| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | Presented by Vineyard Offshore | DOLLAR SIGNS — Most members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation aren’t facing electoral challenges this campaign cycle, but some are still keeping up the fundraising cadence, according to their latest Federal Election Commission filings. TOP TAKEAWAYS: Sen. Elizabeth Warren raised over $1.3 million from April to June. It’s the biggest haul among members of the state’s all-Democratic delegation, which makes sense — Warren is one of the few members set to run in a contested race in November. Rep. Jake Auchincloss isn’t facing any competition right now, but he brought in $819,235 into his campaign coffers — the next highest among the delegation. And Democratic Whip Katherine Clark wasn’t far behind, adding $775,494.to her campaign account. PRIMARY FOCUS: Marine vet and attorney John Deaton currently holds the cash advantage in the Republican Senate primary with nearly $1 million in his campaign account at the end of June. But Quincy City Council President Ian Cain outraised Deaton this year's second quarter, pulling in around $353,000, including a $1,000 donation from Jonathan Kraft — and not counting the $3,434 of his own money he threw in the mix, per the filings. Both candidates banked more than Bob Antonellis, a conservative Republican who had a bit under $10,000 in his account at the end of June. Deaton has some back up. A super PAC formed by crypto advocate and attorney James Murphy saw an infusion of cash from the crypto world — $50,000 from Murphy and $1 million from Ripple Labs, the major cryptocurrency firm Deaton played a role in defending from a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit. And the Deaton Victory Committee, a joint fundraising account between the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the MassGOP and Deaton’s campaign raised around $116,000 between April and June. Warren’s nearly $5 million war chest dwarfs the money currently behind the Republican candidates, who will have to spend their way through a primary before going head-to-head against her in November. She doesn’t seem to be writing her eventual challenger off entirely, though — whoever it may be. Her campaign spent $10,000 on “research consulting” at Spiros Consulting, a firm that does opposition research and other consulting for Democrats, in May. SEEING STARS — One eye-catching detail from the second quarter’s FEC reports: a $3,300 donation from one “Danny DeVito” to independent candidate Nadia Milleron, who is challenging Rep. Richard Neal in MA-01. Whether or not it’s that Danny DeVito is unclear. The donor listed a P.O. box in Los Angeles as his address. Milleron doesn’t know DeVito personally she told Playbook Monday night, but the donation rolled in the same day she went on the radio and TV news program “Democracy Now!”. It wouldn’t be the first time DeVito has played in politics; the actor endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for president in 2016 and 2020. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Are you Danny DeVito? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Rep. Bill Keating celebrate federal funding for the Cape Cod bridges at 11 a.m. at Sagamore Beach. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu testifies on her property tax shift home rule partition at 1 p.m. at the state house.
| | | | A message from Vineyard Offshore: Vineyard Offshore delivers—from engaging with communities to building trusted partnerships, all the way to creating the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind project. With our next venture, Vineyard Wind 2, we're excited to do it again, bringing economic opportunities, healthier air, and 100% clean energy to communities across the Commonwealth. We can power the future, together. Learn More. | | | |  | CONVENTION ZONE | | DATELINE, MILWAUKEE — Monday morning began with good news for former President Donald Trump, as Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the federal criminal charges against Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The day of Republican revelry in the wake of Trump’s narrow escape from a would-be assassin’s bullet saw the now-official Republican nominee introduce his VP pick — Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, an author and former Trump critic — and crescendoed with Trump stepping out into the arena (bandaged ear and all) to roaring applause. Catch up on Day 1 of the Republican National Convention. THE MASSACHUSETTS ANGLES — Trump’s VP announcement refocused Bay State Democrats, who were quick to join the Biden campaign in hammering the senator over his stance on abortion. “JD Vance has told us who he is. Believe him.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley posted on X seconds after the announcement was official, alongside a quote from a 2021 interview in which Vance seemingly wrote off exceptions to laws restricting abortion for victims of rape and incest. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined a press call with Biden’s campaign shortly after, where she and other allies talked up the contrast the Vance pick highlighted between the two presidential tickets. Warren reveled in the idea of a vice presidential debate between Vance and Kamala Harris. “The VP will take it to J.D. Vance,” Warren said during the press call. “She is strong, she knows what she’s talking about and she doesn’t give an inch — and she has the better end of the argument.” Meanwhile, Medford native and Teamsters President Sean O’Brien took the stage for a historic speech railing against large corporations and lobbyists, name-dropping Amazon, Uber and Lyft. He did sneak in a shout out to his home state: "I still carry my commercial driver's license. I still have my place on the union seniority list. You'll find me back in Boston driving a tractor trailer … because I have the protection of a union contract that gives me the freedom to speak my mind and to fight like hell." One other telling detail from The Washington Post: "One more sign of Trump’s takeover of the party came when the chair of the Massachusetts delegation referred to his state as 'Magachusetts,'" write Dan Balz and Hannah Knowles.
