| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! PELOSI BACKS KENNEDY — The endorsement that rocked #mapoli on Thursday came from California. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Rep. Joe Kennedy III in his primary challenge to Sen. Ed Markey. The nod comes just as many voters are casting their ballots by mail, and it caught many Bay State political watchers by surprise. Pelosi's decision to enter into the primary carries some political risk — both campaigns acknowledge a tight race ahead of the Sept. 1 primary. But the Speaker felt compelled, an aide told my POLITICO colleagues, partly due to Markey's knocks on the Kennedy family. Markey's strategy of throwing shade at the Kennedys, in debates, on social media and even on T-shirts, has helped him narrow a double-digit polling gap. But pushing Pelosi to put her thumb on the scale may be a sign he's gone a little too far. The Kennedy campaign raised $100,000 from Pelosi's endorsement on Thursday, much of it from small-dollar donations. Kennedy is also leaning into his famous family’s legacy in a new television ad, something he’d shied away from earlier in the race. Pelosi’s move frustrated progressives, particularly because the party, through the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, blacklists vendors who work with primary challengers. Kennedy is the primary challenger in this race, so Pelosi’s endorsement broke with that policy. Markey was quick to issue a statement congratulating Kennedy on the endorsement, though it was a snub to the Malden Democrat, who served with Pelosi in the House for a quarter century. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of Markey’s best-known endorsers, slammed the blacklist as "less a policy and more a cherry-picking activity" in response to Pelosi's endorsement. Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, also supporting Markey, tweeted that she was “ChapSTICKIN’ WITH ED,” an apparent reference to Kennedy’s rebuttal to the 2018 State of the Union. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who ousted longtime Rep. Michael Capuano in 2018 and is neutral in this primary, simply tweeted a gif. MASK ENFORCEMENT AN ISSUE IN 4TH DISTRICT RACE — Two Newton city councilors running for Congress are trading jabs this morning over face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic. Becky Grossman is slamming Jake Auchincloss as being "more in line with Republicans" when it comes to his stance on masks, but Auchincloss says his fellow councilor is making a "desperate attack" on him. Both candidates are running in a crowded primary to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, and recent polling shows them in the top tier of a close race. Grossman says statements in a new Auchincloss ad are at odds with his past comments on Covid-19. “As a mom, I am deeply concerned about Jake Auchincloss’ misleading claims. In an ad today, he claims he’ll follow scientists. But, in reality, he opposes mask requirements like the one Vice President Biden proposed last week. Opposition to mask requirements is yet another way that Jake is more in line with Republicans than Democrats.” Democratic nominee Joe Biden has proposed a three-month mask mandate to curb the spread of the virus. As cities and towns weighed how to enforce face masks to curb the spread of Covid-19, Auchincloss said in May that he was "really uncomfortable with the idea of the police department issuing a citation or otherwise enforcing what somebody can wear on their body,” and that type of enforcement may conflict with the First Amendment. Auchincloss says his view has less to do with masks, and more to do with the police. "This is a desperate attack from the Grossman camp on an issue that shouldn't be politicized. Jake has always supported requiring people wear masks to protect public health," said Auchincloss spokesperson Yael Sheinfeld. "In this instance, he was expressing concern about police fining residents for non-compliance, which has proven to be racially biased in its implementation." Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius are guests on WGBH’s “Boston Public Radio.” Rep. Joe Kennedy III wraps up a 24-hour campaign swing. | |
| | POLITICO'S "FUTURE PULSE" - THE COLLISION OF HEALTH CARE AND TECHNOLOGY: The coronavirus upended trends across health care, like so much else in America, casting players in new roles and reordering workers' priorities. It has positioned drug companies as potential heroes, sparked a massive infusion of new capital into the sector, and changed how planners see the future of hospitals. The health care system that emerges from this crisis will be fundamentally different, and technology will play a significant role in shaping it. Future Pulse spotlights the politics, policies, and technologies driving long-term change on the most personal issue for voters: Our health. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 12 new COVID deaths, 262 cases on Thursday as state surpasses 2 million tests,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials announced another 12 new coronavirus deaths on Thursday, bringing the statewide death count to 8,657 since the pandemic began. Officials also confirmed another 262 cases of COVID-19, for a total now of at least 115,310 cases across the state.