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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
NEW: STATE PARTY CONSIDERING 'VIRTUAL CAUCUS' — The coronavirus outbreak is creating some chaos in the Democratic Senate primary between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III. The state party is weighing whether to use "virtual caucuses" to make up for called-off meetings, and the organizers of an upcoming debate have nixed the studio audience.
The Massachusetts Democratic Party canceled its remaining state caucuses earlier this week due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. Now the party is grappling with how to proceed. About 30 percent of the caucuses have not been completed, including those planned for Andover, Leominster, Gloucester, Attleboro, Fall River, and a number of other cities and towns.
State caucuses are where local town and city Democratic committees elect delegates to attend the state convention in Lowell, which is planned for May. Candidates need support from at least 15 percent of delegates at the convention to appear on the ballot as a Democrat. The winner of the convention receives an endorsement from the state party, but that does not guarantee the candidate will win the September primary.
Party chair Gus Bickford floated the idea of holding "virtual caucuses" on a phone call which included representatives for the Markey and Kennedy campaigns, and a state committee member on Tuesday night, according to a person familiar with the call. Virtual caucuses are just one option being considered, and it's not clear how the party would conduct virtual caucuses, or what platform it would use to do so.
With the March 22 deadline to complete the caucuses creeping up, the state committee will likely vote to extend the caucus deadline, the source familiar with the call said. For its part, the state party says it is confident all delegates will be elected ahead of the convention in May.
"We'll be rolling out guidelines in the near future for the caucuses and fully expect that we'll be able to elect all delegates ahead of the convention," said Veronica Martinez, executive director of the party.
Coronavirus concerns have also sparked a change in plans for the March 18 Senate debate in Springfield. The televised debate will no longer include a studio audience, according to a spokesperson for Western Mass News, which is among the organizations hosting the debate.
Candidates may only bring three guests, who must remain in the green room during the debate. Outside media are barred from the debate, meaning candidates will not take questions from a crowd of reporters after the event. And the supporters and protesters who typically hold signs for hours outside the debate venue may not congregate on the sidewalk outside the building.
WALSH GOES NATIONAL — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh went on a cable news blitz on Wednesday, giving interviews to CNN and MSNBC regarding the growing number of coronavirus cases in Boston. It's not typical for the mayor to do two cable news hits in a single afternoon, and the move is a signal of the increased national spotlight on Boston, particularly as Walsh and other officials weigh canceling the Boston Marathon.
The city already canceled the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and political breakfast, and Walsh said he's considering the fate of the marathon in April. The marathon pumped an estimated $200 million into the Boston-area economy in 2019, meaning area businesses could take a significant hit this year if holding the event is deemed a public health risk.
"We're in conversations right now," Walsh said to host Wolf Blitzer on CNN. "We're going to make some decisions in the next several days here."
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh don't have events on their public schedules. Secretary of State Bill Galvin talks to reporters about the 2020 census. Boston City Councilor MIchelle Wu speaks at a press conference at the State House to "condemn racism towards the Asian American community" due to the coronavirus. Rep. Seth Moulton talks to reporters about coronavirus in Washington, D.C.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Coronavirus outbreak is officially declared a pandemic, as events, schools are closed and Dow continues to plummet," by Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: "The World Health Organization declared on Wednesday that the novel coronavirus spreading across six continents can now be called a pandemic, as the number of cases rose in Massachusetts and around the world. Massachusetts cases increased slightly to 95, from 92 the day before, and the number of state residents who have been subject to quarantine topped 1,000. Worldwide, the number of cases are more than 120,000 while the number of deaths exceed 4,300."
- "Mass. Corrections Implement 'New Screening Protocols' On Visitors Due To Pandemic," by Jenifer B. McKim, WGBH News: "The Massachusetts Department of Correction on Wednesday released new protocols for visitors attempting to visit the system's 16 facilities in an effort to stave off the spreading of COVID-19. The DOC said 'effective immediately' visitors should be prepared to answer questions about where they have traveled and disclose any contact with people showing signs of the virus. State officials say they are committed to making sure people can visit their loved ones in prison."
- "Virus spurs Galvin to seek emergency election powers," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "With four special House and Senate elections planned for the end of the March and hundreds of municipal elections on the calendar in the next couple of months, the state's top elections overseer plans to seek emergency powers from the Legislature to be able to respond to the evolving coronavirus outbreak. The emergency authority being sought by Secretary of State William Galvin would include the power to postpone an election or move a polling location in the case of an emergency."
- "Coronavirus: Maura Healey warns of increased scams related to virus including fake vaccines, fraudulent charities," by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: "As cities contemplate canceling parades, businesses require employees to work from home and universities implement online classes due to concerns of the coronavirus, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey warned the public Tuesday to be mindful of scams related to the virus. Healey said scams related to vaccines, health insurance and health products are on the rise. Specifically, Healey warned against high-priced or low-quality products."