WHAT DEMOCRATS WERE WATCHING — “Biden defends ‘pretty damn good’ mental acuity in testy interview,” by Adam Cancryn, POLITICO: “President Joe Biden dismissed mounting concerns within his party over his age and ability to run for reelection, insisting in an interview Monday that he is showing Americans that he has ‘command of all my faculties.’”
— “‘It’s like a pep rally around here’: Republicans greet Trump as a hero, while Dems simmer over Biden,” by Adam Wren, Olivia Beavers and Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: “Even ahead of the shooting, Republicans were reveling in the infighting enveloping the Democratic Party over whether Biden is fit to serve another term after his disastrous debate performance weeks ago. And that freakout — while publicly frozen — has privately intensified in the wake of the assassination attempt. ‘It made Trump harder to beat. And so a lot of people feel the only chance we have is with someone new at the top of the ticket,’ said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), one of almost 20 federal lawmakers who has publicly called for Biden to step aside.”
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Sierra Club and the Environmental League of Massachusetts are endorsing state Rep. Dylan Fernandes in his bid for the open Plymouth and Barnstable District state Senate seat, per his campaign. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — A slate of unions including Iron Workers Local 7, Carmen's Union Local 589, the Massachusetts Nurses Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association is endorsing Lynn School Committee member Sean Reid in his bid for the open 11th Essex District seat, according to his campaign.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | FROM THE HUB | | — “The Krafts’ road to an Everett soccer stadium for the Revolution goes through Boston — and Mayor Wu,” by Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe: “The main road into Everett goes through Boston — and Mayor Michelle Wu. … Wu offers no indication she’s more comfortable now than when she first raised concerns that the measure was being rushed through for this prominent property on Boston’s doorstep. ‘The mayor has always hoped for a soccer stadium in Boston, but was never approached about a Revs stadium proposal throughout her entire time in elected office, including as a city councilor,’ Wu spokesperson Emma Pettit said Thursday. ‘As with any major project, the impacts depend entirely on the details, and there have been no publicly or privately shared details about this proposal, which includes Boston land in the parcel and would likely create more significant impact on Boston’s neighborhoods than Everett’s with primary access suggested to be through Sullivan Square.’”
| | | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | | — “Senate Charts Course To Soothe ‘Struggling’ Health Sector,” by Chris Lisinkski, State House News Service (paywall): “Nearly two months after the House approved an earlier version of the legislation, the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Monday teed up a 115-page redraft (S 2871) that similarly seeks bulked-up reporting requirements, stiffer penalties for failing to comply with state regulations, and greater scrutiny on private equity backers in health care. Although both versions take aim at similar issues, Senate Democrats deployed a different approach than their counterparts in the House in several areas. They also added changes tackling prescription drug spending and pharmacy benefit managers, areas left largely untouched in the House.” — “O’Brien has pocketed nearly $170,000 while suspended,” by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon: “Shannon O’Brien has been paid nearly $170,000 since Treasurer Deborah Goldberg suspended her with pay 10 months ago as chair of the Cannabis Control Commission. O‘Brien was suspended in September 2023. The calculation of what she has been paid since being suspended is based on her $181,722 salary in 2023 ($15,143 a month) and her pay of $108,608 through the first six months of this year. A spokesman for Goldberg defended the process. ‘Since September 2023, the treasurer has been working diligently to meet with Chair O’Brien and provide her with an opportunity to be heard,’ said Andrew Napolitano. ‘The treasurer is taking the necessary time to review all of the information to make an informed decision.’”
