News : Marty’s campaign-trail travels

Monday, October 24, 2022

Marty’s campaign-trail travels

Oct 24, 2022

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MILES TO GO BEFORE HE SLEEPS — He might not be the most in-demand former mayor serving in the Biden administration. But Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who wouldn't get involved in Boston's race to replace him last year, is shaking off his campaign cobwebs in the run-up to the midterms.

He's joined New Hampshire and Iowa Democrats at high-profile events. He's trekked to Kansas to support Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids, who's facing a tough reelection fight in a redrawn district. He's expected to appear with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Senate candidate Mandela Barnes later this week.

And Walsh was in Providence on Saturday to boost Seth Magaziner, the state treasurer who's trailing Republican Allan Fung in polls in a congressional district Democrats have held for three decades, and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, who's seeking a full term. First lady Jill Biden will campaign with McKee and Magaziner on Wednesday.

Magaziner said the high-profile visits show "people understand how important it is that we keep this seat."

For Democrats like Magaziner looking to rally their labor troops before Election Day, Walsh presents a compelling surrogate. The son of Irish immigrants overcame alcohol addiction, worked his way up to head of Boston's building trades, and served as a state representative, mayor and now labor secretary. As Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) put it: "Marty is the story of America."

Walsh's efforts to avert a national railroad strike raised his profile and fueled speculation of him joining a presidential ticket down the line. But talk of a rail strike is returning and any run for higher office would inevitably exhume the skeletons of his mayoral tenure.

Walsh says, as he always does, that he's focused on the job he has right now. But he also left the door open to not finishing out President Joe Biden's first term.

"We'll see," Walsh said. "This is probably the furthest into an administration that no [Cabinet member has] left , which is really amazing. And I think the reason for that was we love working for the president and the vice president and we all like each other. … It's too early to see what's next and how long I'm going to stay."

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh speaks at an event

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh speaks at a campaign rally for Rhode Island congressional candidate and Treasurer Seth Magaziner and Gov. Dan McKee on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 in Providence. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Here are two other nuggets from when Playbook caught up with Walsh:

— On whether he'll stump for Massachusetts Democrats: "We'll see what happens. Part of that [is] I'm in a different position in Massachusetts. There are a lot of those folks that are running for office that I've served with in one capacity or another. … The ask in Massachusetts is certainly a lot different than the ask around the country."

— On how he helped end the Haverhill teachers strike: "There seemed to have been a point where there was a breakdown in communication, so I offered my support services. I talked to both sides, I want to say it was Thursday, and they literally had an agreement that night, which was great."

TODAY — AG Maura Healey campaigns for governor in Foxboro and Taunton beginning with a Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Emergency Communications Center tour at 2:30 p.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on WBUR's "Radio Boston" at 11 a.m.

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

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Step therapy bill moving in informal sessions," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "For nearly eight years, patient advocate groups have been battling insurers to limit the use of step therapy, a policy requiring patients to try one treatment before accessing a different one. Could 2022 be the year a bill finally becomes law? Advocates saw hopeful signs Thursday, as lawmakers started moving a bill in informal sessions. But whether it becomes law remains an open question since it still faces some opposition."

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— "After final debate, Diehl challenges Healey to another matchup," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "Less than a day after what was billed as the final gubernatorial debate, Republican nominee Geoff Diehl challenged Attorney General Maura Healey, his Democratic opponent, to a third match-up before Election Day on Nov. 8. … Healey's campaign signaled later Friday that there won't be a third debate."

— "Diehl addresses crowd at White City campaign stop, calls for block of vaccine mandates," by Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette: "Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl stressed Saturday morning that parents should have complete power over the vaccination of their children, as a crowd of about 50 supporters cheered at a sunny outdoor gathering at White City Shopping Center."

— "Baker-linked super PAC bets big on Hodgson," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "A super PAC with close ties to Gov. Charlie Baker reported spending $294,000 on behalf of 33 state candidates on Friday, with the biggest amounts going to support Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and three Republicans vying for Senate seats. The Massachusetts Majority super PAC, which its chairman says supports 'a bipartisan slate of political centrists,' spent $32,125 on digital advertising on behalf of Hodgson, a big supporter of former president Donald Trump. Hodgson is being challenged by Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux.

The PAC spent $23,312 on behalf of William E. Johnson of Granby, who is challenging Democrat Jacob Oliveira of Ludlow for the Senate seat being vacated by Eric Lesser; $20,995 on behalf of Edward F. Dombrowski Jr., of Wakefield, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Jason Lewis of Winchester; and $20,176 on behalf of Rep. Shawn Dooley of Norfolk, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Becca Rausch of Needham."

