News: SCOTUS shockwaves could shake N.H. Senate race

Friday, May 6, 2022

SCOTUS shockwaves could shake N.H. Senate race

May 06, 2022

Presented by Reproductive Equity Now

TIPPING POINT — The draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would strike down Roe v. Wade is unlikely to shake up statewide contests here, but it could jolt vulnerable Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan's reelection campaign in New Hampshire.

Hassan, who supports abortion rights, is running against a slew of Republicans who oppose them to varying degrees. State Senate President Chuck Morse, who helped pass a 24-week abortion ban last year, touted his "pro-life record" in a statement after POLITICO published the draft opinion . Retired Gen. Don Bolduc said "if the Court rules as indicated, I believe they made the right call." Kevin Smith, a former executive director of conservative advocacy group Cornerstone Action, blasted Hassan and "the extremists in Washington" who he said "support late-term abortions and taxpayer-funded abortions."

Fighting for abortion rights is familiar campaign territory for Hassan. Earlier this week, state Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley called abortion rights and funding a "decisive" issue in Hassan's 2016 race against Republican Kelly Ayotte. One longtime Democratic strategist in the Granite State told Playbook that an abortion rights fight could be a "potential game-changer" for Hassan in her current race, in which she's crushing her Republican rivals in fundraising but not in polls.

"If my opponents get this seat, they will support the kind of national abortion ban that's now being talked about," Hassan stressed to my colleague, Burgess Everett, in a new interview.

But strategists in both parties warn Democrats can't focus on abortion alone. If they do, "I believe there will be a backlash," Mike Dennehy, a veteran of New Hampshire Republican politics, told Playbook. "There's record inflation, record gas prices, record illegal immigration and overdose deaths, and the Democrats will be talking about abortion."

Hassan is trying to strike a balance, mixing her abortion rights messaging with social media posts about lowering costs for families and a television ad touting her efforts to tamp down on soaring gas prices — including pushing her own party to act on a gas tax holiday (an issue wildly unpopular among top Democrats in Massachusetts, but one of Hassan's main arguments against her Republican opponents as of late).

Abortion gives Hassan another contrast with her rivals that "helps her in the Senate race to some extent," GOP consultant Patrick Griffin told Playbook. "But it's the only thing Democrats have right now."

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Senate President Karen Spilka plans to include $2 million for abortion access in the fiscal 2023 budget her chamber is due to unveil next week.

The proposed funding comes after a "productive" conversation between Spilka and abortion rights advocates on Wednesday, her office said. And it exceeds the $500,000 the House added to its budget to fund grants for three local abortion funds — the Jane Fund of Central Massachusetts, the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts and the Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Fund.

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker participates in the Associated Industries of Massachusetts virtual annual meeting at 9 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends a Mission Hill Coffee Hour at 9:30 a.m., speaks at a Mothers for Justice and Equality luncheon at 11 a.m. in Hyde Park and speaks at the Kwong Kow Chinese School Annual Fundraising Gala in Chinatown at 7:40 p.m. Sen. Ed Markey chairs a subcommittee field hearing on nuclear plant decommissioning at 10 a.m. at Plymouth Town Hall. AG candidate Andrea Campbell continues her Gateway Cities listening tour in Springfield and is endorsed by Mayor Domenic Sarno at 2:30 p.m. outside Springfield City Hall.

THIS WEEKEND — Part two of Sen. Elizabeth Warren's "Keller @ Large" interview airs at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Baker is on WCVB's "On the Record" at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

A message from Reproductive Equity Now:

Abortion rights are under attack like never before. Right here in Massachusetts, thousands of college students live in "access deserts" where the nearest abortion provider is an hours-long trip away. That cannot stand. Navigating an unplanned pregnancy is stressful. But accessing medication abortion shouldn't be. We have an opportunity to ensure that abortion care is accessible to all across the Commonwealth. State legislators must pass An Act to Require Public Universities to Provide Medication Abortion. Learn more.

