News : Allen vows to blow up ballot access

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Allen vows to blow up ballot access

Feb 16, 2022

PARTING WORDS — Danielle Allen is slamming the Democratic caucus system she says can "push out qualified but nontraditional candidates and rob [voters] of a real choice on their ballot" on her way out of the governor's race.

Democrats are in the midst of holding caucuses to select delegates for the state party's June convention, where candidates will need to win at least 15 percent support from delegates to make it onto the primary ballot.

Less than two weeks into the process, Allen told Playbook the delegate math simply didn't add up for her to cross that threshold. She argued that the complex caucus system focuses more on party activists than the broader electorate and sets "too onerous a standard for ballot access" when compared to other states — and she vowed to try and change it.

But plenty of outsiders and political neophytes have successfully navigated the caucuses and won on the state's biggest stages — Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Gov. Deval Patrick and state Attorney General Maura Healey, now the frontrunner for governor, among them.

"Whether you are the biggest insider or running for the first time, the rules are there for everyone to be fair," MassDems Rules Committee Chair Bill Eddy said. "It's all about do you have a message that resonates and can you get people to show up at a caucus?"

Allen failed to gain traction over the past year. The Harvard professor and nonprofit leader started at a severe disadvantage in name recognition at a time when the pandemic made traditional in-person campaigning much harder. She struggled to translate her sterling academic record into easily digestible policies. Even with her lead time — Allen started exploring a run in December 2020 and formally entered the race in June 2021 — she secured few endorsements and fared poorly in early polls. Her fundraising — she raised more than $1 million overall and ended January with nearly $500,000 in her coffers — wasn't enough to keep her afloat.

Still, her abrupt exit early in the caucuses raises longstanding issues with access for candidates who lack political experience and organizing know-how — or a team that brings those to the table.

"In the Patrick campaign, we saw a lot of those insider-outsider barriers," Doug Rubin, one of the architects of Patrick's gubernatorial run, told me. "That to me is one of the things we've really got to work on. … The way the process is set up with the caucuses and the convention and [needing] 15 percent [of delegates] just to get on the ballot, that takes a lot of time, a lot of resources, a lot of money."

Jacquetta Van Zandt, a campaign veteran who hosts the "Politics and Prosecco" videocast, said there's "a conversation we need to have" about giving newcomers a chance. "The first question is why isn't there a platform for more people who are not connected to run for office?" she said. "The second question is why do you have to be connected to run?"

Allen, the first Black woman to run for governor as part of a major party in Massachusetts , is the second Democrat to exit the governor's race after former state Sen. Ben Downing dropped out in December. POLITICO first reported Allen's decision. The primary now refocuses into a battle between Healey and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, whose path to getting on the primary ballot against a candidate with a built-in statewide network likely gets a bit easier with Allen's departure.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Getting into a race? Getting out? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a governor's council meeting at noon. Healey delivers remarks at her office's virtual "People's Law Firm Outreach Day" at 10:30 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on GBH's "Boston Public Radio" at 1 p.m. AG hopeful Shannon Liss-Riordan is on WBUR's "Radio Boston" at 3 p.m.

PROGRAMMING NOTE — Massachusetts Playbook will not publish this Friday or next Monday. After the break, I'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Massachusetts reports lowest daily count of coronavirus cases in more than 3 months, hospitalizations drop below 1,000 patients," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "COVID hospitalizations … continued to plummet, falling below 1,000 total patients for the first time in months as the variant wanes. The 1,459 new cases reported on Tuesday was the lowest daily count since Nov. 9, before the holiday surge and omicron wave."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— MASK DOWN: The state no longer recommends fully vaccinated people mask up indoors — unless they have a weakened immune system, are at increased risk for severe illness, or live with someone who falls into either of those categories or is unvaccinated.

The new guidelines drew mixed reviews, including from members of the all-Democratic congressional delegation.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley slammed the move as "premature, dangerous and just the latest example of [the Baker] administration's insistence on prioritizing a 'return to normal' over the health and safety of our communities." She called on the governor to "reverse course immediately."

Sen. Ed Markey's office said that while cases are declining, hospitalizations and deaths "remain elevated" and that the senator believes any relaxing of the rules "should be driven entirely by the science, not political pressure."

But Rep. Seth Moulton contends it's the "right thing to do" to ease up on masking for the vaccinated as the Omicron wave ebbs. Moulton said doing so "will restore the credibility of public officials to bring masks back if a terrible new variant makes them necessary again in the future." A spokesperson for Rep. Jake Auchincloss said he believes it's an appropriate recommendation given the hospitalization rate.

Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark, who was promoting infrastructure investments in Watertown when the news dropped, told Playbook the state's mask move "shows progress in our controlling this pandemic and getting people back to normalcy. … We're going to continue to follow the science and that is what the science is indicating."