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Baker says 16 communities have moved from moderate to low risk for COVID-19,” by Travis Andersen and Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday said that 16 Massachusetts communities have moved from moderate to low risk for coronavirus as the fight to contain the deadly contagion continues. ‘That’s a move in the right direction and it’s good to see,’ Baker said during his regular State House press conference.” – “Will Massachusetts schools screen students for COVID-19? If there are transmissions, yes, state officials say,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Will Massachusetts public schools have access to COVID-19 testing for their staff and students? If there’s evidence of transmissions, yes. Massachusetts health officials plan to deploy mobile response teams to roll out a rapid response testing program to schools that meet certain criteria, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday afternoon during a news briefing at the Massachusetts State House.” – “Amid COVID pandemic, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says flu shot requirement aims to help control hospital admissions,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he’s not concerned about the possible increase of exemptions to the new influenza shot requirement for students. More exemptions are likely just as more people overall will get their children vaccinated under the requirement announced earlier this week, Gov. Charlie Baker said.” – “‘This is a very slippery slope;’ some Massachusetts residents say flu shot requirement for students wrongfully takes choice away from families,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “Jennifer Gaskin of Worcester said her whole family gets the flu vaccine annually. Though she describes herself as pro-vaccination, Gaskin feels a mandate announced by Massachusetts health officials this week requiring nearly all students to receive a flu shot before the end of the year is morally wrong and called the decision a ‘slippery slope.’” – “Massachusetts communities add more than 190 vote-by-mail drop boxes for applications, ballots ahead of Sept. 1 primary,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts communities have set up close to 200 drop boxes for voters to submit their vote-by-mail applications and ballots, Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin said Thursday.” – “Senior living complexes caught in COVID-19 limbo,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Springhouse Senior Living in Boston offers older adults three options: independent living for those able to stay in their own apartments, assisted living for those who need additional help, and memory units for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The three different living options are all located in the same building and have a lot in common.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “MGH Study: Kids Have Higher Levels Of Coronavirus In Airways Than Adults,” by Lisa Mullins and Lynn Jolicoeur, WBUR: “Many schools in Massachusetts are getting set to reopen next month. Educators and parents are on edge about the big unknown: how much the coronavirus will spread in schools. Since the beginning of the pandemic, it's been said that the virus doesn't affect children nearly as much as adults — that kids, for the most part, don't get as sick and don't transmit the virus as easily.” – “Boston firefighter’s union Local 718 makes history with election of new president,” by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: “When John R. Soares formally becomes the president of Local 718 Thursday night, the union that represents Boston firefighters will make history: For the first time, the 78-year-old labor organization will be led by a person of color. Soares is a lieutenant assigned to Ladder 7 in Dorchester and a 22-year veteran of the city department that has drawn criticism for the paucity of women and people of color among its firefighter and officer ranks, both of which are represented by Local 718.” | | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| – “‘Join Joe on the Road’: Kennedy kicks off 24-hour campaign tour in Southeastern Mass.” by Melanie DaSilva, WPRI: “Congressman Joe Kennedy III is barnstorming across Massachusetts on the campaign trail Thursday. Kennedy kicked off his 24-hour day at 4:30 a.m., meeting with fishermen in New Bedford, and will conclude the tour Friday morning meeting with fishermen in Gloucester.” – “Markey touts experience as local pols offer endorsements on Worcester Common,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey touted his experience and track record during a campaign stop in Worcester Thursday in which he listed education and prevention as keys to addressing the spike in gang violence the city has seen this summer.” | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: ““Teamsters Local 25 Endorses Jake Auchincloss for U.S. Congress,” from the Auchincloss campaign: “Teamsters Local 25, on behalf of its 12,000 members, is honored to endorse Jake Auchincloss for U.S. Representative in the Fourth Massachusetts Congressional District Democratic primary. Auchincloss, a Newton City Councilor and former U.S. Marine Corps captain, earned this support for his commitment to protect and strengthen worker pensions.” – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "Alan Khazei announces two Raynham Select Board endorsements and Newton for Khazei,” from the Khazei campaign: “Five-term Raynham Selectman Joe Pacheco and Selectman Richard Schiavo join over 50 endorsements from local business leaders, elected officials, parents, educators, and other citizens from Newton in endorsing Alan Khazei's Campaign for Congress" – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Sheldon Glashow Endorses Dr. Natalia Linos in Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District,” from the Linos campaign: “Today, Nobel Prize-winning American theoretical physicist and Brookline resident Dr. Sheldon Glashow announced his endorsement of Dr. Natalia Linos to represent Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District. Dr. Glashow was the Metcalf Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Boston University and Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics