| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | | Presented by |  | | | THE VIEW FROM VEEP-TOWN — The hundreds of donors who clustered under a tent on the tip of Cape Cod Saturday afternoon didn’t know for certain they were watching a soon-to-be presidential candidate when Vice President Kamala Harris stepped up to the microphone — even as questions abounded about President Joe Biden’s political future. Harris didn’t know either. But the sentiment among many of the attendees who lined up to hear from the second-in-command and the star-studded posse of politicians and celebrities who joined her at the fundraiser that raked in $2 million for Biden’s joint fundraising committee was that someone other than the incumbent would likely end up at the top of the Democratic ticket. That same air of inevitability hung over the private dinner for top Democrats and Biden-Harris officials that followed at event-planner and fundraiser host Bryan Rafanelli’s house and was attended by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Ed Markey and House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, among others, according to two people who attended the event granted anonymity to describe the private gathering. By the next afternoon, Biden was out and backing Harris to be Democrats’ new nominee. The vice president was moving quickly to shore up overwhelming support among prominent Democrats. Some pillars of the Democratic Party endorsed her — while others pointedly did not. Money came pouring in for the new Harris campaign. MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan was among the state Democratic Party chairs who threw their support behind Harris Sunday night. He was making calls Sunday to check in with delegates, and the state party is planning a conference call tonight to discuss the seismic shift in the campaign. Endorsements from some — but notably not all — of Massachusetts’ top Democrats came pouring in: — WHO’S WITH HARRIS: Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Seth Moulton, Jake Auchincloss, Bill Keating, Lori Trahan and Jim McGovern; Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Markey; Boston Mayor Michelle Wu; Attorney General Andrea Campbell (a prominent backer of Harris’ failed 2020 presidential bid); and, notably, Massachusetts’ one uncommitted delegate to the Democratic Convention, state Rep. Christopher Worrell. The Young Democrats of Massachusetts, an affiliate of the state party, is also backing Harris’s bid. — WHO ISN’T: At least not yet — Healey, Clark and Rep. Richard Neal all put out statements praising Biden for his decision, but didn’t outright endorse Harris. (Harris, FWIW, gave kudos to Healey during her speech at the fundraiser.) One thing we know for certain (for now): Harris will be back in the Bay State next weekend for a fundraiser in the Berkshires — an event that, as of last night, was still on. But this time the headliner will be a candidate for president, rather than VP. GOOD MONDAY, MASSACHUSETTS. In other fundraising news, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is heading to Boston Friday to raise money for her Fight Like Hell PAC. Don’t read much into the timing — the lunchtime fundraiser was in the works before yesterday’s bombshell, and Whitmer has already thrown her support behind Harris. Ticket prices range from $100-$5,000, according to the invitation. TODAY — Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announces affordable housing grants at 1:30 p.m. in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. and speaks at a Puerto Rican flag raising ceremony in the South End at 5 p.m. Where were you when you heard the news? Drop me a line, for a feature tomorrow: kgarrity@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: Paying less out-of-pocket means our members can focus on living healthier lives. Learn more about how CVS Caremark is ensuring access and affordability to critical medications for millions of Americans. | | | |  | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY | | THEY’RE WITH HER — Harris spent the afternoon and evening making calls and shoring up support from members of Congress. Several high-profile governors thought to be potential substitutes themselves should Biden step aside (Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro) all endorsed her Sunday But some key battleground state Democrats were conspicuously quiet amid the frenzy. Keep an eye out for movement from Sen. John Tester in Montana, Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, and House members facing competitive races in the fall. THE GOP TAKE — “No matter the nominee, Americans now see through the failed policies of the Democratic Party," MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said in a statement. "From the economy to border security, Democrats have fallen short. Americans want a shift, and we’re confident that no Democrat will measure up to the Republican ticket.” AROUND NEW ENGLAND — New Hampshire Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, two of the state’s four delegation members, endorsed Harris. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan both issued statements supportive of Biden’s decision, but didn't back Harris. The vice president also won support from Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo (h/t WPRI’s Ted Nesi) and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos. — Why Biden finally quit via POLITICO’s Eli Stokols, Jonathan Lemire, Elena Schneider and Sarah Ferris — VEEPWATCH via POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier, Hailey Fuchs and Heidi Przybyla — COLUMN: Alone and Abandoned, Biden Learns That Friends Are More Dangerous Than Enemies via POLITICO’s John Harris — PAC PIVOT: A super PAC with ties to Hollywood and Massachusetts that formed to boost Biden’s standing with younger voters is putting six figures behind a new 30-second spot backing Harris. The ad, which will air on social media and streaming platforms in three swing states, is targeted to younger voters, Lisa scooped. The locals behind the PAC: pollster John Della Volpe and Deval Patrick alum Doug Rubin. WHAT YOU MIGHT’VE MISSED — All the updates from POLITICO’s liveblog … NYT has a timeline of Dem. lawmakers’ pressure campaign … If you’re confused by all the “coconut tree” references read this explainer from Forbes … NYT: How Aaron Sorkin would’ve written the script (featuring former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney) ... The Boston Globe checks in with some Bay State voters ... POLITICO: Sorry, 2028-ers (or are they 2032-ers now?) WHAT’S FOR DINNER — The roughly hundred attendees at the Rafanelli event dined on chili honey glazed shrimp, grilled salmon, potato pavé and more.
