| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. SHOULD LYNCH BE WORRIED? — Rep. Stephen Lynch has been relatively quiet this primary season, opting not to spend the $1.5 million in his campaign war chest on TV or digital ads until the final days of the Democratic primary. The longtime lawmaker just placed a $25,000 ad buy on cable TV for the days leading up to the Sept. 1 primary, according to Advertising Analytics, which tracks television ads. Lynch also started spending money on Facebook ads last week for the first time this cycle. He's spent $4,300 over the last seven days, according to the social media giant. The congressman has sent campaign mail to voters, according to an aide. The South Boston congressman is facing a primary challenge from the left by Dr. Robbie Goldstein, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. The primary has taken a backseat to the blockbuster race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III, as well as the contest between Rep. Richard Neal and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, which has drawn national attention in recent weeks. But it's a race progressive groups — like Andrew Yang's Humanity Forward and Our Revolution, the spinoff of Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign — are eyeing as an opportunity to knock out a moderate Democrat. Goldstein has less campaign cash in the bank, but he's outspent Lynch on the airwaves. Goldstein has spent $52,000 on TV ads and an additional $23,000 on Facebook ads this year. A super PAC plans to spend $60,000 on digital ads to support him. Lynch's digital ads highlight his background as an iron worker who "has never forgotten where he came from." The ads also slam the president, saying Lynch is "fighting to save the post office from Donald Trump." Goldstein's ads suggest it's time for new leadership in Washington and highlight the candidates' differences on health care issues, like Medicare for All and abortion. HAPPENING TODAY: Politics During the Pandemic — UMass Amherst pollsters Tatishe Nteta and Jesse Rhodes will discuss polling and the upcoming elections with yours truly at a webinar hosted by the UMass Amherst College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The virtual event is free and starts at 5:30 p.m. I hope you’ll join us! Register here. 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 holds a Covid-19 media availability at City Hall. Rep. Joe Kennedy III holds a virtual rally with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Marc Veasey, and Emanuel Cleaver. Kennedy is endorsed by Angela Menino, wife of the late Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Rep. Jim McGovern embarks on his 10th annual farm tour. Candidate for congress Jesse Mermell discusses the opioid epidemic with Attorney General Maura Healey and former rival Dave Cavell. Sen. Ed Markey campaigns in Boston. | |
| | PLUG IN WITH PLAYBOOK FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK MEADOWS ON DAY THREE OF THE RNC, TODAY AT 9 a.m. EDT: Join POLITICO Playbook co-authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman for the latest “Plug In with Playbook,” episode featuring White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on the third day of the GOP Convention. Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Watch it live here. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 12 new COVID-19 deaths, 349 new cases Tuesday; ‘Hospitals are handling patients with no issues,’ Gov. Baker says,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials on Tuesday announced another 12 coronavirus deaths, bringing the statewide death count to 8,729. Officials also confirmed another 349 cases of COVID-19, for a total now of at least 116,770 across Massachusetts.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Shop Locally This Sales-Tax Free Weekend, Baker says,” by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: “Massachusetts wants its residents to shop locally when the 6.25 percent sales tax is suspended for this weekend. Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday the state is spending $2 million to advertise the sales-tax-free weekend and encourage shoppers and travelers to patronize local shops and destinations for the rest of the year to boost retailers and restaurants hurt by the pandemic, as well as to cut down on travel.” – “Building political power: Elected municipal officials create statewide caucus to fight racism,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “Several minority municipal officials in Massachusetts have created a new statewide coalition with the mission of building political power in Black and Latino communities and dismantling racism. Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez is one of the founders and members of the steering committee, known as the ‘Black and Latinx Municipal Caucus.’” – “Massachusetts businesses grapple with reopening, online competition during COVID-19 pandemic, retail leader says,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced an ad campaign to encourage local shopping, a line formed outside the WheelWorks in Belmont of cyclists waiting for repairs or curbside pickup. Despite the stories of businesses that have allegedly violated the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions, Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst said the line he saw walking into the Belmont bike shop was a lot more common than one would think despite the state’s reopening during the pandemic.