ON THE STUMP

— BURNING UP: Spending is up in statewide contests with candidates in both parties facing crunch time to get on the ballot. GOP governor hopeful Chris Doughty also loaned his campaign another $90,000, his spokesperson confirmed.

And at least 10 candidates shelled out to collect signatures to get on the ballot: Doughty and Republican rival Geoff Diehl; lieutenant governor candidates Leah Cole Allen, Bret Bero and state Sens. Adam Hinds and Eric Lesser ; attorney general hopefuls Andrea Campbell, Shannon Liss-Riordan and Quentin Palfrey; and auditor hopeful Anthony Amore, according to OCPF reports and their campaigns.

Paying for signature collection in statewide races isn't new. But it underscores the difficulties facing candidates who entered their races late, are running statewide for the first time, or both — as well as the lingering effects of Covid-19, which has complicated traditional campaigning for more than two years now.

— NEW: Sarah Sabshon is now policy director for state Attorney General Maura Healey's gubernatorial campaign. She most recently was the health care policy analyst for House Speaker Ron Mariano, and was previously the health care policy analyst for former House Speaker Bob DeLeo and chief of staff for former state Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Quentin Palfrey is ratcheting up his attacks against attorney general rival Andrea Campbell over the "Better Boston" super PAC that supported her Boston mayoral bid last year.

"No other 2022 candidate for statewide office is supported by a corporate super PAC," Palfrey said in a new statement. "If — for the first time in Massachusetts history — super PACs are allowed to play a role in the campaign for the next attorney general, that would set a dangerous precedent."

Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited sums but can't coordinate with candidates, so Campbell can't actually "shut down" the super PAC, as Palfrey wants. She could, however, call on it to close.

— ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Rep. Ayanna Pressley has endorsed fellow Bay State Democrats Katherine Clark , the assistant House speaker, and Rep. Jim McGovern for reelection as part of her third slate of congressional endorsements this cycle.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Massachusetts reports most single-day COVID cases in 3 months," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The 4,376 daily virus cases in the state was up 31% from 3,341 reported cases last Thursday. … The K-12 schools weekly COVID report from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Thursday shows that a total of 10,715 staff and students tested positive last week — which was a major jump from the weekly average of 4,324 positive tests in the previous report."

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "After years of debate, Mass. Senate passes bill to allow driver's licenses for undocumented people," Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: "After years of debate, the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a bill to allow people without legal immigration status to get driver's licenses. The vote, 32-8, was enough to override a possible veto from Governor Charlie Baker and came after the House passed a similar bill with a similar veto-proof margin earlier this year. Because the Senate's version was slightly different, the driver's license bills will have to be reconciled before final votes to send them to the desk of the Republican governor, who has repeatedly expressed opposition to such a measure. Though a recent poll found residents to be split on the idea, the bill's passage was received with chants and yelling from supporters in the chamber's public galleries and assurances from lawmakers that after many years of debate, they've crafted legislation that addresses some of Baker's concerns."

— "Two Western Massachusetts candidates for lieutenant governor tested positive for COVID," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "Two Western Massachusetts senators running for lieutenant governor have tested positive for COVID-19. State Sen. Adam Hinds, a Pittsfield Democrat, announced Thursday afternoon he tested positive for coronavirus and is experiencing 'mild symptoms.' Just hours earlier, state Sen. Eric Lesser, a Longmeadow Democrat, disclosed to MassLive he also tested positive for the virus on Wednesday and is now quarantining. Both elected officials say they are fully vaccinated and boosted."

— "Worcester Rep. David LeBoeuf could face primary challenger following drunken driving arrest, allegedly blowing 4X legal limit," by Erin Tiernan, MassLive: "Worcester resident Michelle Keane pulled papers on May 2, returning the required 150 signatures necessary to get her on the ballot for the September Democratic primary. Signatures were due at 5 p.m. on Tuesday — one day after Keane pulled the necessary paperwork. The politically connected school teacher opposing the incumbent LeBoeuf dodged questions about whether LeBoeuf's recent legal troubles factored into her last-minute decision to consider a run."

