| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PRESIDENTIAL RACE COULD TAKE A WHILE — There is no clear winner of the presidential race between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden this morning. It's a reality we've been preparing for over the last several months. Officials in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan have long said they would need some time to process mail-in ballots. But locked in a tight battle for the White House, the president is already eyeing a legal challenge. Trump falsely declared victory and said early this morning he'd try to stop votes from being counted after Election Day, though it's not clear what legal argument he could make. Biden stressed that the election results were up to the voters, not either of the candidates. With the presidential election in limbo, Massachusetts officials were relatively quiet last night. I asked a number of Bay State leaders whether they had plans to make a public statement while we await election results over the next several days. The answer from many: Stay tuned. Several days ago, Gov. Charlie Baker activated 1,000 members of the National Guard in case cities and towns faced unrest after the election, though no flare ups were reported yesterday. With about two thirds of the total Massachusetts vote reported , Biden led Trump with nearly 67 percent of the vote, according to the Associated Press. That's a larger margin than Hillary Clinton's 60 percent of support in 2016, but Biden's numbers could dwindle a bit as cities and towns report their vote totals. RIGHT TO REPAIR PASSES — Question 1, the most expensive ballot question in Massachusetts history, passed easily last night. The "yes" side of the right to repair initiative declared victory relatively early in the night, with support form 75 percent of voters. The ballot question teed up a fight between automakers and repair shops. Supporters of the initiative spent $24.3 million, while opponents spent $26.4 million. That's a combined $50 million on a single ballot question. RANKED-CHOICE VOTING FAILS — In a blow to progressives, the campaign to bring ranked-choice voting to Massachusetts conceded its ballot campaign late last night. The Yes on 2 campaign received about 45 percent of support, while opponents of ranked-choice voting made up 55 percent of the vote, according to early results. Spending was lopsided here: Supporters of ranked-choice voting raised close to $10 million, while opponents only raised $3,500. This is something of a win for Gov. Charlie Baker, who recently came out against ranked-choice voting. Well-known Democrats who supported ranked-choice voting include Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey. INCUMBENTS SWEEP HOUSE RACES — Massachusetts is sending its all-Democratic delegation back to Congress in 2021. Nationally, Democrats maintained their majority in the House, meaning high-ranking committee members like House Ways and Means Chair Richard Neal and Rules Committee Chair Jim McGovern are likely to hold onto their power. It also means Jake Auchincloss is officially Kennedy's successor in the House, after Kennedy gave up his seat to run for Senate against Markey. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Richard Neal speaks to the press in Springfield. Rep. Seth Moulton holds a press conference in Salem. Activists plan to protest in Boston following the presidential election. ELECTIONLAND: POLITICO is partnering with Electionland , a ProPublica project that works with newsrooms to track voting issues around the country. The Electionland project covers problems that prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots during the 2020 elections. We’re part of a coalition of newsrooms around the country that are investigating issues related to voter registration, pandemic-related changes to voting, the shift to vote-by-mail, cybersecurity, voter education, misinformation, and more. Tell us here if you had trouble voting. |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 923 new COVID cases, 12 deaths as seven-day average of new cases dips slightly,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials confirmed another 923 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 157,308. That’s based on 54,843 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. There are currently 16,681 active cases of the virus across the state.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| — “Gov. Baker nominates Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt to SJC. She would be the first Latina on the high court,” by Matt Stout and Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday nominated appellate court judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt to the Supreme Judicial Court, putting her in line to be the first Latina to serve on the state’s highest court in its 328-year history. Baker formally announced Wendlandt’s selection at an afternoon news conference at the State House.” — “Charlie Baker says he ‘blanked’ his 2020 presidential vote,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has repeatedly said he wouldn’t vote to re-elect Republican President Donald Trump in this year’s election. However, despite his often vocal criticisms of Trump, the moderate GOP governor also isn’t backing Democratic nominee Joe Biden. During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Baker indicated for the first time that he did not vote for any candidate in the 2020 presidential race.” | |
| | NEW EPISODES OF POLITICO'S GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS PODCAST: The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, and these issues have exploded in 2020. Are world leaders and political actors up to the task of solving them? Is the private sector? Our Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, unpacks the roadblocks to smart policy decisions and examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. Subscribe for Season Two, available now. | | | | |
| | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| — “Ed Markey, new progressive icon, wins another Senate term,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “Senator Edward J. Markey cruised to re-election Tuesday in an anti-climatic victory over his Republican challenger, attorney Kevin O’Connor, whose long-shot bid never generated the energy or voter attention that the contest’s Democratic primary drew. The Associated Press called the race at 8 p.m. for Markey, who earlier this year clawed his way back from underdog status to vanquish a member of the state’s most famous political dynasty, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| — “In a historic election, anxiety propels Massachusetts voters to the polls,” by Meg Woolhouse, GBH News: “Siddharth Hariharin is not registered to vote in Massachusetts — but that didn’t stop the 23-year-old from taking democracy into his own hands on election day. When the recent New Jersey transplant noticed that people couldn’t find the door to the polling site at Boston City Hall, he spent hours in the cold pointing would-be voters in the right direction.” — “No more fights, and no more virus: What Mass. voters want from the future U.S. president,” by Adrian Ma, WBUR: “On paper, there are some obvious differences between the town of Saugus and the Boston neighborhood of East Boston. Demographically, about 60% of East Boston residents are either Hispanic or Black, and in the 2016 election, voters there preferred Hillary Clinton by a large margin. By contrast, about 90% of Saugus residents are white, and during the last election, the town favored Trump. And yet, East Boston and Saugus share a grim similarity — both are seeing high rates of new COVID-19 infections.” — “Prepared for unrest, police in Mass. report few disruptions on Election Night,” by Milton J. Valencia and Vernal Coleman, Boston Globe: “Following days of preparation and uncertainty over the potential for voting disruptions and unrest on Election Day, law enforcement agencies across Massachusetts were reporting few, if any, notable incidents Tuesday night. As national election results trickled in and temperatures dropped into the 20s Tuesday night, many, it seemed, chose to wait out their anxieties at home.” | | THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP |
| — “Biden wave in Mass. doesn’t translate in House,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “The blue wave in Massachusetts for Joe Biden and the state’s congressional delegation didn’t translate into a sweep of local House races for Democrats. Republican Rep. Leonard Mirra of Georgetown said the presidential race ‘made things more difficult for [local] Republicans this year,’ but he held on to retain his seat.” — “Andover Democrat fends off Republican in legislative race,” by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: “State Representative Tram Nguyen won her reelection bid Tuesday in the 18th Essex District, one of dozens of contested legislative seats across Massachusetts. Nguyen, an Andover Democrat, received about 62 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results. Her Republican challenger, Jeff DuFour of Tewksbury, received about 38 percent.” — “Kip Diggs unseats William Crocker in 2nd Barnstable District race,” by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: “Democrat Kip Diggs unseated two-term Republican incumbent William Crocker on Tuesday in the race for state representative in the 2nd Barnstable District. The district comprises 10 precincts in Barnstable and two in Yarmouth.” — “Rausch appears on way to second term in state Senate,” by Tom Reilly, Sun Chronicle: “Becca Rausch appeared to be on her way to a second term in the state Senate Tuesday night, turning back a challenge from a veteran Franklin town councilor. By early Wednesday morning, she had led her opponent, Republican Matt Kelly, 57 to 43 percent.” — “State Sen. Susan Moran elected to full term in Plymouth & Barnstable District,” by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times: “Incumbent state Sen. Susan Moran, D-Falmouth, won a full term Tuesday to the Plymouth & Barnstable District seat she first claimed just six months ago. Moran won 56% of the vote to defeat Republican James ‘Jay’ McMahon III of Bourne in Tuesday’s election.” — “Steven Xiarhos edges James Dever in 5th Barnstable District race,” by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: “Former Yarmouth police Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos will be the 5th Barnstable District’s next state representative, beating James Dever in Tuesday’s election by 1,167 votes. Xiarhos, a Republican from West Barnstable, will succeed state Rep. Randy Hunt, R-Sandwich, who decided not to run for a sixth term this year.” — “A generational journey: Meghan Kilcoyne becomes 1st woman elected to Massachusetts’ 12th Worcester District,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Kilcoyne declared victory around 10 p.m. Tuesday as she took the lead with 8 out of 11 precincts reporting. Shortly before 10:30 p.m., Kilcoyne had 57% of the vote, while Republican Susan Smiley had 38.33% and Green Party candidate Charlene DiCalogero had roughly 4% of the vote.” — “Tight race in Massachusetts House’s 7th Hampden District has both candidates claiming lead; AP results show James 'Chip’ Harrington ahead,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “In a wild ride fitting 2020, the candidates for the 7th Hampden House of Representatives seat both claimed victory in Tuesday’s election by the slimmest of margins. James ‘Chip’ Harrington, a Republican, said he bested Democratic opponent Jake Oliveira by 146 votes. But, Oliveira countered that he beat Harrington by 137 votes.” — “Cronin declares victory; Sen. Tran not conceding,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Democrat John Cronin was clinging to a tiny lead over Republican Sen. Dean Tran of Fitchburg early Wednesday morning, but Cronin said the trendlines were enough for him to declare victory.” | |