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Biogen conference likely led to 20,000 COVID-19 cases in Boston area, researchers say,” by Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe: “An international meeting of Biogen leaders at a Boston hotel in February led to roughly 20,000 cases of COVID-19 in four Massachusetts counties by early May, far more than the 99 previously identified, according to three scientists involved in a new study.” – “Most Residential Addiction Treatment Programs Don’t Offer Live-Saving Medication,” by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: “Patients seeking treatment for an opioid addiction have limited access to a life-saving medication, buprenorphine, in residential treatment facilities across the U.S. Research published in JAMA finds that 29% of 368 programs contacted offer the drug that helps reduce cravings for heroin or fentanyl.” | | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Charles Booker, Former Senate Candidate in Kentucky, Endorses Ed Markey for U.S. Senate,” from the Markey campaign: “Charles Booker, the Kentucky state representative (KY-43) and former candidate for U.S. Senate, today endorsed Ed Markey for re-election to the United States Senate. ‘Come 2021, we’re going to take our power back, and we’re going to take our future back,’ Charles Booker said.” – “Kennedy-Markey race is getting down to the wire,” by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts has seen close US Senate races, not-so-close races, even the rare major upset. But there is no recent parallel to the roll in the mud that is Kennedy-Markey. From the outset, Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III has been beset by charges that his primary run against Senator Edward Markey was a vanity campaign, pitting two politicians with very few substantive differences.” – “Cellucci’s daughter, grandson cut ad for Markey,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “Ed Markey’s Senate primary battle is getting a big boost from an army of young activists, some of whom are convincing their parents to join the youth-fueled ‘Markeyverse.’ Now the campaign is trumpeting the intergenerational backing it has from a surprising source: The daughter and grandson of late Republican governor Paul Cellucci.” – “Joe Kennedy III On Why He Thinks He Should Be Your Next Senator,” by Bob Oakes and Wilder Fleming, WBUR: “It’s the final week before the Massachusetts primary, and the final days in a tight Senate race between U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III and incumbent Sen. Ed Markey. WBUR's Morning Edition host Bob Oakes caught up with Kennedy this week via Zoom — en route to a campaign event in Worcester — to hear his final pitch to voters.” – “Former Vice President Al Gore backs Sen. Ed Markey in heated Massachusetts Senate primary,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Former Vice President Al Gore on Tuesday endorsed Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a fellow environmental champion embroiled in a U.S. Senate primary against challenger Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Gore, Bill Clinton’s vice president and a longtime environmentalist, said in a video posted by the Markey campaign that the U.S. needs the leadership of his friend Markey ‘in the U.S. Senate now more than ever.’” – “In new letter, some Democrats — including many Kennedy supporters — ask Markey to denounce nastiness,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “A group of nearly 50 notable Massachusetts figures across politics, business, and philanthropy — many supporters of Joseph P. Kennedy III — on Tuesday urged Senate Edward J. Markey and his campaign manager, John Walsh, to ‘publicly and clearly denounce the hateful conduct and speech’ directed at Markey’s opponent in the Senate Democratic primary.” – “South Shore businessman enters U.S. Senate race,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “A South Shore businessman is wading into the battle for the state’s junior Senate seat, launching a ‘bumper sticker’ campaign rooted in fiscal conservatism as a counterweight to the big-name Democrats pushing progressive policies with trillion-dollar price tags. Ed Mazzuchelli, a Kingston independent who owns the Train 4 Life gym in Marshfield, announced his write-in campaign for the November general election on Tuesday.” – “Vermin Supreme Explains Why He's Suddenly Running for Senate in Mass.” NBC10: “A familiar candidate with a boot for a hat has entered the Massachusetts Senate primaries. Vermin Supreme explains why he’s campaigning as a write-in candidate, as well as his thoughts on Kanye West’s presidential bid.” | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Former Franklin State Representative, Majority Leader James Vallee Endorses Becky Grossman,” from the Grossman campaign: “Today, Becky Grossman’s campaign announced the endorsement of former MA House Majority Leader James Vallee. Vallee represented Franklin and Medway on Beacon Hill, and he joins 10 other current and former MA legislators in endorsing Grossman’s bid to replace Joe Kennedy, III.” – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “7 State Representatives and State Senators Endorse Erika Uyterhoeven for State Representative,” from the Uyterhoeven campaign: “Massachusetts elected officials have lined up to support Erika in the race for the 27th Middlesex district, seeing her as the clear choice and a needed vocal advocate for progressive change in Massachusetts. Erika has been endorsed by state Sens. Rebecca Rausch, Jamie Eldridge, Jack Patrick Lewis, state Reps. Maria Robinson, Lindsay Sabadosa, Patrick Kearney, and former Rep. Jay Kaufman.” – “Michael Dukakis and Barney Frank defend 4th District candidate against ‘uninformed’ attack,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “During a Democratic primary debate last week in the race to succeed Rep. Joe Kennedy III in Congress, candidate Alan Khazei repeatedly tried and failed to get any of his opponents to denounce a recent super PAC ad attacking his record on reproductive rights. So his campaign is bringing in some heavy hitters — at least as far as local Massachusetts politics goes.” – “Always a traffic jam, candidates in the race for Fourth now colliding as primary day looms,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Four of the eight Democrats vying for the Fourth Congressional District nomination faced a straight-forward question in a Zoom debate last week: Should Congress restore the additional $600 in unemployment aide that expired in July ?” | | THE WILD WEST |