| | | | Live briefings, policy trackers, and procedural, industry, and people intelligence from POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy this election cycle. Secure your seat. | | | | | | | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | CASH DASH — Gov. Maura Healey was in Edgartown yesterday for another fundraiser — this one for herself — according to an invitation obtained by Playbook. — “Mass. Convention Center Authority under audit for settlement agreements, contracting issues, sources say,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s Office is preparing to release an investigation into the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority after “several significant issues” were discovered, including around settlement agreements and contracting, according to multiple state and private-sector sources. The audit, which is expected to be released later this summer, comes months after the organization’s executive director, David Gibbons, resigned, controversy escalated around a piece of land in South Boston, and a separate investigation into allegations of race discrimination at the authority.” THEY’RE GRINDING — “Accords Reached On Wage Transparency, $1.26 Billion IT Bond Bills,” by Sam Doran, State House News Service (paywall): “Conference committees negotiating pay equity legislation and a $1.2 billion info-tech bond bill each filed their House-Senate accords around 3 p.m. Friday in the House clerk's office, teeing up both measures for votes next week. Speaker Ronald Mariano's office told the News Service that the House will take up both conference reports at its next formal session, which is currently scheduled for Wednesday.”
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “Massachusetts migrant-family shelter program has had 300-plus ‘Serious Incident’ reports this year: ‘Very disturbing’,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “More than 300 ‘Serious Incident’ reports have been recorded at Bay State migrant-family shelter program sites so far this year, the Herald has learned. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has listed a total of 316 Serious Incident reports at hotels, congregate sites, scattered sites, and co-shelters in the Emergency Assistance family shelter program. … Hotels had the most reported serious incidents with 125 — followed by congregate sites with 78, scattered sites with 72, and co-shelters with 22. There were 19 other incidents, but officials said they couldn’t determine the type of shelter or agency called.”
| | | | A message from CVS Health:   | | | | | FROM THE HUB | | — “After demotion of BPD deputy superintendent, department’s commitment to reform is questioned,” by Laura Crimaldi, The Boston Globe: “Supporters of a veteran Boston police officer who was removed this month from the command staff gathered Saturday in Dorchester, where they criticized the demotion as emblematic of unfilled promises to take law enforcement reform seriously and unequal treatment of people of color within the department. Speakers at the gathering, held at the headquarters for the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers, or MAMLEO, also accused Mayor Michelle Wu of failing to honor commitments made to instill more accountability and transparency in the Police Department. They vowed to take their fight to the ballot box.” — “Boston City Council looks to get grasp on ‘reckless’ moped driving impeding quality of life,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald. — “Boston outlines surveillance technology in first-ever transparency report,” by Dan Glaun, The Boston Globe.
| | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL | | THE BOSTON COFFEE SHOP WALLS HAVE EARS — by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “Josh Kraft, who heads up the philanthropic New England Patriots Foundation, may not officially be a candidate for mayor of Boston, but he’s making moves and holding talks that potentially indicate an eye on formalizing a 2025 campaign. During a sit-down with a friend inside a Back Bay coffee shop on Monday, Kraft told him that he is ‘announcing in the fall,” adding, ‘We have the opportunity to do so much good.’ Kraft’s conversation about what sounded like a mayoral run was overheard by another customer who relayed the details to CommonWealth Beacon.”
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts is rolling out a slate of legislative endorsements today, targeting seats in the southeastern part of the state where abortion services are more limited. Among the more than two dozen candidates the organization is backing: State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who is running for the open Plymouth and Barnstable District state Senate seat; And in open House races, Arielle Reid Faria, who’s running for the Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket seat Fernandes is leaving behind; Hadley Luddy in 4th Barnstable; Leigh Davis in the 3rd Berkshire; and Rebecca Coletta in the 6th Plymouth. One notable challenger PPAF is backing: Johnnie McKnight, who’s taking on Democratic state Rep. Bud Williams in the 11th Hampden district. — “Republican John Deaton finds friends in the Winklevoss twins,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Republican John Deaton’s bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is becoming increasingly tangled up with the cryptocurrency industry. Two giants in the space who are also known for their ties to Facebook, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, donated $1 million worth of Bitcoin this week to a super PAC backing Deaton — who moved to Massachusetts this year from Rhode Island — the Commonwealth Unity Fund. Tyler Winklevoss said Warren is ‘one of the single greatest threats to American prosperity.’” — “U.S. Senate candidate Ian Cain meets with Worcester voters,” by Spectrum News staff.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — “Dearth of judges causing court bottleneck in Hampshire Superior Court, across state,” by James Pentland, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Summertime is traditionally slow time in the courts, with vacations eating into the judicial system’s flow of business and occasionally leaving a court with no judge. This summer, the seasonal slowdown is only compounding the fact that there aren’t enough judges, especially in Superior Court, which has 12 openings statewide, or one out of every seven seats.”
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Learn more about how we’re making medicine more affordable for all Americans. | | | | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | | — “Debris Clean-Up Continues As Nantucket Considers Legal Action Against Vineyard Wind,” by JohnCarl McGrady, Nantucket Current: “The Nantucket Select Board on Saturday announced its intent to discuss potential legal action against Vineyard Wind as teams from the company and hired contractors - along with island residents - continued to clear debris from the beaches Saturday morning. The Select Board's meeting will be held in executive session on Monday. Executive session meetings are closed to the public to avoid potentially compromising the Town's position by revealing legal strategies and other details. In the meantime, Vineyard Wind assured island residents that Jetties Beach was free of debris ahead of today's Nantucket Triathlon, at least for now.”
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | TRANSITIONS — Boston College Law professor David Wirth was tapped to join the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee, which advises the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Wirth served as a senior attorney and co-director of the International Program at the D.C. office of the Natural Resources Defense Council, focusing on environmental issues, including environmental reform at the World Bank. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rosemary Powers. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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