| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. CAMPAIGN TENSIONS BOIL OVER ONLINE — With a week to go until voting day, tensions between the Kennedy and Markey campaigns boiled over yesterday. After a Senate primary season that was shifted online due to coronavirus, a feud between the campaign managers about the behavior of their supporters played out via email and Twitter. Kennedy campaign manager Nick Clemons penned a letter to Markey campaign manager John Walsh, calling on his candidate to issue a statement denouncing online attacks against Kennedy, his family and his supporters. Clemons attached dozens of Twitter screenshots, which included allusions to Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated President John F. Kennedy. And he copied members of the press on the email, which featured the subject line "I hope we can agree we're better than this." "We understand it is not anyone paid by the Markey campaign making these threats — but it is the direct result of the toxic online ecosystem your campaign has allowed (at best) and encouraged (at worst.)" Clemons wrote, adding that the campaign is often in contact with Capitol Police to flag death threats. "At the end of the day, the buck stops with the candidate and his or her campaign." As the letter circulated online, Walsh responded on Twitter, saying he was disappointed the Kennedy campaign was ending the primary with "crocodile tears." Kennedy asked Markey to address the online attacks at a recent debate, and the senator called the behavior "unacceptable" but said he was not aware of some statements. "Senator Markey has condemned all vile and hateful speech surrounding this race — and you know it," Walsh wrote online. He then referenced the pro-Kennedy labor union which drives a pickup truck by Markey's outdoor events, with a sign saying the senator sold out working families. "We don't whine or complain about your ridiculous campaign-supported stunts because we are focused on our campaign's positive message and supporters," Walsh added. Bay State political watchers are split. Some sources I spoke with yesterday were frustrated that Markey wouldn't condemn the posts in a more public way, while others said the senator shouldn't have to respond to what is being said about Kennedy online. One thing everyone could agree on: Politics in Massachusetts always becomes personal, especially in the final days of a closely-contested primary. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi headlines a virtual rally with Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Kennedy campaigns in Boston and Brookline. Sen. Ed Markey campaigns in Melrose, Woburn and Somerville. Markey and Kennedy speak at a forum hosted by the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts. Candidates for Congress Becky Grossman, Dr. Natalia Linos and Jesse Mermell join a virtual discussion on gender bias and elections with LeanIn. | |
| | PLUG IN WITH PLAYBOOK AT THE RNC : Join POLITICO Playbook co-authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman for "Plug In with Playbook," our new political show popping up at the Republican National Convention each morning at 9 a.m. EDT. Cut through the noise and go behind the scenes with elected officials, political VIPs and top journalists for the latest campaign news and whispers, in-depth analysis of down-ballot races, and the latest juicy nuggets from reporters' notebooks. Aug. 25-27. Watch it live here. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “After a day of no new COVID data, Massachusetts reports 27 new coronavirus deaths, 571 cases as infection rate dips to 1.1%” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Due to a planned upgrade of the state’s electronic laboratory reporting system, Massachusetts did not report any new coronavirus cases and deaths on Sunday. With the upgrade complete, the state released Monday all new data reported to the Department of Public Health since Friday afternoon.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Lynn emerges as a new center of coronavirus in the state,” by Dasia Moore, Boston Globe: “As COVID-19 ravaged Massachusetts in the spring and summer, a blue-collar city north of Boston emerged as the state’s worst outbreak. Today, Chelsea continues to contend with high rates of infection. But state statistics suggest another diverse, working class city to the north has surpassed it. By some measure, the city held most tightly in the clutches of COVID-19 is now Lynn.” – “Massachusetts unemployment checks to get $300 boost from feds amid coronavirus crisis,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts unemployment checks will soon get $300 fatter thanks to a federal grant amid the coronavirus crisis, according to the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development on Monday. The Bay State — with the country’s highest unemployment rate — has been approved for the Lost Wages Assistance Grant. This will result in Massachusetts receiving three weeks of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to pay an extra $300 per week in unemployment benefits.” – “Galvin: Mail-in Extension Would Upset General Election Calendar,” by Chris Van Buskirk, State House News Service: “Plaintiffs raised voting rights issues Monday in calling for a 10-day extension of the period allotted for counting mail-in ballots, but the state's top elections official argued the relief sought to count primary ballots would interfere with people's rights to receive general election ballots.