at Harvard University.” – “Sen. Feeney backs Jesse Mermell in tight race for Kennedy’s seat,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Democrat Jesse Mermell has snagged one of the last big endorsements still to be won in the southern half of Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District. State Sen. Paul Feeney, a Foxboro Democrat, announced Thursday he is throwing his support behind Mermell in the eight-way Democratic primary to succeed Congressman Joe Kennedy.” – “Jesse Mermell takes fire — and doles it out — during 4th District debate,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Jesse Mermell is claiming ‘momentum’ in the muddled Democratic primary race to succeed Rep. Joe Kennedy III in Congress. Even as a new poll out Wednesday shows the top six 4th District candidates in a statistical tie with nearly half of voters undecided, Mermell entered the final two weeks of the eight-way race on the heels of endorsements from former opponent Dave Cavell and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.” | | MOULTON MATTERS |
| – “Once an insurgent, Seth Moulton carries a different title in his latest fight: incumbent,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “It’s a Sunday night in early August, and Representative Seth Moulton is sitting inside Nahant’s nearly empty town hall explaining why he ran for president. Of how he wanted to tell his 22-month-old daughter he did everything he could to defeat Donald Trump. Of how he had cache as the only combat veteran running. Of how . . .” | | THE WILD WEST |
| – “Neal, Morse tangle in second debate about tone of campaign, commitment to district,” by Ray Kelly, Springfield Republican: “U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and his challenger, Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse, traded barbs Thursday night in their second and final debate before the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. The two men tangled about issues ranging from the tone of the campaign for the congressional seat to a suitable economic relief package during the COVID-19 pandemic.” – “5 Pittsfield city councilors announce they support Alex Morse over Richard Neal in 1st Massachusetts congressional race,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “Five members of the Pittsfield City Council this week publicly announced their support for Alex B. Morse over incumbent Richard E. Neal for the 1st Mass. Congressional seat. The endorsements by City Council President Pete Marchetti, and councilors Helen Moon, Earl Persip, Pete White, and Anthony Maffucio, combined with previous endorsements of Patrick Kavey, Dina Guiel Lampiasi, and Yuki Cohen, means that eight of the 11 Pittsfield city councilors endorse Morse.” – “Can Richard Neal avoid the same fate as Eliot Engel?” by Matthew Kassel, Jewish Insider: “With less than two weeks remaining until Massachusetts’s primary election on September 1, Democratic Majority for Israel is pouring more than $100,000 into advertising against Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, a young progressive challenger running against longtime incumbent Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) in the state’s 1st congressional district.” – “Effort To Spread Alex Morse Accusations Was Wider Than Previously Known,” by Eoin Higgins, Daniel Boguslaw and Ryan Grim, The Intercept: “A concerted effort to ensure allegations of misconduct against Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, who is vying for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Massachusetts’s 1st Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Richard Neal, was more extensive than has previously been reported, targeting progressive organizations that had endorsed the primary insurgent as well as journalists for months before the claims finally landed in a college newspaper earlier this month.” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| – “A Blue Line car for bikes? Lydia Edwards floats the idea to help cyclists cross the harbor,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “No matter how many bicycle lanes or Bluebikes stations come to East Boston, the neighborhood still has one major cycling barrier: Boston Harbor. Aside from a wildly roundabout route through Chelsea, Everett, and Charlestown, it is just about impossible for bikers to get downtown.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Barr: Feds to appeal ruling, seek death for Boston bomber,” by Michael Balsamo and Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press: “The Justice Department will seek to reinstate a death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the man who was convicted of carrying out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Attorney General William Barr said Thursday.” – “‘I don’t represent rats’: Attorney for Springfield mob associate asks for unusual redress,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “An attorney for a Springfield mob associate has made an unusual request of the federal government: Tell the public his client is not an informant. In the charged world of organized crime, this is a particularly damaging label.” | | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| – “This Mass. city has more cannabis licenses than any other in the state,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: “Once upon a time, Worcester had been forecast to be the cannabis capital of Massachusetts, as its number of licenses grew. The state's industry regulators even moved their headquarters from Boston to the state's second largest city. But now, a different city an hour's drive west of Worcester — and 90 minutes from Boston — is the new leader in terms of the number of completed license applications.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “CHARITY CASE," "BIDEN'S BUNCH," "PARTY ANIMALS,” — Globe: “Biden completes nomination quest,” “US again seeks death penalty for Tsarnaev.” | | YOU'VE GOT MAIL |
