| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. It’s the first day of September! PROGRAMMING NOTE: It’s primary day! Massachusetts Playbook will look a little different this week. Consider this a peek inside my reporter’s notebook for the Sept. 1 primary. Send your tips, links and birthdays to smurray@politico.com. PRIMARY DAY IS HERE — Today's election is a test of power in the Democratic Party's progressive wing. The left has a strategy to unseat establishment incumbents — think Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, or more recent insurgent winners, Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush. Tthe next target is House Ways and Means chairman Richard Neal, who is facing challenger Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse. But this primary is also a test of whether progressive groups can flip their playbook and protect an incumbent from a primary challenger. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III both hold liberal policy positions and have liberal endorsements, but the left wing of the party — Ocasio-Cortez, the Sunrise Movement, and Our Revolution, for example — have rallied around Markey as their preferred candidate. Knocking out an incumbent is one thing, but tonight will show whether the left is able to protect its preferred candidates as well, as Markey tries to fend off Kennedy, a well-liked and well-financed foe with a beloved last name. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Polls are open for the statewide primary from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sen. Ed Markey meets with voters in Boston and Springfield. Rep. Joe Kennedy III campaigns in West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Dorchester, Grove Hall, Worcester, Fall River, New Bedford and Nubian Square. Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse campaigns across the 1st District and appears as a gust on WBUR. Rep. Richard Neal campaigns in Springfield and Pittsfield. |  | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| – WHERE THEY'LL BE TONIGHT — Regardless of the end result, it’s safe to say neither Sen. Ed Markey nor Rep. Joe Kennedy III expected primary night to look this way. Candidates typically await election results at a crowded party with supporters and staff. Tonight, that gathering will be limited to a livestream due to the pandemic. Kennedy will deliver a speech outside his Watertown campaign headquarters. The time of the speech is to be determined, and it will be livestreamed to his social channels for supporters. Markey will speak at the Malden Public Library, where he studied when he was a student at Boston College. The press-only event will also be livestreamed for supporters. – WHERE THEY WERE LAST NIGHT — Markey and Kennedy made their final pitches to voters at a pair of rallies in Boston on Monday night. Markey hosted a drive-in rally, where supporters drew on their car windshields in green paint and honked in place of applause. The senator doubled down on his line that went viral earlier this month, which flipped a famous line from President John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech on its head. "I think it is right that we ask at this point in time, what can your country do for you? What can your country do for your family?" Markey said from the bed of a pickup truck. "These families have worked hard. These families have struggled and they deserve justice for their families." And Rep. Joe Kennedy III rallied his supporters from the trailer of an 18-wheel truck at the IBEW 103 parking lot in Dorchester. Mask-wearing supporters held signs and snapped photos until almost 10 p.m. "I have been asked time and time again why I am running for the United States Senate. I have never been asked that question in Lawrence, Massachusetts," Kennedy said, listing cities he's visited on the trail. "You know why? Because they know. Because they see it every day. Because they know what is at stake. And they know what we can do." – CANDIDATE TRAVEL TRACKER — The pressure is on to rack up in-person votes in the Democratic primary battle between Rep. Joe Kennedy III and Sen. Ed Markey. Down in the polls, Kennedy insists his strength lies with voters of color in cities where fewer people opted to vote by mail, compared to the suburbs. Campaign travel records give a glimpse of where Markey and Kennedy see their voting bases. My excellent POLITICO colleague Tamar Barsamian analyzed the candidates’ daily travel schedules from Aug. 14 to Sept. 1. The candidates have made a combined 155 campaign stops over the last several weeks. Markey visited a number of higher-income areas where Kennedy did not travel, including Longmeadow, Arlington, Hingham and Melrose. But Markey is not ceding in-person voters in the cities to his opponent. Both candidates made stops in Boston, Lowell, Springfield, Worcester and Holyoke. Kennedy has been focused on cities with voters of color who are expected to turn out in person on Tuesday. Kennedy went to Worcester four times in the span of two weeks, he visited Springfield twice, made four stops in Brockton and visited Dorchester five separate times in the days leading up to the primary. And today, his final push will take him to West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Dorchester, Grove Hall, Worcester, Fall River, New Bedford and Nubian Square. | | THE NATIONAL TAKE |