— "Election 2022: Running red in a blue state, how GOP candidates face challenges in era of Trump," by Ron Chimelis, Springfield Republican: "James 'Chip' Harrington, of Ludlow, is running for state representative in the 7th Hampden District. He describes himself as a moderate Republican. When a voter at a campaign stop saw the 'R' next to Harrington's name, he threw the candidate's card in the trash and walked off, Harrington said. The man later returned, though, perhaps out of curiosity, and engaged in a reasonably fruitful conversation. … [A]s daunting as it already is for Republicans to win in most districts, the current political climate adds an entirely new layer of challenge. Harrington and [Anthony] Amore are among those who identify as moderate, but say they get rejected by Democratic voters who say they would never vote for a Republican. They also get rebuffed, they say, by Republicans who support Trump and disregard what the party's right wing calls RINOs — Republican In Name Only."

— "Lori Trahan, Dean Tran lay out their visions for 3rd District," by Melanie Gilbert, Lowell Sun: "The questions exposed the wide rift between the candidates on such issues as abortion, election integrity, the economy and Supreme Court reform. The questions also showed where they agree on such matters as retaining entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security, making America more energy independent and lifting the Schedule 1 substance definition of cannabis under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, allowing adult use of marijuana purchases."

— "Gun-control group launches ad targeting Sheriff Hodgson," by Christopher Shea, Dartmouth Week: "[O]ne of the largest gun-safety groups in the nation is pouring money into the race for Bristol County sheriff with an ad urging voters to oust longtime Republican incumbent Thomas Hodgson. The digital spot from the Michael Bloomberg-founded Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund titled 'Record (Massachusetts)' calls Hodgson's record in office 'extreme and dangerous,' highlighting several controversies the sheriff has faced in his 25-year tenure. ... Holly Robichaud, the spokesperson for the Hodgson campaign, responded to the allegations made in the ad, calling them 'unscrupulous.'" More on Everytown's investment from NBC News' Alex Seitz-Wald.

— "Sheriff Tom Hodgson disappointed in 'dirty tricks' after fake Twitter account surfaces," by Frank Mulligan, Standard-Times: "Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson 'expressed deep disappointment in the dirty tricks occurring in this election' after he was told a phony Twitter account purporting to be from the city of New Bedford had included a remark about him."

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AS SEEN ON TV

— AD WATCH: Rep. Bill Keating, who's facing Gov. Charlie Baker-backed Republican challenger Jesse Brown , hit the airwaves over the weekend with a television ad playing up his efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and expand benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits. Brown is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

— WATCH: Democratic attorney general nominee Andrea Campbell and Republican nominee Jay McMahon spar over abortion access, policing and the opioid crisis at Mass and Cass in their sole debate, which aired on WBZ's "Keller @ Large" over the weekend. Campbell has proposed establishing a "reproductive justice unit" in the AG's office and pledged to be an "AG that stands up nationally to protect [abortion] rights" in the event of a federal abortion ban.

McMahon says he will enforce Massachusetts' current laws about reproductive rights: "You will not see me being a political activist attorney general who's taking one side or another. I'm going to dispense with justice in accordance with the law," he said. Republicans running for statewide office who describe themselves as "pro-life" have used the Democratic-controlled Legislature, which shepherded through new abortion protections after Roe v. Wade's fall, as a shield against attacks from Democrats who claim the GOP candidates would jeopardize reproductive rights.

— ALSO WATCH: Republican Anthony Amore argue on WCVB's "On the Record" that his background in investigations and inspections presents a "unique opportunity" for someone to come into the auditor's office with a "professional eye" rather than coming over from the Legislature, where his opponent and auditors past have served.

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YOU'VE GOT MAIL

— "Cape Cod candidate wants to stop Dennis from counting mislabeled ballots. What to know," by Sarah Carlon, Cape Cod Times: "Tracy Post, the Republican candidate for 1st Barnstable state representative in the Nov. 8 general election, is seeking an injunction against counting any of approximately 2,600 mislabeled ballots sent out to Dennis voters. The mislabeled ballots list one of her opponents, Democrat Chris Flanagan, as the race's candidate for re-election. … Corrected replacement ballots were quickly sent to the approximately 2,600 people who received the original."

— "In election lacking 'intensity,' older, mostly white towns dominate ballot requests in Massachusetts," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "More than one in five Massachusetts voters have requested mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 8 election, but the appeal of this pandemic-era approach is far from universal, state data show. Those taking advantage of the state's newly permanent expanded mail-in voting option tend to be older — either near or past retirement age — and they are also more likely to reside in predominantly white or affluent towns."

