News: Healey, Diehl and the Latino vote

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Healey, Diehl and the Latino vote

Oct 04, 2022

COMMUNITY OUTREACH — Maura Healey and Geoff Diehl are making their push for Latinos who constitute the state's second-largest ethnic bloc and who polls show are more concerned than most about their economic futures.

Healey and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, the Democratic nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, embarked on an "economic empowerment" tour of some of the state's largest Latino communities on Monday. Latino-owned small businesses were less likely to receive pandemic aid than white-owned businesses, a recent MassINC Polling Group survey showed. The Democrats, who started their day hearing from Chelsea business owners who struggled through Covid-19 and are now facing supply chain woes, pledged more access to capital and financing in response.

From left: Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, Colombian Boutique owner Maria Barrientos, Chelsea City Councilor and state representative candidate Judith Garcia and Democratic nominee for governor Attorney General Maura Healey on a small business tour of Chelsea, Massachusetts.

On the Republican side, Diehl tapped Astrid Hajjar and Francisco Urena, the former state veterans secretary, as co-chairs of his Latino outreach efforts that have included interviews on radio stations and local events. Both candidates have translated their websites into Spanish, though Diehl's now redirects to a joint site with running mate Leah Cole Allen that his campaign said it's working to translate.

Republicans have made inroads in Latino communities in recent elections that Democrats are hoping to reverse. GOP Gov. Charlie Baker came within 116 votes of beating Democrat Jay Gonzalez in Lawrence, where the Republican cultivated a strong relationship with then-Mayor Dan Rivera, a Democrat. And Baker was only 245 votes behind Gonzalez in Chelsea. Donald Trump lost Massachusetts in a landslide in both of his presidential campaigns, but narrowed the gap between 2016 and 2020 in Lawrence, Chelsea and Holyoke.

The economy could motivate Latino voters this fall: 69 percent of Latino likely general-election voters surveyed in the latest Suffolk University/Boston Globe/NBC10/Telemundo poll believe the economy is in a recession or depression, compared to 50 percent of all likely voters surveyed. Twenty-nine percent said recent price increases have caused them "a lot" of financial hardship, compared to 22 percent of overall respondents.

Ballot Question 4, which asks voters whether to keep or repeal the state's new law allowing undocumented immigrants access to driver's licenses, could also drive Latino voters to the polls. Sixty-four percent of Latino voters in the Suffolk poll said they support the law, while 26 percent would overturn it. The overall survey showed 49 percent of likely voters would keep the law and 38 percent would reject it. Healey supports the new law, while Diehl has been active in the repeal effort.

Yet Latino voters, like any group, are not a monolith. "Sure, we care about immigration," Juan Jaramillo, a Democratic State Committee member from Revere who's backing Healey, told Playbook. But there's also the economy and the health disparities exacerbated by the pandemic that hit Latino and Black communities particularly hard. Plus, Jaramillo said, "Latinos actually really care about the environment."

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Healey raised $470,018 in September and entered the last five weeks before the general election with $3.5 million in her war chest, her campaign said.

Diehl posted his best monthly fundraising haul yet, $191,147, according to OCPF. But he only has $88,507 to carry him into the home stretch. Diehl paid $7,343 to the vendor that provided phone services for former President Donald Trump's pre-primary "tele-rally" in support of the Republican governor hopeful.

But his biggest expense last month was the $9,375 he paid to former adviser Corey Lewandowski — the first of eight payments for his primary services that Diehl's campaign manager, Amanda Orlando, said will vary in price.

TODAY — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a press conference on digital equity at 11:30 a.m. in the South End.

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

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— IN MEMORIAM: "Milford's William Welch, who worked at the State House for 48 years, has died," by Dan O'Brien, Milford Daily News: "Shortly after being elected in November 2016 to represent the 10th Worcester District, state Rep. Brian Murray, D-Milford, recalled being summoned down the hall to the State House office of Senate Clerk William Welch. 'Let me show you something,' Murray recalled Welch, a fellow Milford resident, telling him. 'His office — you wouldn't believe it. It was like a museum, a history museum of Massachusetts government. Then he opened a log showing all of the people who visited the State House... he opened it to a date in 1972 and there was the name of Mary DePasquale Murray — my grandmother, who was really politically active.' … Welch, who retired at the end of 2018 after 48 years working in the State House — the last 15 as Senate clerk — died Saturday. He was 72."