| – “AG Healey arguing both sides of mail-in ballot issues,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Days after Maura Healey promised to ‘make sure each and every vote is counted’ as she sued the Trump administration over changes to the U.S. Postal Service that have triggered nationwide mail delays, the state attorney general’s office is mounting a defense on the other side of the issue.” – “Rep. Richard Neal says Trump deliberately slowing down US Postal Service to interfere with mail-in voting,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “Two days before the U.S. House of Representatives is supposed to reconvene to act on a bill to prevent a reduction of postal services, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said cuts in mail delivery are a ‘deliberate effort’ by the Trump administration to interfere with mail-in voting measures prior to the November election.” – “Delivering mail on time ‘part of our identity’: Postal workers weigh in on USPS controversy,” by Steve Pfarrer, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “In some 34 years of working for the U.S. Postal Service, Neil Hofrichter says he’s never seen anything like it. Hofrichter is one of a number of veteran local postal service workers who in recent weeks have been following the twists and turns of the controversial decisions made last month by U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, which DeJoy said were aimed at cutting Postal Service costs.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Brockton mayor cracking down on large gatherings in effort to combat coronavirus,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan is cracking down on large gatherings in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 in his city. ‘I’ve told the parks commissioner not to give any more permits’ for outdoor gatherings, Sullivan said in a video address posted last Friday to the city’s official Facebook page.” – “Summit: Cape Cod may become even less affordable,” by Doug Fraser, Cape Cod Times: “Economic collapse, hot real estate market a bad combination, housing advocates warn. It’s a tale of two markets, says Ryan Castle, CEO of the Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors. Like the restaurant and tourism industries, the real estate market took a big hit as the economy shut down this spring to stem the progress of COVID-19.” – “Criminal cases against three Tewksbury officials active, ongoing,” by Stefan Geller and Emma Murphy, The Lowell Sun: “Over the past year, Tewksbury has seen three prominent officials charged with separate crimes: drunk driving, trespassing and animal cruelty. Here are latest details for each of their cases.” Senior Center Director Nicole Hutcheon was charged with three counts of animal cruelty and one count of witness intimidation in May, after allegedly failing to care for multiple dogs in her custody. The charges came after an agency that fosters dogs in the area asked Tewksbury Animal Control to conduct a well-being check on a German shepherd Hutcheon was fostering for the agency, according to a press release from the Middlesex DA’s office. An investigation determined two German shepherds died while allegedly in Hutcheon’s care – the shepherd which Hutcheon was fostering for the agency, and another that Hutcheon had adopted, the press release said. The dog Hutcheon was fostering died of starvation and Hutcheon did not report its death. Hutcheon also allegedly tried to hide the remains of the dog she adopted. Investigators also found a German shepherd puppy in the house that appeared underweight, the release said. Hutcheon was released on personal recognizance and ordered not to adopt any new animals. She was also placed on an unpaid leave of absence until further notice, according to Town Manager Richard Montuori. She is scheduled to appear in court for a compliance hearing on Aug. 26, according to the Middlesex DA’s office.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Brendan Kennedy, Sara Seinberg, Cheryl Chen, Joe Mathieu, anchor of WGBH’s “Morning Edition”; Jana Winter, 2018-2019 Boston Globe Spotlight fellow and Yahoo contributor; Kelley Vickery, Amy Dow, director of public relations and government affairs at New Balance; David A. Heifetz and Kelley Vickery. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers Alvin Buyinza, Greg Shanahan and Margie Berkowitz. And to Sunday birthday-ers Springfield state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, Everett state Rep. Joe McGonagle, Joshua Ostroff, George Schadler, Dianne Bagley Smith, Shelley Long (the actress who played ‘Diane Chambers’ in Cheers), Robert Solow and Yanisa Techagumthorn, Sunrise Boston's political lead (h/t Scott Gilman). NEW EPISODE OF THE HORSE RACE: RUN DNC – On this week's episode of The Horse Race Podcast, strategists Alex Goldstein, Wilnelia Rivera and Katherine Adam discuss the Democratic National Convention. 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. | |
| | INTRODUCING POLITICO MINUTES: An unprecedented campaign season demands an unconventional approach to news coverage. POLITICO Minutes is a new, interactive content experience that reveals the top takeaways you need to know in an easy-to-digest, swipeable format delivered straight to your inbox. Get a breakdown of what's been learned so far, why it matters, and what to watch for going forward. Sign up for POLITICO Minutes, launching at the 2020 Conventions. | | | | | | |
|
| | 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 | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters | FOLLOW US | | |
| |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.