BALLOT BATTLES

— "Unions and business execs pour in cash on either side of 'millionaires tax' ballot fight," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "The opponents of what's known as the 'millionaires tax' just had their most productive two weeks of fund-raising, collecting some $3.7 million largely from business executives. This marked the first reporting period in which the Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment outpaced the Fair Share Massachusetts committee, which supports the income tax surcharge that will go before voters next month. Fair Share raised nearly $3.2 million over the same two weeks, primarily from the National Education Association. In all, Fair Share has raised $21 million so far this year, well ahead of the opponents' $13 million."

— "Kraft gets kicked by Question 1 tax backers," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "In a new report, advocacy group Public Transit Public Good said Kraft, the state's second-richest resident with a net worth of $10.6 billion, is one of the top financial contributors to a campaign that opposes the Fair Share Amendment. … As of Sept. 9, [Robert] Kraft has contributed, ironically, $1 million to the 'No on Question 1' campaign, which was made through a Connecticut company he owns, Rand-Whitney Containerboard, the report found."

— READ RECEIPTS: Proponents of keeping the new law granting undocumented immigrants access to driver's licenses continue to far out-raise the opposition effort. The "Yes for Safer Roads" committee took in $939,455 from Oct. 2-15. Some of the largest contributions came from unions: SEIU, for instance, gave $500,000, according to OCPF. "Fair and Secure Massachusetts" took in $44,252, with the largest donations coming from businesses such as Nantucket Pavers, which contributed $10,000. Supporters of ballot Question 4 have now raised more than $2 million. The "no" side has raised $167,806.

JOIN WOMEN RULE THURSDAY FOR A TALK WITH DEPARTING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: A historic wave of retirements is hitting Congress, including several prominent Democratic women such as Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos, House Democrats' former campaign chief. What is driving their departures? Join POLITICO on Oct. 27 for "The Exit Interview," a virtual event that will feature a conversation with departing members where they'll explain why they decided to leave office and what challenges face their parties ahead. REGISTER HERE .

PARTY POLITICS

— "Libertarian Party splits into factions amid rebellion," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "The state's Libertarian Party has split into two competing factions amid heated disagreements between its leaders over the national party's right-shifting political platform. … The two factions of the party held competing state conventions in April, where delegates elected new leaders, approved bylaws and nominated candidates to run for office in the upcoming elections. But the dispute escalated in June when a faction under the banner of the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts voted to 'disaffiliate' from the National Libertarian Committee and its recognized state affiliate, which now calls itself the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts. The split created two Libertarian parties in Massachusetts, each claiming to represent the state's third-largest political party."

DAY IN COURT

— "Blunder in Affirmative Action Case May Cost Harvard $15 Million," by Adam Liptak, New York Times: "As Harvard prepares to defend its race-conscious admissions program at the Supreme Court this month, a federal judge in Boston is considering a related dispute arising from a fumbled insurance filing, one that could cost the university $15 million. Harvard failed to file a timely formal claim with one of its insurance companies for its expenses in defending the lawsuit challenging its admissions policies."

FROM THE 413

— "Former mayor's aide Darryl Moss sues Springfield, Sarno for discrimination," by Tristan Smith, MassLive: "The former longtime aide for Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and critical liaison between City Hall and the Black community, has filed an employment discrimination lawsuit against the mayor and the city alleging he was wrongfully terminated in October 2020 for a social media post contesting Donald Trump's open support for Kyle Rittenhouse." Western Mass. Politics & Insight first reported the lawsuit.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Ex-Woburn Cop's White Supremacism Violated Department Policies, Police Say," by Asher Klein, NBC10 Boston: "A Woburn Police Department investigation has sustained allegations against a former officer accused of planning a white nationalist rally that erupted in deadly violence in 2017, the town's police chief and mayor announced Friday."

— "Massachusetts students hit 19-year low on national reading, math exams," by Christopher Huffaker and Deanna Pan, Boston Globe: "Disrupted learning during the pandemic brought student achievement among students in Boston and statewide to the lowest levels in a decade or more, according to new data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, also known as the 'Nation's Report Card.'"

MEANWHILE IN MAINE

— "Has Maine moved on from Paul LePage?" by Brian MacQuarrie, Boston Globe: "Over two terms that ended in 2019, [Paul] LePage was a brash, take-no-prisoners governor who quickly gained national notoriety by telling the Maine branch of the NAACP to 'kiss my butt,' said President Barack Obama 'hates white people,' and used racially inflammatory language to describe out-of-staters who sell illegal drugs in Maine. Now, LePage said, he wants people to know that he is a gentler, more introspective candidate. … But it's not clear Mainers are buying it. Polls consistently show him trailing [Democratic Gov. Janet] Mills, some by double digits."

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HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Seth Moulton, former Boston Globe/Washington Post editor Marty Baron, Ernie Corrigan of Corrigan Communications, Matt Lehrich, Leigh Appleby and Michael Antonellis. Happy belated to Naysa Woomer of the state Department of Revenue, who celebrated Saturday.

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