News: Scrambling for Palfrey's supporters

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Scrambling for Palfrey's supporters

Aug 31, 2022

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO — Quentin Palfrey's abrupt exit from the attorney general race and endorsement of former rival Andrea Campbell recalibrates the Democratic primary with less than a week to go.

It's also sending Campbell and Shannon Liss-Riordan racing to capture his supporters and other big names who have yet to wade into the contest. The two remaining Democrats spent Tuesday making personal appeals to party activists, city councilors, and state and federal lawmakers, with some success.

Liss-Riordan finished the day with around 50 new endorsements, her campaign shared with Playbook. They're a mix of former Palfrey supporters — including state Sen. Anne Gobi and state Rep. Adam Scanlon — and newcomers to the race like state Rep. Mike Connolly and state Sen. Paul Feeney, and district attorneys Jonathan Blodgett and Anthony Gulluni.

She also picked up the support of Our Revolution Massachusetts, one of the progressive groups that had previously endorsed Palfrey. Henry Wortis, an ORM spokesperson, told Playbook that the organization believes Liss-Riordan is now the "clear choice" for the job given her support for Medicare for All and how she's "successfully defended workers rights in [hundreds] of cases."

How much Palfrey can tip the scales in Campbell's favor in what polling shows to be a close contest will depend on how many of his supporters — those who haven't already voted — continue to follow his cues.

Some are embracing Campbell with full-throated endorsements. "I think she's an extraordinarily impressive woman," former state Democratic Party Chair Phil Johnston told Playbook. "Quentin's with her. Maura Healey's with her. I almost never disagree with Elizabeth Warren and Michelle Wu, and I hate doing so in this case, but I would like to see that glass ceiling broken with a woman of color in the attorney general position."

Others are weighing their options. "I'm very disappointed that Quentin won't be our next attorney general," state Rep. Steve Owens told Playbook. "I haven't decided my own next steps, but I'm taking Quentin's endorsement of Andrea Campbell very seriously."

And some are finding it difficult to reconcile Palfrey's endorsement of Campbell with his long-running criticism of the former Boston city councilor over myriad issues from her past support for charter schools, to her different approach to safe injection sites, to her refusal to disavow super PAC spending in their race.

"I feel totally betrayed," Newton City Councilor Holly Ryan, who has now endorsed Liss-Riordan, told Playbook. "I'm a pro-public schools, pro-teachers union Democrat. ... Shannon's pro-union. She's always spoken for the little person."

We'll get a sense for how Campbell and Palfrey campaign together — and how well the former adversaries can show they've buried their swords — when they greet press at 10 a.m. outside the State House.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Primary day is less than a week away. What races are you watching? What mailers are you getting? Share your thoughts: lkashinsky@politico.com.

TODAY — Secretary of State Bill Galvin holds a pre-primary media availability at 10:30 a.m. at the State House library. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a Governor's Council meeting at noon. GOP governor/LG team Chris Doughty and Kate Campanale host a press conference on transparency at 3 p.m. outside the State House.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Mass. board selects next higher ed commissioner," by Diane Adame, GBH News: "The Board of Higher Education voted for Pennsylvania's former Education Secretary Noe Ortega to become Massachusetts' next Commissioner of Higher Education. The board unanimously selected Ortega from a group of four finalists on Tuesday morning after a five-month search."

— "States get stingy as sour economy drains their surpluses," by Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: "States once roiled by Covid shutdowns are now flush with cash from better-than-expected tax collections and one-time federal aid infusions while they stare down rising inflation and an economy teetering toward a recession. After spending the first half of this year crafting budgets that struck careful balances between spending big and shoring up reserves, the state of play [over tax relief] in Massachusetts highlights the financial challenges legislators and governors will have to navigate when they return to their state capitals in 2023 under potentially more volatile fiscal conditions."

FROM THE HUB

— "Woman who accused Suffolk DA candidate Ricardo Arroyo of sexual assault breaks silence: 'The lies. ... It makes me sick'," by Andrea Estes and Evan Allen, Boston Globe: "The woman who told Boston Police that Ricardo Arroyo sexually assaulted her in 2005 when they were high school classmates never wanted to talk publicly about it. She said that at the time, she was afraid of what Arroyo might do when they were teenagers, and now is afraid of what he might do if he wins his campaign for Suffolk district attorney. But last week, Arroyo held a press conference to push back against a Globe story that revealed he had twice been accused of possible sexual assault in 2005 and 2007, though never charged. Arroyo declared that he never assaulted anyone and was never informed of any investigations. The 34-year-old Boston city councilor suggested he was being targeted by a political smear campaign. Many of his most visible supporters — including US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu — stuck by him. The woman said she was so shocked by Arroyo's response that she felt compelled to speak out."