— More from State House News Service: "Visiting hours are scheduled for Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Edwards Memorial Funeral Home (44 Congress St., Milford), followed by an 11 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (7 East Main St., Milford). A graduate of St. Joseph's University and New England School of Law, Welch started out as a Senate office page in 1970 and came on board fulltime in 1973 as a clerical assistant in the clerk's office. He served as calendar clerk from 1980 to 1998, then as assistant clerk until 2003 when he took charge of the office following Clerk Patrick Scanlan's retirement."

— "State to pour $15M into tuition reimbursement for addiction workers," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "A state panel that controls money from opioid settlements plans to spend $15 million to pay off student loans for substance abuse counselors and others who work with addicts. ... The move is aimed at recruiting and retaining new workers in a sector of the state's health care system that is traditionally among the lowest paid."

— "'No authority and no staff,' but Armini digs into new job," by Charlie McKenna, The Daily Item: "Jenny Armini credited her victory in the heated six-person primary battle for the 8th Essex state representative seat in part to her ability to build connections in the three communities she is set to represent in January. … Armini does not face a Republican opponent in the November general election but, she must still wait until January to be sworn into office — leaving her in a position of limbo with 'no authority and no staff.'"

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— "CDC selects Massachusetts Department of Public Health to lead $25 million regional center for tackling infectious disease threats," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The CDC has picked the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to lead a $25 million regional center to better prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, state health officials announced on Monday. The DPH will establish the New England Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence — one of five regional centers designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

FROM THE HUB

— "Boston School Committee approves $141.6 million teachers union contract," by Julian E.J. Sorapuru, Boston Globe: "The Boston School Committee unanimously approved a new three-year contract with the Boston Teachers Union worth about $141.6 million. … The contract, which union members ratified earlier this month, includes money for new hires to help integrate students with special learning needs into general classroom settings, a 9.5 percent pay raise for educators over the course of the contract, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all union members."

— "Boston City Council now has three redistricting maps to consider," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Bostonians now have three council-district maps to consider, including one from the leaders of the redistricting committee as the process shambles toward the deadline a month out. City Councilors Liz Breadon, the redistricting vice chair, and Brian Worrell, the vice chair, introduced a map that they say strengthens the four majority-minority 'opportunity' districts."

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN: New rules expanding voting access for the incarcerated that became law as part of the VOTES Act don't take effect until January. But two advocacy groups are urging county sheriffs to get moving on those reforms ahead of the November election. The Democracy Behind Bars Coalition and the African American Coalition Committee have sent letters to each county sheriff urging them to make sure incarcerated people who are eligible to vote are given the information they need to cast their ballots. They're also asking for stats on jail-based voter participation, along with other information.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Rep. Seth Moulton has endorsed Democrat Dawne Shand for First Essex state representative. Shand won a write-in campaign to appear on the November ballot opposite Republican C.J. Fitzwater, who also won his primary write-in campaign for the seat vacated by GOP state Rep. Jim Kelcourse.

— "Libertarians hope to regain major party status," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "The state's Libertarians lost their major party status in the 2020 elections, but they're counting on a crop of statewide candidates in November to help expand the party's base and regain its official designation. Libertarians have fielded candidates in the wide open race for governor and lieutenant governor, state treasurer, auditor and a North Shore congressional seat in the Nov. 8 elections."

BALLOT BATTLES

— ON THE AIRWAVES: The Committee on Dental Insurance Quality supporting the ballot question that would require dental insurers to spend at least 83 percent of the premiums they collect on dental expenses and quality improvements, not administrative expenses, has launched its first television ad. And it uses none other than Delta Dental, the insurer that's poured at least $4.5 million into the opposition effort, to support its argument that a yes vote would mean more money spent on patient care. The ad is airing as part of a $1.5 million buy through Election Day. Top donors listed on the ad include the Alliance of Independent Dentists and Mouhab Rizkallah, who spearheaded the ballot initiative.

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MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "Mass. Still Seeking 'Long-Term' Option to House Migrants," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service (paywall): "Most of the roughly 50 Venezuelan migrants who were flown to Martha's Vineyard last month at the behest of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are still being lodged at Joint Base Cape Cod, though Massachusetts is working to come up with better and less temporary solutions, Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday. … Asked about the possibility of helping people who have had to evacuate Florida as it was hit by Hurricane Ian late last week, Baker said that Massachusetts 'would of course be willing to help in any way that makes sense' and added that Massachusetts is already working through an interstate agreement to help Florida process some of its unemployment claims."