— More: "With new masking guidance, is Mass. marching back toward some version of normal?" by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts public health officials on Tuesday relaxed their advice on masking, marking another move toward scaling back virus rules and recommendations as states emerge from the Omicron-fueled surge in COVID-19 infections. The state released its new guidance on the same day Mayor Michelle Wu said improving COVID-19 metrics could prompt Boston to soon relax its own mandate on vaccines in some indoor settings."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Mass. lawmakers will vote on driver's licenses for undocumented people. Police helped lead the fight," by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: "For the first time, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate and vote on a bill Wednesday that would allow residents without legal immigration status to get driver's licenses. The measure's expected passage, after years of failed advocacy framing the issue as one of social justice, comes both as the body has shifted leftward, and the legislation has been tightened to draw more support from conservative members — and from law enforcement."

— "Backlash emerges over state's proposal to soften school accountability," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "State education leaders unveiled a proposal on Tuesday to ease into judging schools again on student performance after two years of COVID-19 learning disruptions, generating a heated backlash among educators, parents, and advocates. Many educators and advocates raised concerns that any scrutiny would inflict further harm on students who still are struggling with pandemic-related trauma, while those tied to the business and philanthropic communities railed against the proposal for being too soft on schools at a time when they need to help students overcome learning loss."

— "Bill named after Nero, Yarmouth K-9 injured in shooting, signed into Massachusetts law by Gov. Baker," by WCVB staff: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill into state law on Tuesday that ensures law enforcement officers' K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport if they are injured in the line of duty. The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon, a New Bedford native, and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero."

— "Labor committee chairs want to halt unemployment agency's collection of overpayments," by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: "The chairs of the state legislature's labor committee are trying to halt the state Department of Unemployment Assistance from collecting on overpaid unemployment benefits. DUA overpaid at least $2.7 billion on more than 719,000 unemployment claims in 2020 and 2021, according to an analysis of state filings with the U.S. Labor Department."

— "Proposed update to Massachusetts wiretap law spurs debate over scope, civil liberties," by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald: "A proposed update to state wiretap law drove testimony that had supporters calling it a necessary step for combating modern crimes and detractors warning it could be a slippery slope toward law enforcement overreach."

— "Cost of welfare benefits skyrockets during pandemic," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Use of various welfare assistance programs skyrocketed amid the pandemic, particularly as federal unemployment benefits dried up, according to new data provided by the Department of Transitional Assistance. The higher spending is also driven by state policymakers' decisions to increase the level of assistance that is available."

— "National organization commits $1 million to raise wages for restaurant workers in Massachusetts by 2026," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "Current law stipulates that tipped restaurant workers make a minimum of $6.15 before gratuities – less than half of the statewide minimum wage. The national organization One Fair Wage has launched a $1 million campaign to change that by 2026. … The group has committed $1 million each to 25 states for this effort in states including Massachusetts, Illinois and New York, and for both ballot initiatives and legislative routes. Not everyone is supportive, though."

— "Chicopee's Wagner Leaving House After 30-Year Run," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service (paywall): "Another House veteran and member of Speaker Ron Mariano's leadership team is calling it quits. After representing his district for more than 30 years, Second Assistant Majority Leader Joseph Wagner of Chicopee announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection this year."

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FROM THE HUB

— "Judge blocks Michelle Wu's Boston employee vaccine mandate, orders injunction," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "An appellate judge has ruled against Mayor Michelle Wu, indefinitely extending the court-ordered pause on enforcement of Boston's employee coronavirus vaccine mandate as the public-safety unions further prevailed in a lawsuit against the city. ... Wu's office said in a statement that city officials are 'disappointed by today's decision and are reviewing it carefully.'"

— "Boston School Committee begins work in search for new superintendent," by Jenna Russell, Boston Globe: "The hunt for a new superintendent of Boston schools will formally begin early next month, when the School Committee plans to name a 'small and focused' search committee to lead the process."

ON THE STUMP

— "Newly appointed Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden will run to permanently succeed Rachael Rollins," by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: "Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden is announcing plans to seek a full term as the county's top prosecutor [today], ending weeks of speculation and setting up a contested primary to permanently succeed Rachael Rollins. ... He is pledging to reform the office, helping rather than prosecuting those who need assistance. But he vowed also to enforce the law and prosecute dangerous criminals."

— ALSO GETTING IN: Heather May, the chair of the Waltham Democratic City Committee, is challenging Democratic state Rep. Tom Stanley in the 9th Middlesex District.

— Randolph Town Councilor Katrina Huff-Larmond has pulled nomination papers to primary state Sen. Mike Brady.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Laborers International Union of North America Local 175, based in Methuen, has endorsed Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll for lieutenant governor, her campaign said.

