Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The new campaign normal

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The new campaign normal

AUGUST IS THE NEW SEPTEMBER — The state’s top court gave Secretary of State Bill Galvin the green light to send out mail-in ballot applications for the September primary as part of a new law that could change campaigning going forward.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Monday rejected a MassGOP challenge to the VOTES Act that makes the pandemic-era expansions of early and mail-in voting permanent, among other voting reforms.

MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons is now turning to the U.S. Supreme Court for emergency relief, saying his case presents “significant issues” with federal law. Under a typical timeline, the court would decide whether to take up the case in the fall, though emergency matters could move within a few days or weeks.

Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin talks about mail-in voting on Monday, July 11, 2022 at the State House. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

In the meantime, Galvin says mail ballot applications could start going out as early as next week, ahead of the July 23 deadline. He hopes to get ballots to voters “as early in August as reasonably possible” before the Sept. 6 primary.

And that means the summer doldrums of campaign season could become a thing of the past. The new voting timeline moves up the timetable for campaigns to start get-out-the-vote efforts. It could encourage candidates to go up on the airwaves earlier than their typical mid- to late-August buys. And for those without the financial means to go on TV early or for an extended period of time, it could mean more emphasis on cheaper voter outreach efforts like digital ads and mailers.

Still, several campaigns and operatives told Playbook that they’re not expecting statewide primaries to be won or lost in early August, saying it’s unclear how many voters will actually request and return mail ballots this year. Nearly half of the record 1.7 million voters in the 2020 state primary cast their ballots by mail, driven by a marquee U.S. Senate race, several contested U.S. House races and a lack of Covid-19 vaccines.

But with few flashy primaries this year, some campaigns are expecting lower turnout. And with the public in a vastly different place in the pandemic, they're expecting more people to vote at the polls.

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends a groundbreaking ceremony in Fitchburg at noon. Galvin speaks at an announcement event for the Adams Presidential Center at 10:30 a.m. in Quincy. MassINC hosts its 2022 annual Gateways Cities Leadership Summit with featured speakers including state Sen. Eric Lesser at 11 a.m. AG Maura Healey hosts a campaign media availability on public education with MTA President Merrie Najimy at 12:15 p.m. in Worcester and visits Worcester Technical High School for a roundtable at 12:45 p.m.

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YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III has endorsed Raul Fernandez for 15th Norfolk state representative, saying in a statement that “time and again I have seen Raul take on the biggest and most intractable issues in town and deliver real change.” Kennedy, a former Brookline resident, is backing Fernandez, a former vice-chair of the Brookline Select Board, over incumbent state Rep. Tommy Vitolo.

— State Rep. Nika Elugardo has been endorsed for Second Suffolk state Senate by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

— NEW this AM: Chris Dempsey is picking up new legislative support in his bid for state auditor. The Democrat has been endorsed by state Reps. Sarah Peake, Linda Dean Campbell, Carole Fiola, Danielle Gregoire, Natalie Blais, Christine Barber, Michelle Ciccolo, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Patricia Haddad, Natalie Higgins, Mary Keefe, Kay Khan, Kathleen LaNatra, Elizabeth Malia, Joan Meschino, Maria Robinson, Chynah Tyler and Susannah Whipps; and state Sens. Cindy Creem, Joan Lovely, Jo Comerford, Cindy Friedman and Susan Moran, who are supporting Dempsey over their caucus colleague state Sen. Diana DiZoglio. The women will join Auditor Suzanne Bump for a “Women for Dempsey” fundraiser next Wednesday.

— “Governor’s Council candidate would seek pro-choice, anti-racist judges,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “If Mara Dolan were interviewing a judicial nominee, she would want to know three things: whether the person supports abortion rights, whether they understand substance use disorders, and whether they are anti-racist. … Dolan, a public defender who has also worked in Democratic politics, is the only candidate challenging an incumbent governor’s councilor this year.”

— “Robyn Kennedy steps down from YWCA post to focus on state Senate run,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “Robyn K. Kennedy has stepped down from her role as chief operating officer for the YWCA of Central Massachusetts to focus full-time on her campaign for state Senate. … Kennedy is running as a Democrat to succeed state Sen. Harriette L. Chandler of Worcester, also a Democrat. She is facing Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty in the Democratic primary.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Mass. lawmakers promise one of Beacon Hill’s largest packages of tax relief in a generation. It mirrors much of what Baker pitched in January,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “In all, the $3.8 billion package House Democrats released Monday includes nearly $524 million in permanent tax breaks, as well as $510 million in previously announced one-time rebates that would be distributed to potentially millions of taxpayers by October. Many of the proposed tax breaks hew closely to a plan Governor Charlie Baker released months ago, and leaders in the House and Senate say they have agreed to the ‘framework’ of the tax changes, which should help ease its passage during the final scramble before the formal legislative session ends on July 31. … Each of the measures would take effect in January, House officials said, meaning residents are likely to claim the increased credits when filing their 2023 taxes in the spring of 2024.”