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “After School Programs Want To Host Students During Remote Learning Days, But They Can't,” by Kathleen McNerney, WBUR: “Some after-school programs want to open their doors to students during remote learning days, but claim the state needs to give them permission and more funding. The issue is what happens to kids who don't have anywhere to go when classes are online, and may not have an adult who can stay home with them.” | | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| – “Kennedy campaign says it is facing death threats ‘on a near daily basis,’” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “The contentious Senate Democratic primary race took an even nastier turn Monday, with the campaign of Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III contending that Senator Edward J. Markey and his supporters had created a ‘ dangerous’ atmosphere that has contributed to numerous death threats against their candidate.” – “Nancy Pelosi says Joe Kennedy endorsement is ‘consistent’ with her practice of supporting House Democrats,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “During an appearance Sunday morning on CNN, the House speaker defended her decision to endorse Rep. Joe Kennedy III’s campaign to unseat Sen. Ed Markey last week — a move which drew swift criticism from progressive groups and elected officials alleging a ‘ double standard’ given the Democratic congressional leadership’s opposition to primary challengers.” – “Massachusetts Republican Senate candidate Kevin O’Connor discusses candidacy with the Sun,” by Stefan Geller, The Lowell Sun: “As the Massachusetts senate primary election fast approaches, many across the state have directed their focus toward the tight race between incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and his Democratic challenger Rep. Joe Kennedy III. But while Mass. voters have mainly elected Democratic candidates over the past 40 years, attorney Kevin O’Connor is hoping to upend that pattern.” | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Ritchie Torres, Democratic Nominee for NY’s 15th Congressional District Endorses Jesse Mermell,” from the Mermell campaign: “With just one week to go until the September 1st primary, Jesse Mermell picked up a major national endorsement from Democratic Nominee for New York’s 15th Congressional District Ritchie Torres. Torres won a crowded Democratic primary in June and, if elected, would become the first openly gay Black Congressman in the country along with Mondaire Jones.” – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Liss-Riordan supporting Morse, Goldstein and Mermell,” via former Senate candidate Shannon Liss-Riordan: "The cycle of politics in Washington is broken, and fixing that requires new leaders. That is why I am supporting three local candidates for Congress who would be powerhouse progressives that Massachusetts can be proud of: Jesse Mermell, Dr. Robbie Goldstein and Mayor Alex Morse. Jesse, Robbie and Alex give me so much hope for our future, at a time when hope can be in short supply.” – “Experts: It’s going to be a close race in fight for Joe Kennedy’s Congress seat,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “With eight Democratic hopefuls battling to succeed Rep. Joe Kennedy in Congress, less than 20% of the vote could be enough to win. With eight Democratic hopefuls battling to succeed Rep. Joe Kennedy in Congress, less than 20% of the vote could be enough to win. In other words, the party’s nominee for the 4th Congressional District could be someone the vast majority of voters do not support.” – “Boston Doctor Aims To Unseat Longtime Democrat Who Voted Against Obamacare,” by Tara Golshan, HuffPost: “Robbie Goldstein, a congressional candidate in Massachusetts’ 8th Congressional District, feels like he’s doing this elaborate tap dance routine and no one is paying attention. ‘We feel like we’re over here on stage left ... with great costumes, and amazing music and everyone is over on the right saying, ‘I wonder what’s happening in Massachusetts in the 8th Congressional District, we don’t hear anything or see anything,’’ Goldstein, a progressive first-time candidate running to unseat Rep. Stephen Lynch (D), a longtime moderate congressman, said in an interview with HuffPost.” – “Baker-linked PAC backs 13 Dems, 4 Republicans in primary battles,” by Bruce Mohl and Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “A super PAC with ties to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is pouring nearly $94,000 into 17 state primary races involving 13 Democrats and four Republicans. The Massachusetts Majority Political Action Committee is backing 11 Democratic incumbent legislators, one Republican incumbent lawmaker, three GOP candidates running for House seats, and two Democrats running for seats on the Governor’s Council.” – “Attorney General Maura Healey Endorses Terrence Kennedy for Re-Election to the Governor’s Council,” from the Kennedy campaign: “Governor’s Councilor Terrence Kennedy is proud to announce he has received the endorsement of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in his bid for re-election.” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| – “‘Everything is on the table’ as MBTA eyes looming budget crunch,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “With a huge budget deficit looming next summer, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said Monday it will not rule out service cuts, fare hikes, or layoffs as it scrambles to save or raise $400 million over the next two years. Transit officials said they are not projecting riders to return at pre-pandemic levels before the summer of 2022.” | | YOU'VE GOT MAIL |