| | | | A message from Vineyard Offshore:   | | | | | WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET | | — “In wake of Trump shooting, Mass. AG doubles down on gun reform: ‘I meant what I said’,” by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe: “Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is pressing for stricter gun laws in the wake of an attempted assassination of former president Donald J. Trump during a Pennsylvania campaign stop over the weekend. … The suspected gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was killed at the scene by Secret Service snipers. Authorities said Crooks used an AR-style rifle in the attack, which killed one audience member and critically wounded two others. In a phone interview Monday, Campbell said the gun that was used in the shooting, ‘you couldn’t buy here in Massachusetts, you couldn’t buy a copy or duplicate,’ in the state.”
| | FROM THE 413 | | — “Oliveira, Carey demand state probe into conditions at South Hadley nursing home,” by Emilee Klein, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A week after a group of nurses stood outside in blistering heat to call attention to the working conditions at the Pioneer Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center off Route 202, the two state politicians who represent the town are calling on the state to formally investigate conditions at the 132-bed nursing home.”
| | | | Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more. | | | | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Massachusetts truck safety regulations spur division in wake of Cambridge cyclist deaths,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “Opposition from a state municipal lobbying group over regulations that look to bolster safety around large trucks has drawn the ire of elected officials in Cambridge, where two cyclists have died after being struck in recent weeks. All state-contracted trucks must be equipped with side guards, improved mirrors and backup cameras by January 2025, an order the Massachusetts Municipal Association says is ‘not reasonable for cities and towns.’” — “Offshore wind turbine blade damaged south of Vineyard, investigation underway,” by Heather McCarron, Cape Cod Times: “A blade on one of the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore turbines was damaged over the weekend, prompting an investigation by the blade's manufacturer. In a statement released Monday afternoon, the offshore wind developer referred only to ‘an incident involving blade damage on a wind turbine’ in the offshore energy area south of Martha's Vineyard. The project is a joint venture of Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.” — “SCTV launches first radio broadcast from new station,” by Matt Petry, The Newburyport Daily News. — “Inside look at the plans for State Pier,” by Will Sennott, The New Bedford Light: “A marine industrial hub. A ‘boat-to-table’ restaurant. A public fish auction hosting culinary seafood experiences. These are just a few of the proposals submitted in May to MassDevelopment to redevelop a central but “underutilized” strip of New Bedford’s waterfront: the State Pier.”
| | MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND | | — “Providence’s port community punches back against pollution,” by Chris Burrell, GBH News.
| | | | A message from Vineyard Offshore: Vineyard Offshore’s next big project, Vineyard Wind 2, builds on its record of experience and reinforces Massachusetts’ leadership in the offshore wind industry. Located 29 miles south of Nantucket, Vineyard Wind 2 is set to have a profound impact in Massachusetts and beyond by supplying 1,200 MW of clean electricity to New England. This will power 650,000 homes and is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 2.1 million tons annually—equivalent to removing 414,000 cars from the road.
The economic benefits are substantial. Vineyard Wind 2 is expected to generate more than $2.3 billion in regional economic impact and deliver thousands of jobs to communities. A recent study indicates that by 2030, offshore wind could save New England an average of $630 million annually on electricity costs, reducing rates on consumers' bills. Together, we’re powering the future with 100% clean energy. Learn More. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | TRANSITIONS — Viviana Abreu-Hernández will be Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new President. She starts August 1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sheel Tyle, Andy Bromberg, Maddie Conway and Daily Hampshire Gazette alum Sarah Crosby. Happy belated to Conan Harris and Ché Anderson, assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations at UMass Chan Medical School, who celebrated Saturday. 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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