— " Baker capital investment plan proposes $4.3 million to upgrade Springfield courthouses, $40 million for Holyoke Soldiers' Home," by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: "The Baker administration on Thursday announced a $2.78 billion capital investment plan, including $4.3 million earmarked for two ailing Springfield courthouses and an additional $40 million for the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke. The nearly $3 billion figure applies to fiscal 2023 and falls under a $13.9 billion five-year plan. … The capital plan outlines $4 million for the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse in Springfield, the subject of an intense debate and ongoing litigation over hazardous workplace environmental conditions."

— "State to refund jobless claim overpayments," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Thousands of workers who repaid 'overpayments' for unemployment benefits during the pandemic will soon be getting a refund from the state. The refunds include more than $15.3 million paid back by 3,168 jobless claimants whose overpayment debts are being wiped away by a federal waiver, according to figures from the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Another $4.9 million was repaid by 10,174 claimants who can request refunds under a separate waiver process for state and federal overpayments."

— "Overturning Roe v. Wade would pose 'enormous setback' for women, Gov. Charlie Baker says," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive.

— "Gov. Charlie Baker sees 'really good sign' for tax relief in Massachusetts," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive.

FROM THE HUB

— "New plan charts 30-year course for equity and resilience in Greater Boston," by Hannah Reale, GBH News: "The Metropolitan Area Planning Council unveiled its sweeping 30-year roadmap Thursday after years of consultation with the 101 cities and towns in its Metropolitan Boston region. The 433-page MetroCommon 2050 plan reimagines transportation, housing, the economy, local governments and the arts. It also includes recommendations for how to meet Massachusetts' deadline of net-zero emissions by 2050."

— "Boston School Committee votes to shutter Mission Hill School," by Bianca Vázquez Toness, Boston Globe: "Boston's Mission Hill K-8 School will close at the end of June, and the nearly 200 students who attend there will have to find new schools for the fall. That was the decision of the School Committee Thursday night after a scathing investigation released last week called Mission Hill a 'failed school' and found previous school leaders endangered students by ignoring ongoing sexual abuse and bullying while also neglecting students with disabilities."

A message from Reproductive Equity Now:

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "East-West rail looking more promising after Gov. Baker's DC visit where he spoke with Amtrak officials: 'We had a good meeting'," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "Gov. Charlie Baker, who last week declared his strongest support to date for East-West commuter rail, said he talked 'quite a bit' with Amtrak officials about the project designed to link together Eastern and Western Massachusetts during his trip to Washington, D.C. … The timeline to bring East-West rail — connecting Boston, Worcester and Springfield — to fruition remains an open question."

DAY IN COURT

— "Former head of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe convicted of bribery, extortion," by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: "Cedric Cromwell, the former chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, was convicted of extortion and bribery Thursday by a federal jury in Boston for soliciting a $10,000 payment, gym equipment, and a weekend stay at an upscale hotel from a Rhode Island architectural firm overseeing the tribe's plans for a $1 billion casino in Taunton."

TRUMPACHUSETTS

— "New book says Trump feared Elizabeth Warren as an opponent more than Biden," by James Pindell, Boston Globe: "Before the 2020 presidential primary season got underway, Republican Donald Trump was dismissive of Democrat Joe Biden's chances, saying he was a 'weak, old man.' Trump was more concerned about Massachusetts US Senator Elizabeth Warren, who he thought had a better populist message. Trump commented on the race to former New Jersey Republican governor Chris Christie, who recounted the episode to a pair of New York Times political reporters, Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, whose new book, 'This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future,' was released this week."

WARREN REPORT

— "Elizabeth Warren is worried about Fidelity's plan to offer bitcoin in 401(k)s," by Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Business: "Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith sent a letter to Fidelity this week asking, among other things, why it didn't heed earlier concerns by the Department of Labor on the issue of including cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement accounts."