DAY IN COURT

— "Holyoke Soldiers' Home employees' class-action lawsuit dismissed by federal judge," by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: "A federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit filed last year by employees of the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke over working conditions during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak. … The judge's order was entered on the public case docket on Monday. He ruled the employees, who alleged their civil rights were violated during 'inhumane' pandemic working conditions, did not successfully demonstrate which constitutional rights were violated."

— "Insurance adjuster charged with stealing from gas disaster victims," by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: "A Mississippi woman who worked as an insurance adjuster has been charged with with stealing more than $28,000 and the identities of four victims of the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions, Attorney General Maura Healey announced Monday. Lashaunda Studaway, of Jackson, was arraigned Thursday in Salem Superior Court on four counts of identity fraud and two counts of larceny over $1,200. Between October 2018 and December 2018, Studaway worked as an insurance adjuster on behalf of Columbia Gas. … Healey's office alleges that Studaway stole $28,971 and the identities of four claimants impacted by the explosion by [disbursing] pre-paid debit cards — that were supposed to go to claimants — to herself."

— "Satanic Temple goes after abortion bans," by Steph Solis, Axios: "The Salem-based Satanic Temple is suing Indiana and Idaho in federal court over their abortion bans, arguing they violate the religious rights of people in those states."

WARREN REPORT

— "Few Customers Get Refunds for 'Rampant' Zelle Fraud, Senator's Report Says," by Stacy Cowley, New York Times: "Reports of scams and fraud on the bank-owned payment network Zelle are surging, but banks have refused to refund customers for most of their losses — at times outright flouting a federal consumer protection law, according to a report released on Monday by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts."

— "Progressives hunt for new, younger leaders post-Sanders-Warren era," by Hanna Trudo and Amie Parnes, The Hill: "Progressives' two biggest national fixtures — Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) — themselves aren't young and some in the party are ready for a blank canvas in 2024 or beyond, particularly if [President Joe] Biden decides not to seek reelection or if November's outcome is less than favorable for their side."

— Related: "Biden tells Al Sharpton he will run for president again in 2024," by Jonathan Allen, NBC News.

MARKEYCHUSETTS

— SCOTUS WATCH: The Supreme Court is back in session, so Sen. Ed Markey is out with a new 'zine on why he wants to add four seats to the bench. Markey's Judiciary Act remains stalled at 59 House cosponsors and two Senate cosponsors, with Reps. Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren among them. But at least the 76-year-old senator's comms shop is still keeping up with the youths.

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "Worker dies at Holyoke cannabis cultivation facility," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Lorna McMurrey, a 27-year-old West Springfield woman, died in January after a shift working at a Holyoke cannabis cultivation facility. The company, Trulieve, was fined $35,200 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which found that McMurrey could not breathe after inhaling ground cannabis dust. McMurrey's mother, Laura Bruneau, said she is considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the company. … The company said it conducted a thorough investigation of the Holyoke facility. It said personal protective equipment was available onsite, and air quality was tested throughout the site and found to be acceptable."

— "Northampton council's discussion on limiting cannabis shops runs into issue: A lack of clear data," by Will Katcher, MassLive: "A City Council discussion on whether to limit cannabis retailers in Northampton ran into a tricky barrier at multiple points Monday night: clear data was hard to come by on if the influx of pot shops in the community has impacted young people, motorists and public health. The council has in recent weeks prodded the idea of capping the number of marijuana dispensaries in the city. In the nearly four years since cannabis became recreationally legal in Massachusetts, Northampton has seen an influx of dispensaries unlike any other community in the state."

MEDIA MATTERS

— IN MEMORIAM: "Jack Thomas, journalist who poignantly wrote of his terminal diagnosis, dies at 83," by Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe.

HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who turns 42; Mayor Michelle Wu communications chief Jessicah Pierre, Max German, Miles Halpine, Eliza Adelson, Alexis Cantor, Will von Meister, Steve Picheny, Jon Tapper and Justin Dynia of state Rep. Kevin Honan's office.

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