| – “In Massachusetts, Markey Outflanks Kennedy by Running as Bold Insurgent,” by Jonathan Martin, The New York Times: “Stepping out of the rain on a dreary Saturday morning, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III made no attempt to hide his frustration as he raced from neighborhood to neighborhood in a city as synonymous with his family as it is with the Green Monster. Mr. Kennedy is trailing Senator Edward J. Markey in every poll ahead of the Senate primary on Tuesday, and may become the first Kennedy to lose a race in Massachusetts.” | | YOU'VE GOT MAIL |
| – “Record high turnout expected during Massachusetts Sept. 1 primary due to mail-in voting,” by Michelle Williams and Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Tuesday’s primary is expected to draw a record number of voters with a significant portion of people casting their ballots by mail for the first time in a Massachusetts primary. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin projects more than 1.2 million and as many as 1.3 million people will cast Democratic ballots on Tuesday and 150,000 people will cast Republican ballots.” – “Polling places expect low turnout and many mail-in ballots,” by Amanda Burke, The Berkshire Eagle: “Following a flood of vote-by-mail ballots and voters stopping by the polls early to cast ballots in-person, some Berkshire city and town clerks are expecting low-key scenes at their local polling places for Tuesday's primary election.” – “Worcester voter turnout at about 14% before primary day,” by Nick Kotsopoulos, Telegram & Gazette: “Foot traffic at the city’s 50 polling places for Tuesday’s state primary is shaping up to be much lighter than usual, as roughly 14% of Worcester’s registered voters have already cast their ballots either through absentee or mail-in ballots, or early voting in person. That is greater than the total voter turnout for each of the last two state primaries, in 2018 and 2016, and about the same percentage turnout for the primary in 2014.” – “In Massachusetts, An Unprecedented Primary Day Awaits,” by Adam Reilly, WGBH News: “While it’s always tempting to see the current historical moment as unusually dramatic, the 2020 Massachusetts Primary Election really does stand out. After all, in the midst of a devastating pandemic that’s transformed the way we vote, the state’s political establishment is being challenged to an extent unprecedented in recent memory, and possibly ever.” – “Candidates barrel toward a primary election where nearly 1 million voters have already cast a ballot,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “On the eve of an unprecedented primary, masked candidates bounded around Massachusetts on Monday with their political futures at stake. They chomped on hot dogs in Worcester, danced with supporters in Brookline, or knocked doors in Springfield, each closing in on the final events of a bruising campaign.” | | HOUSE RACES TO WATCH |
| MA-01 — Progressives have focused much of their energy on the race between Rep. Richard Neal and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse . National attention shifted to the contest after Morse was hit by a politically motivated smear, and polling shows this is the tightest primary Neal has faced in decades. Morse has the backing of the Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement, while Neal is supported by the American Working Families super PAC. It's a costly race — Neal and the super PACs supporting him have spent around $2.5 million on TV ads, according to Advertising Analytics, while Morse and the outside groups who support him have spent more than $1.5 million. As results come in tonight, keep an eye on the three big cities here: Springfield, Holyoke and Pittsfield. MA-04 — For the crowded field of Democrats running to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, it's been a challenge to break through the noise amid a global pandemic and a blockbuster statewide primary. But an open House seat is a rare occurrence in Massachusetts, meaning a seven-candidate lineup isn’t that unusual. On the ballot are Jake Auchincloss, Jesse Mermell, Becky Grossman, Alan Khazei, Ihssane Leckey, Dr. Natalia Linos and Ben Sigel. The candidates, and super PACs supporting them, have spent a whopping $4.4 million on TV ads this cycle, according to Advertising Analytics. All of the candidates hail from Newton or Brookline, meaning support from voters in the southern part of the district may determine the race. MA-06 — One of the sleepier primaries this cycle is the race between Rep. Seth Moulton and his primary challengers Angus McQuilken and Jamie Belsito. Having two challengers is likely to split the anti-Moulton vote and make it more difficult for either challenger to win. The congressman has goodwill in his district, but his detractors point to Moulton's push to oust House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from leadership and his brief presidential run as reasons to knock him out. MA-08 — Rep. Stephen Lynch is facing a challenge on his left from Dr. Robbie Goldstein, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. This primary race has been overshadowed by the Senate primary and the Neal vs. Morse match-up, but it's another contest where progressives see an opportunity to unseat a more moderate Democrat. | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| – “How exactly would Stephen Lynch and Robbie Goldstein vote differently in Congress?” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “In the midst of several other competitive Massachusetts primaries headed toward the finish line Tuesday, the 36-year-old infectious disease specialist and Massachusetts General Hospital doctor has been running an unabashedly progressive campaign against Lynch, a nine-term incumbent and former ironworker with a reputation as the most moderate member of the state’s all-Democratic federal delegation.” – “‘It sure as hell matters’: So what happens if Richie Neal actually loses to Alex Morse?” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Last week, local leaders gathered in Springfield to announce a long-awaited $51 million project to transform an abandoned downtown hotel into new apartments, shops, and restaurant space. One after another, they stepped and gave credit to Rep. Richard Neal for using his voice — both publicly and behind the scenes — during deliberations over the 2017 tax cut bill.” – “Powerful House committee chairman faces liberal primary challenger in race that could reshape Congress,” by David Weigel, Erica Werner and Jeff Stein, The Washington Post: “The chairman of one of Congress’s most powerful committees is trying to fend off a young liberal mayor in a bitterly contested primary Tuesday — a race that could define the Democratic Party and reshape Congress for years to come.” – “UMass Amherst Democrats apologize for homophobic attacks caused by allegations against Alex Morse,” by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: “Leaders of the UMass Amherst Democrats group on Friday evening apologized to Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke for homophobic attacks he has faced over allegations of inappropriate behavior made against him earlier this month.” | | THE DOWN-BALLOT RACES |
| 5 LEGISLATIVE RACES TO WATCH — Races for the State House are important for two reasons: Much of the decision-making that impacts our daily lives is made on the state level, plus a competitive race can drive up turnout in key areas and impact races at the top of the ballot. Here are five contests I'm keeping an eye on — I broke down five others in yesterday’s newsletter. Rivera vs. Moran — Lawrence state Rep. Frank Moran is facing a primary challenge from Democrat Marianela Rivera, who is calling for more transparency in state government and improvements for Lawrence schools. Moran has been in office since 2013, and he's among the Democrats who received a boost from the Massachusetts Majority super PAC, which is linked to GOP Gov. Charlie Baker. Link. Everett vs. Lacet vs. Fluker Oakley — There are three candidates running to replace outgoing state Rep. Dan Cullinane: Stephanie Everett, Jovan Lacet, and Brandy Fluker Oakley. The majority-minority district covers portions of Hyde Park, Dorchester, Mattapan and Milton. Link. Hurst vs. Mullan vs. Ramos — Candidates Denise Hurst, Sean Mullan and Orlando Ramos are running in a three-way primary to replace Springfield state Rep. Jose Tosado. Turnout in this race could impact the House primary for Rep. Richard Neal's seat. Link. Consalvo vs. Petit-Maitre vs. Van Ness — A trio of Democrats — Rob Consalvo, Duckens Petit-Maitre and Gretchen Van Ness — are running to replace retiring Rep. Rep. Angelo Scaccia, the longest-serving member in the House. Scaccia held the seat for decades, and Boston political watchers are watching the results for hints about the mood of the electorate for the 2021 mayoral race. Link . Gravellese vs. Giannino — Revere City Councilor Jessica Giannino and Joe Gravellese are running to replace outgoing state Rep. RoseLee Vincent. The candidates have raised substantial cash and battled for endorsements. Link. | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “VIRAL VOTE,” — Globe: “Defiant, pastor ties masks to socialism,” “Furious final hours in an unparalleled primary.” | | NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW |
| – “Boston says error occurred in exam school admissions,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Boston Public Schools officials said on Monday that a significant error was made in calculating grade point averages for some students applying to the city’s three exam schools for admission last fall and for the upcoming school year. The district said the mistake impacted a total of 152 students, with 62 students denied exam school seats who should have been admitted.” – “‘It’s never been this bad’: One-fourth of businesses haven’t reopened at Faneuil Hall due to pandemic,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “About 20 tenants have closed for good or have not reopened since the pandemic began, representing nearly one-fourth of the property’s stores and restaurants. The latest, and perhaps most notable: The Cheers replica bar poured its final drink on Sunday.” – “Somerville rep concerned about ‘draconian’ MassHealth asset recovery policies,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “The federal government allows states to recoup Medicaid costs after the deaths of patients who use the program. Estate recovery allows homes to be seized and sold to pay off expended Medicaid dollars, a move advocates decry as penalizing low-income families, and making Medicaid into a loan program.” – “Gov. Charlie Baker ends Massachusetts National Guard activation order,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration announced an end to the Massachusetts National Guard activation order on Monday amid questions over why he issued the order to begin with. Three days after issuing the order, the Baker administration still hasn’t said anything about the activation, nor what the Guardsmen have done since then.” ICYMI: I was a guest on WGBH's “Greater Boston” to discuss today’s statewide primary. Link. NEW EPISODE: PRIMARY SCHOOL – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray break down the Sept. 1 primary. 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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