| – “Confronting a Powerful Democrat, Ocasio-Cortez Supports Morse,” by Emily Cochrane, The New York Times: “Taking on one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday used her political action committee to endorse Alex Morse, the small-city mayor who is challenging Representative Richard E. Neal, Democrat of Massachusetts and the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee – “Neal, Morse still gaining donations in primary fight,” by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “With less than a week until election day, campaign cash continues to flow into the 1st Congressional District, where Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, in the Democratic primary.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “‘Monster’ former Boston Police union boss arraigned on 4 new child abuse charges,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Former Boston Police union boss Patrick Rose described himself as a ‘monster,’ according to prosecutors who now have filed four new sets of child sexual abuse charges against the man already accused of child rape. Rose, the 66-year-old former president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, wiped away tears as prosecutor Audrey Mark read horrifying allegations against him from four new accusers.” – “Suffolk DA Rollins moving away from high cash bail to hold potentially dangerous defendants,” by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: “ Rollins is changing her office’s approach to defendants that prosecutors believe are too dangerous to be free while they await trial. As the financially flush Bail Fund increasingly pays to free people facing high bail, Rollins said her office will more frequently ask a judge to hold a special hearing to determine whether defendants charged with certain violent crimes are too dangerous for release.” | | TRUMPACHUSETTS |
| – “No GOP Convention For Republican Charlie Baker,” by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, is sitting out this week's GOP national convention. Asked if he'd take part in the convention as it nominates President Donald Trump for a second term, Baker said he hadn't been invited. Baker, however, was unfazed.” | | THE PRESSLEY PARTY |
| – “Why Ayanna Pressley's Take Down of the Postmaster General Is So, So Satisfying,” by Kathleen Walsh, InStyle: “‘While some of our colleagues might use this hearing to continue to gaslight and mislead our constituents, I am here to get to the truth. The American people deserve that.’ This was Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s opening salvo in her questioning of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy during Monday’s hearings.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “SUPERSPREADER," MIA AT RNC,” — Globe : “Biogen conference tied to 20,000 virus cases," "On second night, GOP looks to Trump's family.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “South Shore residents take advantage of mail-in, early primary voting,” by Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger: “Thousands of South Shore residents have already taken advantage of in-person early voting for next week’s primary election and tens of thousands have requested and returned mail-in ballots. Most towns are on track to surpass voter turnout in previous state primaries, something town clerks say they expected.” – “Worcester schools’ plan targets busing, salary cuts to make up projected $15.5m deficit,” by Scott O’Connell, Telegram & Gazette: “Faced with a potential $15.5 million hole for the current fiscal year, the School Department has submitted a list of budget cuts for the School Committee’s consideration at its meeting this Thursday. The projected deficit is based on the state’s exclusion in its budget plans of the phase-in of the first year of the new Student Opportunity Act.” – “Mashpee selectmen drop proposed police proclamation,” by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times: “The Board of Selectmen voted Monday to table the proposed proclamation to support the Mashpee Police Department. Selectmen Chairman John Cotton had proposed the proclamation at the board’s meeting Aug. 10 in light of recent national discussions about police reforms. He wanted to reassure the department that the town had no intentions of defunding it.” – “Two coronavirus cases linked to Aug. 17 beach party on Nantucket, health director says ‘now is not the time to let our guard down,’” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Two recent coronavirus cases on Nantucket have been linked to an Aug. 17 beach party on the island attended by ‘many locals,’ town Health and Human Services Director Roberto Santamaria said Monday. Santamaria confirmed the cases in a video address posted to his agency’s Twitter feed.” | | MEDIA MATTERS |
| – “WBZ is making some changes to its news shows,” by Kevin Slane, Boston.com: “If you’re a regular viewer of WBZ-TV’s news broadcasts, expect to see some changes this week. The station announced that two current employees moved into new roles on Monday, and a brand-new face will join the station as a meteorologist.” – “Newspaper endorsements becoming scarce,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Political endorsements, once considered part of every newspaper’s job description, are becoming a rarity. In Massachusetts, we’re one week away from primary day and many people have already voted by mail. Yet a search of newspaper websites indicates most publications haven’t endorsed anyone in their coverage areas.” MAZEL! to Michael Dsida, deputy chief counsel for the Committee of Public Counsel Services’ children and family law division, who won the National Association of Counsel for Children’s Outstanding Legal Advocate Award (h/t Bob McGovern). 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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