emma Platoff and Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "Tens of thousands have already made their selections: 6,499 voted early, according to city tallies, and 32,937 have submitted mail-in ballots."

– WATCH: Wu and Essaibi George's "Real Talk for Change" forums with the Boston Globe's Meghan E. Irons and Ron Bell on BNN.

THE OPINION PAGES

– "A short but historic mayoral term: Kim Janey matters," by Jeneé Osterheldt, Boston Globe: "Kim Janey never believed she'd see a Black mayor in the city of Boston, let alone hold the position herself. She couldn't imagine it. And then Marty Walsh was called to Washington, and the seat was passed on to the City Council president: Janey. Everything changed. For her and for our city."

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

– BAKER'S BLESSING: It's not just a super PAC affiliated with Gov. Charlie Baker that's wading into mayor's races. The governor himself has cut videos in support of GOP state Rep. Jim Kelcourse, who's challenging Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, and Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken's reelection bid, an aide confirmed.

Baker called Kelcourse a "dedicated, aggressive and ambitious fellow who will get it done for the people of Amesbury. Of Romeo Theken, Baker said "there's nothing she won't do for you folks."

– "Email, mailer cause endorsement confusion in mayoral race," by Taylor Ann Bradford, Gloucester Daily Times: "In an email blast sent out to the community on Friday, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken's campaign team published a list titled 'Endorsements and Supporters' of the mayor's reelection efforts. Two names down the list, with no label separating the endorsements from the supporters, is Congressman Seth Moulton. … Moulton's team deny the Salem congressman is endorsing anyone in Gloucester's mayoral race."

– "Here's how much money North Adams mayoral candidate[s] have raised and a look at where it came from," by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle: "[Jennifer Macksey] leads in fundraising, with $42,040 in total as of late October, according to Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. [Lynette Bond] has raised $31,597. On average, donors gave $120 to Macksey and $139 to Bond. Both have received a significant amount of money from people who live outside the city."

– "Garcia, Sullivan in home stretch for Holyoke mayor," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Endorsements, last-minute campaign pitches and cash are flying around in Holyoke, where two candidates are campaigning to become the city's first new mayor in nearly a decade."

– "In historic mayor's race, it's friend vs. friend," by Paul Leighton, Salem News: "[Beverly Mayor Mike] Cahill and [Esther] Ngotho say they are still friends, but they now have another relationship — political opponents. Ngotho is challenging Cahill in Tuesday's mayoral election. She is the first person of color to ever run for mayor in Beverly, a city with a Black population of less than 2%, and is the first woman to run for the office since Fran Alexander in 1981."

PARTY POLITICS

– "In Mass. state party election, court declares winner more than 600 days after voters cast ballot," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "More than 600 days after voters cast their ballots, a state judge this week ordered Massachusetts' secretary of state to certify a Republican activist as winning an intraparty election, offering a potential coda to a long, messy legal saga."

– "Former Mass. GOP Chair: Diehl Defeating Baker In Potential Primary Would Be 'End Of The Republican Party In Massachusetts'," by Jon Keller, WBZ: "Jennifer Nassour, the former Mass GOP chair, said it would be the 'end of the Republican party in Massachusetts' if Geoff Diehl defeats Gov. Charlie Baker in a potential primary election."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Massachusetts cannabis delivery companies are seeing demand, but say one issue is getting in the way of profitability," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive: "Regulations from the state Cannabis Control Commission require there to be two drivers in cannabis delivery vehicles. The drivers must also wear body cameras and the vehicle must be outfitted with GPS. That rule is the biggest challenge to reaching profitability, [Christopher Fevry, the CEO and co-founder of cannabis delivery company Your Green Package, said]."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria and city clerk trade lawsuits over corruption allegations," by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: "They were the closest of friends until a real estate deal came between longtime Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria and City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. Now, they're suing each other, with Cornelio alleging that DeMaria pressured him to pay $97,000 from the sale of a property."

– "Wife of Fall River mayor in ICU after being hit by a car," by Josh Faiola, WPRI: "Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan announced on social media that his wife, Judi, was sent to the ICU after being hit by a car while on her bike."

– "Massachusetts tenants and landlords struggle with eviction process after moratoriums end," by Joyce Doherty, BU Statehouse Program/Standard Times: "Following the end of the state eviction moratorium in October last year and the CDC moratorium on Aug. 26, evictions are still lower than before the pandemic, according to state housing court data. While the number of eviction petitions has risen in the past few months, they have not reached pre-pandemic levels in Massachusetts."

– IN MEMORIAM: "Jerry Remy, Red Sox icon on the field and in the broadcast booth, dies at 68," by Chad Finn, Boston Globe; "Red Sox Legends Past And Present Pay Tribute To Jerry Remy," by Logan Mullen, NESN.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING

– "Vehicle rammings against protesters are on the rise, but the justice system often sides with drivers," by Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: "Between [George] Floyd's death on May 25, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, vehicles drove into protests at least 139 times, according to an analysis completed by The Boston Globe, relying on researchers' data, local news coverage, and the Globe's own findings. In addition to the three deaths, vehicle rammings at protests have injured at least 100 people, the Globe found, yet in most cases the driver has gone unpunished: The Globe confirmed the existence of charges in just 65 of the cases — fewer than half of them — and found only four so far in which a driver was convicted of a felony."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Erin Hearn of J Strategies, Molly Horan, Hannah Smith and Siri Uotila.

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