| | EXCLUSIVE: "THE CIRCUS" & POLITICO TEAM UP TO PULL BACK THE CURTAIN ON THE MOST UNPRECEDENTED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN HISTORY: It’s been the most unconventional and contentious election season of our lifetime. The approach taken by each candidate couldn’t be more different, yet the stakes couldn’t be higher as we cross the finish line. Join POLITICO’s John Harris, Laura Barrón-López, Gabby Orr and Eugene Daniels in a conversation with John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri of Showtime's "The Circus" on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. EST for an insiders’ look at the Trump and Biden campaigns, behind-the-scenes details and nuggets from the trail, and the latest on where things stand and where they are heading. DON'T MISS THIS! REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | IN THE VOTING BOOTH |
| — “This guy drove 2,000 miles roundtrip from Boston to Georgia to vote after his absentee ballot didn’t arrive,” by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: “Joe LaMuraglia isn’t the type of person to give up easily. And when he gets an idea in his head? Well, good luck stopping him from seeing it through. … It was that determination that compelled LaMuraglia to drive more than 2,000 miles from Massachusetts to Savannah, Ga., and back again, to ensure his vote was cast in the 2020 presidential election.” — “Election 2020: Massachusetts voter who wore Black Lives Matter shirt successfully casts ballot after initially being turned away from polls,” by Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: “After initially being turned away from the polls for wearing Black Lives Matter gear on Election Day, a Massachusetts voter was successfully able to cast their ballot Tuesday, news outlets reported. A poll worker in Hanson believed a Black Lives Matter shirt or mask was prohibited inside voting locations the same way that paraphernalia promoting or opposing a political candidate on the ballot is not allowed.” | | BALLOT WARS |
| — “Right to repair ballot question passes, but implementation a concern,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts voters on Tuesday voted to expand the state’s Right to Repair law and require car manufacturers to provide more information to independent repair shops. The passage of the ballot question raises questions about how the new law will be implemented on a tight time frame — whether the Legislature will step in and tweak the law, or even whether some cars may be unavailable to Massachusetts buyers next year.” — “Question 2 supporters concede defeat in effort to bring ranked choice voting to Massachusetts,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Despite support from the state’s top-ranking elected Democrats, a massive fundraising advantage, and an army of volunteers, the ballot effort to implement ranked choice voting in Massachusetts says it fell short Tuesday. Down by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent with 80 percent of precincts reporting, the Yes on 2 campaign conceded defeat Wednesday morning at 12:30 a.m.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| — “'We do not anticipate any violent protests’: After Worcester courthouse announces early closure, city’s police chief says there’s no evidence of violence,” by Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: “Court officials said the Worcester courthouse will close early Wednesday after initially claiming there was intelligence suggesting violent protests were planned, putting them at odds with law enforcement in the city who said no such evidence exists.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| — “Auchincloss wins 4th Congressional District race,” by Wilder Fleming, WBUR: “Jake Auchincloss has won the House seat soon to be vacated by Congressman Joe Kennedy III. The Newton Democrat easily bested Republican opponent, former U.S. Air Force colonel Julie Hall, in the race for the 4th Congressional District.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “BALLOT BLITZ,” — Globe: “Another night on the razor’s edge,” “In shades of 2016, it’s up to ‘blue wall.’” | | FROM THE 413 |
| — “Surprise challenger for NAACP president reflects new activism,” by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle: “The election for president of the Berkshire branch of the NAACP has grown prickly after its long-standing president drew an unexpected challenger. Ari Zorn, 53, of Egremont, surprised President Dennis Powell and many in the group with his candidacy, and a public announcement of a platform that suggests that the current leadership needs modernizing to expand its reach, further pad its coffers, and unify with other groups and causes.” — “Holyoke’s Patrick Beaudry gets Election Day talk from Joe Biden in Scranton, Penn.” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “CNN viewers Tuesday morning saw former Vice President Joe Biden visiting his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to talk to, among others, Patrick Beaudry of Holyoke.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. Ken Gordon, Michael Fontneau, who is 36, NYT’s Kit Seelye, Julie Siegel, Morgan Mohr and Jean Roseme. NEW EPISODE: END TIMES INSIGHT — On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray discuss ranked choice voting and a new Massachusetts poll, and the Boston Globe’s Victoria McGrane breaks down the fight for the Senate. 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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