- "Lack of storage curtails illegal tobacco seizures," by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport Daily News: "State police have nearly run out of space to store untaxed cigarettes and other products seized from smugglers, which has stymied tobacco tax enforcement efforts. Since July, state law enforcement officials have seized about $30,000 worth of untaxed tobacco products, according to a new report by the Multi-Agency Illegal Tobacco Task Force. There haven't been more seizures, the report said, 'due to the lack of an appropriate storage facility for seized tobacco evidence.'"
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Three campuses of Boston's Eliot School to be closed because of coronavirus case," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Authorities are closing the three North End campuses of the Eliot K-8 Innovation School for a week starting Thursday because of a presumptive positive case of coronavirus in a 'non-student member of the school community,' Boston Public Schools said in a series of tweets Wednesday night. The school district is encouraging everyone 'who has been physically inside one of three Eliot Buildings to practice social distances and avoid public places until' March 20. The district plans to re-open all three campuses on March 19."
- "Northeastern, BU, UMass to shift to online classes in response to coronavirus," by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: "Four major universities in Massachusetts announced Wednesday they were ending in-person classes and shifting to online or remote learning in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The University of Massachusetts system (75,000 students), Boston University (35,000 students), Northeastern University (22,000 students), and Boston College (15,000 students) all announced they planned to drastically curtail campus life in the coming days."
- "Stop and Shop's Online Orders Surge 33% Amid Coronavirus Anxiety," by Adrian Ma, WBUR: "Among the many products and services seeing a surge in demand due to coronavirus anxiety purchasing, you can add this to the list: home-delivered groceries. The grocery chain Stop & Shop is seeing a surge in demand for its online order and delivery service Peapod. Stop & Shop spokeswoman Jennifer Brogan said Peapod orders during the first week of March were 33% higher compared to the same week last year."
- "As students pack up early, March feels like May for some storage and moving companies," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "Nick Lawrence is used to getting telephone calls from students — and parents of students — who want their belongings picked up or stored by his Cambridge-based business, Nick's Moving Company. But those inquiries typically happen closer to the end of the academic school year, as graduation and summer vacation nears, and there's some pre-planning involved."
- "JFK Library Closes After Two Employees Are Exposed To Coronavirus At Somerville Event," by Marilyn Schairer, WGBH News: "The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston announced Wednesday that it will be closed until further notice after two employees were potentially exposed to COVID-19 at a wedding and party venue event in Somerville last week. Library officials said in the news release that the two employees attended the event with 300 others at the Row Hotel in Somerville on March 4. Other attendees have since tested positive for the virus."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Biden spent nothing on Boston TV ads," by Jack Sullivan, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL candidates spent $26.4 million on television advertising in the Boston market running up to the New Hampshire and Super Tuesday primaries this year, but the figure that really jumps out is zero. That's how much Joe Biden, the winner of the Massachusetts primary, spent on advertising on Boston stations. Data filed with the Federal Communications Commission indicate Biden ran no ads on the five major TV stations serving Greater Boston and parts of New Hampshire."
- "Joe Kennedy says Democrats' Senate campaign arm is blocking his effort to aid candidates," by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III wants to launch a joint fund-raising committee with several Democratic Senate candidates who are seeking to flip Republican-held seats, a crucial part of the party's plan to wrest back control of the chamber. The only problem, the Kennedy team says: The Democrats' Senate campaign arm doesn't want his help."
- "Markey, Kennedy agree to June 8 US Senate debate on WPRI 12," by Ted Nesi, WPRI: " U.S. Senate rivals Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy III have agreed to participate in a live televised debate on June 8 hosted by WPRI 12 and Gannett's Massachusetts publications, the only face-off between the pair scheduled to be held in Southeastern Massachusetts. The debate will take place at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Markey, who was first elected to the Senate in 2013 after decades in the House, is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Kennedy, who has represented the 4th Congressional District since 2012. Polls have consistently shown a close contest between the pair."
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "T forgot raises for top 2 officials," by Colman M. Herman, CommonWealth Magazine: "The MBTA failed to give its top two officials pay raises they were owed and no one, including the officials themselves, noticed the error until a reporter asked about them. Under the three-year contract General Manager Steve Poftak signed with the T in January 2019, he received a starting salary of $320,000 and automatic raises of 1.5 percent each year. The first raise was due on January 1, but he never received the money."
- "The MBTA says it's hiring at an 'unprecedented' rate. So why are some workers protesting?" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "The MBTA is hiring new workers at an 'unprecedented' rate, but only after several years of cuts in its workforce. And during a Fiscal Management and Control Board meeting this week, a coalition of MBTA workers, riders, and activists brought receipts — protesting the effects of the staffing downswing. 'The MBTA is quickly becoming the most dangerous transit system in the country, and we feel that's unacceptable; we know that's unacceptable,' said Brian Doherty, the secretary-treasurer of the local Building & Construction Trades Council, which represents some MBTA workers."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Coronavirus and courts: Massachusetts trial courts get deep cleaning; jurors expected to serve, but can seek extensions," by Elizabeth Román, Springfield Republican: "Trial courts in Massachusetts will be providing hand sanitizer at every entrance and workers will be deep cleaning several locations, but business will otherwise continue as usual for scheduled court cases. Paula M. Carey, Chief Justice of the Trial Court, informed staff members that the human resources department is working closely with the Department of Public Health for guidance and has formed a team with other Office of Court management departments to anticipate and address workplace issues."