— NEW: Roberto Jiménez-Rivera, a Chelsea school board member running for state representative, has been endorsed by Run For Something, a national organization that recruits young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races, per his campaign.

— SUDDEN MOVES: Harvard professor Danielle Allen said she was exiting the governor's race "just hours after she had briefed MassLive on her platform for bringing East-West rail to fruition and closing racial disparities in the state's health care system, among other priorities," MassLive's Alison Kuznitz reports.

— WOMEN FOR DIEHL: First came "Parents for Diehl." Next up is "Women for Diehl." The new coalition will kick off with a West Roxbury luncheon on March 5 featuring GOP gubernatorial hopeful Geoff Diehl's wife, KathyJo Boss, Halifax School Committee member Summer Schmaling and entrepreneur Gina DiStefano, per Diehl's campaign.

Also speaking will be Kari MacRae, who was reportedly fired from Hanover High School last fall after making controversial comments on race and gender on TikTok. MacRae, who is now running for state Senate, was facing a recall effort from the Bourne School Committee, but that's now hit a roadblock due to improper signature collection, the Cape Cod Times reported yesterday.

— "Race taking shape for state Rep. Jake Oliveira's seat as Aaron Saunders, James 'Chip' Harrington solidify plans," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "The race for state Rep. Jake Oliveira's seat in the 7th Hampden district has begun to solidify. … James 'Chip' Harrington, a part-time Ludlow police officer who lost to Oliveira in 2020, recently signaled his interest in Oliveira's seat — as did Aaron Saunders, a former Ludlow selectman and chief of staff to former state Sen. Gale Candaras, MassLive reported last week."

— "Surillo announces candidacy for state representative," by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: "Frank Surillo, chairman of the Methuen Housing Authority, recently announced his candidacy for state representative for the 4th Essex District."

BALLOT BATTLES

— "Drivers Fear Loss of Flexible Schedules," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): "Engaged in a political battle pitting workers' independence against guaranteed wages and benefits, some drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft said Tuesday that the loss of flexibility that could come from losing their independent contractor status would be 'devastating' to their lives. ... While [some drivers] said they value their independence, not everyone who works for the tech companies agrees that they have to choose between flexibility and employment protections."

DAY IN COURT

— "Failed Grand Prix promoter gets 4 years in fraud schemes," by Julie Manganis, Gloucester Daily Times: "John Casey, the failed Boston Grand Prix promoter, was sentenced to four years in prison Tuesday by a judge who acknowledged that it was 'a much more lenient sentence than Mr. Casey deserves.'"

— "Former Boston Sports Clubs members getting refunds after settlement with Work Out World," by Boston 25 News: "Thousands of people who used to be members of the defunct Boston Sports Clubs and were then charged for gym memberships by Work Out Word will be getting refunds, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office."

FROM THE DELEGATION

— "Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark says Russia would pay 'steep price' for Ukraine invasion," by Sharman Sacchetti, WCVB: "U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, who represents the 5th congressional district of Massachusetts, is echoing President Joe Biden's warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin over a potential invasion of Ukraine. … 'If Putin succeeds in invading Ukraine, we all have to ask what's next,' said U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who represents the 6th congressional district of Massachusetts."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— "State said to be on track on 2020 climate goal," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Baker administration released a first-of-its-kind projection on Tuesday indicating the state is on track for now in meeting its climate change goals, but the governor's top energy aide said challenges loom ahead that may require the state to embrace some form of cap-and-invest system like the Transportation Climate Initiative the governor abandoned late last year."

— "Natural gas infrastructure a climate change sticking point," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "As Massachusetts seeks to transition away from fossil fuels and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, what to do with the state's existing natural gas infrastructure is becoming a major point of contention."

— "Northeast is likely to experience more than a century's worth of sea level rise from 2000 to 2050, report finds," by David Abel, Boston Globe: "By the middle of the century, sea levels in Boston and elsewhere in the Northeast are likely to be about 16 inches higher than they were in 2000 — a much more significant increase than over the previous century, according to a new federal report."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Massachusetts RMV staffers faked road tests; 2,100 drivers ordered to try again," by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: "[T]he RMV is ordering 2,100 drivers to take a road test within 10 days or risk losing their license after four registry workers were fired for being part of a bogus test-score scam. The applicants, a registry official tells the Herald, never got behind the wheel."

— "With election workers harder to find, city and town clerks look to boost pay," by Mark Herz, GBH News: "Election workers' long days and low pay — often below minimum wage — are making it difficult for municipal clerks to find people willing to take the jobs in the pandemic. Ahead of spring town elections and the state primaries in the fall, some hope to draw in more workers by increasing their stipends."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Massachusetts first lady Lauren Baker, Tisch College Dean Emeritus Alan Solomont, a former ambassador and DNC finance chair; Amanda Sabga and Matt Crescenzo.

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