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MARKEYCHUSETTS

— "Ed Markey says Congress must protect abortion rights; calls to end the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court," by Anthony Brooks, WBUR: "[N]ext week's Senate vote on the Women's Health Protection Act will almost certainly fail. … But [Sen. Ed] Markey says voting on the legislation again will send a powerful message. 'It will signal the beginning of a historic, monumental political battle in the Senate, but also across our country in 2022,' Markey told WBUR."

FROM THE 413

— "NAACP asks Pittsfield to shift crisis response from police to 'non-violent' teams," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "The local NAACP chapter is calling on Pittsfield's elected leaders to overhaul how the city responds to people in the throes of a mental health crisis – and to consider shifting that duty away from police. The group is speaking out in the wake of the fatal police shooting of Miguel Estrella on March 25."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Asbestos found in construction debris dumped in Chelsea," by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: "Though now banned, asbestos was once commonly used in building materials. If asbestos-laden debris is disturbed or broken apart, small fibers can become airborne and inhaled. … Chelsea City Manager Thomas G. Abrosino called the situation 'appalling' and said he was insulted that the state didn't notify his office about the plan to store the debris so close to where people live."

— "Report says DCF needs to incorporate family input into policies," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Eva's story is included in a unique report being published by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, which looks at the state's child welfare system through the eyes of the families caught up in it. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 14 parents and youth and met three times with representatives of Family Matters First, a group of over 100 parents with DCF involvement. The interviews paint a highly critical portrait of the Department of Children and Families, the state agency tasked with looking out for children's welfare."

— "Anti-Defamation League: White nationalist hate group spread propaganda in several Attleboro area towns, state," by David Linton, The Sun Chronicle: "A white nationalist hate group spread propaganda in several Attleboro area communities last year, including Seekonk, Rehoboth, Mansfield and Norton, according to a report by the Anti-Defamation League. The group, called the Patriot Front, distributed pamphlets containing the phrases 'America First,' 'Reject Poison,' 'Revolution is Tradition' and 'For the Nation, Against the State,' according to the report, which was released last month."

— "Nantucket's topless bylaw on the rocks, legal expert warns," by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: "Nantucket's bylaw passed this week, allowing women to go topless on public and private beaches. But it has a major crack — it calls for all of the sands to be top-free. That, says Cambridge legal eagle Harvey Silverglate, could give state Attorney General Maura Healey a way out of this touchy subject that hits right as she's running for governor. The AG must approve or reject the bylaw. 'The bylaw is perfectly reasonable as long as other beaches offer alternatives…'"

— "Mass. teachers union latest to criticize Marriott Copley labor practices," by Grant Welker, Boston Business Journal.

— "Massachusetts Jewish leaders dismayed, angered over likely reversal of Roe v. Wade," by Mark Herz, GBH News.

A message from Reproductive Equity Now:

The future of Roe v. Wade hangs in the balance and abortion rights are under attack like never before. Here in Massachusetts, we have an opportunity and obligation to ensure that abortion care is accessible to all people across the Commonwealth. But right now, thousands of college students across Massachusetts live in "access deserts." Without access to medication abortion on campus, some students are forced to travel for hours on public transportation to access care. We must ensure that the Commonwealth is a beacon for reproductive freedom — and that starts with improving access to care on our college campuses. That's why state legislators must pass An Act to Require Public Universities to Provide Medication Abortion. Navigating an unplanned pregnancy is stressful. Accessing medication abortion shouldn't be. Learn more.

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— "New Hampshire House approves new redistricting map that would put incumbents in same district," by Adam Sexton, WMUR: "New Hampshire House Republicans approved another congressional redistricting map Thursday, but Gov. Chris Sununu has already indicated he's not in favor of it."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Paul Clark, Daniel Jick, David Rogers, Lori Lefkowitz, Meg McIntyre and Amanda Drane.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Emma Riley, Nancy White, Chris Lindahl, M.J. Tidwell, Nicholas Harrer and Brian Dunn, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Francy Wade, Dana Sprole, Janis Lippman, Tom McCuin, Dave Lam, David Brade and Kelley Greenman.

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