- "'It's funny. I haven't gotten any sleep yet,' says man freed after serving 28 years for double murder Suffolk DA says he did not commit," by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "After his legs were unshackled and his freedom was restored after nearly 28 years in prison, Ronald D. Qualls helped his sister change a flat tire and embraced a pastime that was far less accessible when he went behind bars for a 1992 double murder Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins' office now says he did not commit. Qualls, 48, was released on the basis of DNA evidence that prosecutors and his attorneys at the Boston College Innocence Program say exonerates him and incriminates another man in the Oct. 3, 1992 shooting deaths of brothers Roosevelt 'Tony' Price and Ronald 'Dallas' Price ."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Elizabeth Warren Is Unlikely to Endorse Bernie Sanders. Here's Why." by Astead W. Herndon and Shane Goldmacher, The New York Times: "Senator Elizabeth Warren, whose endorsement became highly coveted in the Democratic presidential race after she dropped out last week, is unlikely to endorse her ideological ally Senator Bernie Sanders, according to several people close to her, even though Mr. Sanders is looking for political lifelines as he struggles against former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Ms. Warren is expected to withhold her endorsement from Mr. Sanders as well as Mr. Biden at this point, choosing to let the primary play out rather than seek to change its course."
- "Warren Campaign's Mass. Director: 'Painful' To See Diverse Field Winnow To Current Choices," by Kari Njiiri, NEPR: "It's been nearly a week since Massachusetts U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren suspended her campaign for the White House following a disappointing showing on Super Tuesday, including a third place finish in her home state. Members of her campaign team are now deciding what to do next. Jossie Valentin is a former Holyoke city councilor and was director of the Warren campaign in Massachusetts. Valentin, who endorsed Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary, says this time around she's more interested in working on down-ballot races."
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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- "Rep. Lynch: Testing For Coronavirus Is 'Pretty Dire Right Now,'" by Arun Rath and Amanda Beland, WGBH News: "The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, a pandemic. Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch spoke with WGBH News' All Things Considered anchor Arun Rath from Washington, D.C. about the evolving outbreak in the Commonwealth."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "PANDEMIC," — Globe: "OUTBREAK NOW A PANDEMIC," "NBA suspends its season," "Parents on edget over health fears." |
| THE LOWELL CONNECTOR |
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- "Nangle supporters hold street corner rally for indicted rep," by Elizabeth Dobbins, The Lowell Sun: "A crowd holding signs on the corner of Nesmith and Andover streets Wednesday afternoon had a cohesive message: embattled state Rep. Dave Nangle is a good guy. Nangle was indicted on 28 federal charges last month related to alleged bank fraud and the improper use of campaign funds. The next day he resigned from his committee positions in the Statehouse, but following several weeks of consideration, he said he has decided to run for re-election to the 17th Middlesex District, a seat he has held since 1999."
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| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Coronavirus spike in Western Massachusetts: A mayor, 54 nurses under quarantine in Berkshire County," by Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: "Dozens of Western Massachusetts residents, including two city officials, are under quarantine after possible exposure to people diagnosed with coronavirus. While the majority of cases in Massachusetts are tied to foreign travel, medical professionals in the Berkshires are confronting community spread of the virus. Seven presumptive positive diagnoses of the disease, named COVID-19, have been reported in Berkshire County, the sole county in Western Massachusetts so far to report any cases."
- "In Berkshires, getting answers about coronavirus 'very frustrating for everybody,'" by Amanda Drane, The Berkshire Eagle: "To the frustration of local leaders, answers were hard to come by Wednesday amid a wave of coronavirus-related cancellations and closures. Seven people in Berkshire County have tested positive for COVID-19. No additional test results came back positive Wednesday, but it was unclear whether that was because of a lag in testing. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health did not respond to multiple requests for information."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Scituate, Abington cancel St. Patrick's Day parades amid coronavirus threat," by Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger: "The luck of the Irish couldn't save St. Patrick's Day parades in Scituate or Abington, as town officials called off the festivities in both towns amid growing concern over the coronavirus pandemic. The Scituate Board of Selectmen decided Wednesday night to 'indefinitely postpone' the parade following a phone call with the state Department of Public Health and discussion with town officials. Abington also made the decision Wednesday to cancel the annual parade."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Sen. Mitt Romney, who turns 73 today.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: THE WOMEN EXPLAIN IT ALL - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray discuss the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts. Zeninjor Enwemeka of WBUR talks about what Massachusetts shoppers are buying to prepare for the pandemic, and Nina Liang of Emerge Massachusetts discusses women running for office in the wake of Sen. Elizabeth Warren's decision to drop out of the 2020 race. State House News Service reporter Katie Lannan talks about gender parity. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
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.
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