— "In a Suffolk DA race rocked by controversy, another question remains: Who has the right experience for the job?" by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "The Democratic primary for Suffolk district attorney has been rocked by controversy in recent weeks, with both candidates facing allegations of improper conduct. But voters still face a choice between them, and beneath the cloud of drama, questions remain about which candidate has the right kind of experience for the job. When it comes to the experience, the contest presents a contrast: City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, whose legal career as a public defender was brief, but who pledges to continue in the progressive vein of Rachael Rollins based on his work in a flawed system versus Kevin Hayden, who offers voters a more traditional resume spanning 25 years as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney."

— "Ricardo Arroyo sues Boston over files," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo has sued the city in the latest twist and turn in the battle over his political future, demanding files from a 2005 investigation into him, per the campaign."

— GET READY TO RUMBLE: Hayden and Arroyo are scheduled to debate for the first time since the Globe began reporting that Arroyo was twice investigated, but not charged, for possible sexual assaults as a teenager. The forum, sponsored by Communities of Color and several political groups, will also feature debates among candidates for key Boston races including the Second Suffolk state Senate showdown and the 5th and 6th Suffolk state representative contests. The action begins at 5:30 p.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church in Mattapan.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "In sweeping report, federal transit officials decry T's lack of safety focus, feckless state oversight," by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: "Federal transportation officials on Wednesday are set to issue a scathing report on the MBTA that finds the agency's focus on long-term projects came at the expense of day-to-day operations and safety. The skewed priorities left the agency with too few workers, too little training, and weak safeguards, the Federal Transit Administration found, according to a copy of the report obtained by the Globe Tuesday night. 'The combination of overworked staff and aging assets has resulted in the organization being overwhelmed, chronic fatigue for key positions in the agency, lack of resources for training and supervision, and leadership priorities that emphasize meeting capital project demands above passenger operations, preventive maintenance, and even safety,' the document, labeled as a 'final report,' said."

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— ON THE AIRWAVES: GOP gubernatorial hopeful Chris Doughty is leaning on New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu in a new ad featuring footage of the pair — and of Sununu knocking Doughty's rival, Geoff Diehl — from a fundraiser earlier this month.

— FROM THE OPINION PAGES: The Springfield Republican's editorial board has endorsed state Rep. Jake Oliveira for Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state senator.

— "Lt. Gov. candidates diverge on rent control, housing issues," by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: "Tuesday's forum hosted four candidates — Democrats (Kim) Driscoll and state Senator Eric Lesser, and Republicans Kate Campanale and Leah Cole Allen, both former state representatives. Tami Gouveia, another Democrat running, did not attend. Only Campanale outright opposed rent stabilization, with the other three candidates opting to support a local option approach."

BALLOT BATTLES

— "SJC says Legislature has broad powers on voting," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday dismissed the major constitutional challenge that has been levied against the new state law allowing voting by mail, formally addressing a legal question that has been hovering over attempts to expand the law for years. The court found that the Constitution, which lays out specific reasons why someone may vote absentee, does not prohibit the Legislature from expanding voting access beyond that. 'Voting is a fundamental right, and nothing in [the Constitution] prohibits the Legislature, which has plenary constitutional powers, including broad powers to regulate the process of elections and even broader powers with respect to primaries, from enhancing voting opportunities,' Justice Scott Kafker wrote in a 61-page unanimous opinion."

DATELINE D.C.

— "Some U.S. Justice Dept staff barred from attending partisan events," by Sarah N. Lynch and Nate Raymond, Reuters: " Political appointees at the U.S. Justice Department will be barred from attending campaign events or fundraisers, according to new guidance issued by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday ahead of November's midterm elections. … The change came after the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, a government watchdog agency, opened an investigation into whether Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins violated the Hatch Act by attending a July Democratic fundraiser featuring First Lady Jill Biden, according to a document seen by Reuters."