| – “Dems threaten subpoenas as DeJoy pushes back against attacks,” by Kyle Cheney, POLITICO: “Democrats accused Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Monday of downplaying disruptions to mail delivery that began when he assumed his position in June, threatening to subpoena him for what they say is deliberate withholding of internal decision-making documents. ‘How can one person screw this up in just a few weeks?’ said Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.).” | | THE OPINION PAGES |
| – “Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is committed to policing reforms,” by Springfield City Council President Justin Hurst, Boston Globe: “Over the past few months, there has been a national reckoning around issues of race and policing, with millions taking to the streets to protest the unjust treatment of Black and brown Americans by our broken criminal justice system. Now, for the first time in years, a majority of the public agrees with the need to reform policing.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Ex-City Hall health chief Felix G. Arroyo sues Marty Walsh,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Former City Hall health and human services chief Felix G. Arroyo is suing Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, saying he was wrongfully fired three years ago in the wake of sexual harassment accusations that Arroyo denies. He is alleging that the city’s probe of that matter was ‘a sham from the beginning.’” – “Rollins withdraws motion for higher bail in case involving Bail Fund,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said on Monday that her office is withdrawing a motion seeking a steep increase in bail for a homeless defendant whose original bail was about to be paid by a nonprofit fund. The motion, which CommonWealth reported about on Sunday, sparked sharp criticism from the head of the state office overseeing legal representation for poor defendants.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “GENTLE GIANT," "CHECK'S IN THE MAIL,” — Globe: “Amid pomp, doubts, convention opens," "FDA plasma action may delay research, local experts warn.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Springfield sticking with plan for teachers to work remotely, despite state recommendation to instruct from classroom,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “The city’s superintendent of schools said Monday that Springfield will stick with plans for teachers to stay out of their classrooms this fall despite a state recommendation for educators to provide remote instruction from their schools.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Light turnout for early voting in Bristol County cities so far,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Voters in Bristol County seem a lot more interested in mailing back their primary ballots rather than casting them in person so far. Officials in New Bedford, Fall River and Attleboro all reported relatively light turnout over the weekend during the first two days of an early in-person voting period for the Sept. 1 primary that state lawmakers created due to the coronavirus pandemic.” – “Worcester Board of Health meets with city’s police department to address racism, police bias,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Worcester’s Board of Health met with the Worcester Police Department leadership over Zoom on Monday to discuss a dozen recommendations put forward by health officials pertaining to racism, police bias and discrimination.” – “5th District candidates aim to get economy back on track,” by Geoff Spillane, Cape Cod Times: “Thomas Keyes and Steven Xiarhos want the 5th Barnstable District state representative seat to remain in Republican control, but only one can be the party’s nominee. Keyes, of Sandwich, and Xiarhos, of West Barnstable, will face off in the Sept. 1 Republican primary to determine who will challenge Democrat James Dever in the Nov. 3 general election.” – “Lawrence cracks down on 'bars masquerading as restaurants,'” by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: “Saying it is following guidance from the state, the city’s Licensing Board has begun shutting down bars ‘masquerading as restaurants’ as Gov. Charlie Baker put it during a recent press conference on the spread of COVID-19. Bar owners, meanwhile, say they were surprised by the shutdown, especially since the Licensing Board didn’t even hold a public hearing on revoking their licenses, opting to just show up instead.” – “Newcomer Canavan-Wagner challenges Parisella for state rep,” by Paul Leighton, The Salem News: “In the best of times, the odds of a political newcomer upending an established incumbent can be difficult. Throw in a pandemic and a lockdown, and things really get tricky. That's the prospect facing Ricky Canavan-Wagner, a 29-year-old activist who is running against Beverly state Rep. Jerry Parisella in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary.” TRANSITIONS – The Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School announces its new fellows, who will join the school virtually for the fall semester: Chasten Buttigieg, author and LGBTQ+ advocate; Brittany Packnett Cunningham, founder of Love & Power Works; Carol Giacomo, former member of the New York Times editorial board; Michael Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia; Alice Stewart, Ted Cruz 2016 alum; and Jorge Vasquez Jr., project director of the Power and Democracy Program at Advancement Project. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Maria Nation. 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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