BIDEN TIME

— "President Biden to visit Boston on Sept. 12 to tout infrastructure law," by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe: "President Biden will travel to Boston on Sept. 12 to discuss the investments being made under the bipartisan infrastructure law he signed last year, according to a White House official. There were no additional details about the visit, which comes as Biden is ramping up his travel to tout administration accomplishments ahead of the November congressional midterm elections."

The president's visit comes the day before primaries in neighboring New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

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MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "She's back: Shannon O'Brien rejoins Mass. government as top marijuana regulator," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "Shannon O'Brien, the former Massachusetts treasurer and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is returning to state government after a nearly 20-year absence — this time as chair of the Cannabis Control Commission."

FROM THE 413

— "In final Berkshire district attorney debate, Shugrue tries to put Harrington on the defensive with past cases," by Meg Britton-Mehlisch, Berkshire Eagle: "Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington has remained steadfast in expressing pride for her office's work over nearly four years. For the final debate before the Democratic primary next week, challenger Timothy Shugrue brought a list of cases he said challenge that view. Harrington came prepared with her own list of cases she said demonstrates her success in bringing violent offenders to trial in Berkshire County."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Student loan forgiveness: Massachusetts students may end up paying $500 in taxes on debt cancellations," by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: "Massachusetts student borrowers may end up paying additional taxes as a result of President Biden's decision to offer between $10,000 to $20,000 in student loan debt forgiveness, depending on whether the state considers that forgiveness a taxable event, according to a national tax policy think tank. The Tax Foundation released a list of 13 states that could include discharged student loan debt as taxable income — though it may shrink if legislative or administrative changes are made to exclude debt forgiveness. The list shows Massachusetts students potentially on the hook for $500 in taxes if $10,000 in debt is forgiven."

— "'Lies and manipulation': Donna Colorio responds to mailer calling her 'radical'," by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: "At-Large City Councilor Donna M. Colorio took to Facebook Monday night to say that a political action committee's mailer criticizing her record on LGBTQ and education issues contains 'lies and manipulation.' Last week, Worcester residents received a mailer that pointed out Colorio would likely become mayor if current Mayor Joseph M. Petty were to win election to the state Senate. The [flier] called her 'too radical' for the position."

MEANWHILE IN MAINE

— "Maine court revives Mass.-financed hydroelectric power line," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday breathed new life into a Massachusetts-financed power line designed to carry hydroelectricity from Canada to Lewiston and from there into the New England power grid. Fifty-nine percent of Maine voters passed a law in November that retroactively blocked the transmission line from being built through the heavily wooded Upper Kennebec region of Maine, but the court held that key sections of the law were unconstitutional because they deprived the company building the line of rights that had already vested."

MEANWHILE IN VERMONT

— "Vermonters to Consider Constitutional Amendment on Reproductive Rights," by Jack Thurston, NBC10 Boston: "On Election Day this November, a question related to accessing abortion and other reproductive health care decisions will be on ballots across Vermont. Under Article 22, voters will be asked whether the Vermont Constitution should be amended to include reproductive liberty. That would mean future state lawmakers couldn't pass laws that restrict reproductive rights, advocates have said."

HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH

WEEKEND WEDDING — Massachusetts AFL-CIO senior organizer Brian Dunn and Deirdre Anderson were married on Friday at Holy Redeemer Church in Chatham, and held their reception at Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port. Dunn's family priest, the Rev. Albert Capone, officiated. SPOTTED: Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos; Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman and his brother, former state Sen. Warren Tolman; Greg Maynard and Kerry Richards; Kevin Duffy and Christina Pacheco; Tim Depin of AG Maura Healey's office and Kelsey Perkins of Rep. Katherine Clark's office; Chris Matthews of Rep. Bill Keating's office; Mass. AFL-CIO staff Kevin Brousseau, Lindsay Kenney, Michelle Dardeno, Martin Mulkerrin and Chrissy Lynch; Molly Stolberg, Warren alum Stephanie Houghton; Heather McAullife-Kittendaugh and Ben Kittendaugh, Rachael Running, Jerry Leary and Gabe Frumkin.

TRANSITIONS — Darrin Howell is now political director of 1199SEIU in Massachusetts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli ( who will celebrate by kicking off his reelection campaign ) and state Sen. Becca Rausch.

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