— More: What's in the proposed $523.5 million in tax breaks.

— “The Legislature wants to give tax rebates to many, but not all. Some lawmakers and experts say more help for low-income families is needed,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “In a statement Monday, [Senate President Karen] Spilka said ‘every working individual making less than $38,640 who filed taxes in 2021 and did not claim unemployment was eligible to receive a $500 COVID premium payment.’ ‘Those checks have already gone out,’ she said. But some of those benefits were meant for pandemic-related expenses, some argue, and left out swaths of poor residents like those who don’t earn their income, don’t have Social Security numbers, received unemployment benefits, or were too old or young to be eligible.”

— “Abortion funding: Massachusetts lawmakers propose $15 million for security, crackdown on crisis pregnancy centers,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “As Massachusetts lawmakers sharpen their efforts on defending abortion rights and access, state representatives have now proposed allocating $15 million for reproductive care, including bolstering security infrastructure at clinics. Of that, at least $1 million would be earmarked for a public awareness campaign to crack down on crisis pregnancy centers and pregnancy resource centers … The funding in the House bill could be used for hiring and retention efforts at reproductive care clinics. Providers can use the money for abortions, contraception, prenatal and perinatal services, among other needs, according to the bill.”

— “On Abortion, House And Senate Agreements, Disagreements Coming Into View,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “House and Senate Democrats are in agreement on a suite of reforms to protect access to abortions and shield Bay State providers amid tightening restrictions elsewhere, and they may need to set aside any differences to stave off a potential veto. … However, the version [state Sen. Cindy] Friedman filed does not include two other sections that featured in the bill the House approved late last month: it would not make emergency contraceptives such as Plan B available in vending machines, and it would not expand when abortions are allowed after 24 weeks of pregnancy.”

FROM THE HUB

— “Short-term rentals decreasing in Boston, priced out by monthly rents, per city report,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The number of short-term rentals in Boston dropped in the past year and is now under 700 citywide, down from what was estimated to be 6,000 just a few years ago, according to a new report from the city that says in most places the area’s sky-high monthly rents mean that having tenants is just a better option for landlords.”

— “Bid to expand Seaport’s convention center hits a snag: The senator from South Boston,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s efforts to expand its flagship convention center in South Boston have hit a new complication amid disagreements on Beacon Hill about whether the project should be fast-tracked or put on hold. A key voice has emerged calling to slow things down: State Senator Nick Collins, whose district includes the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.”

— “Jill Biden to headline teachers union convention,” by Julia Manchester, The Hill: “First lady Jill Biden will headline the American Federation of Teachers Convention in Boston on Friday, marking the convention’s first in-person gathering since 2018.”

BALLOT BATTLES

— “Signature drive to put driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants up for a vote in November heats up,” by Joe Dwinell and Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “The push to deny driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants has hit the grocery stores where the competition is as fierce as the discounts inside. … ‘We’re literally being blocked when we set up,’ MassGOP Chairman Jim Lyons said about the signature tables at mostly grocery stores. ‘They are being off-the-charts aggressive and I told them they are violating the law.’”

The state GOP has accused Democrats and activists including state Sen. Jamie Eldridge of showing up at signature-collection booths to “harass and intimidate” volunteers and voters. But Eldridge told Playbook “there was never any physical obstruction or intimidation of voters” and that he and other Democrats were just offering people a different perspective on the Work and Family Mobility Act. “This is what free speech is about,” Eldridge said.

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FROM THE DELEGATION

— COVID POSITIVE: Rep. Lori Trahan has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time, the congresswoman wrote on Twitter, adding that she has “mild symptoms” and urging people to get vaccinated and boosted. Trahan first contracted Covid in January 2021.

— “Elizabeth Warren Launches Plan to Get More Young People to Vote,” by Ursula Perano, Daily Beast: “As election laws continue to come under attack in Republican-controlled states, Congress has struggled to pass voting-rights reforms due to the delicate 50-50 Senate. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is trying to change that with a new bill targeting a historically low-turnout voting group: young people. Warren’s new proposal, which she [introduced] Monday, would expand voter registration at public colleges and universities, ensure all states allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, require colleges and universities to have polling places on campus and ensure that all states include student IDs as a form of voter ID, among other proposals, according to a draft of new legislation obtained by The Daily Beast.”

— “Anti-hunger advocates, families call for universal school meals and food insecurity screenings,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “At some point in August 2020 while the COVID-19 pandemic was raging, Denise Lauers exhausted her savings and began looking for help feeding herself and her two sons. … Lauers was one of about 25 parents and food security advocates who offered testimony and recommendations at a public conversation on food insecurity led by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley in East Boston Monday. Making school meals free and integrating food insecurity screenings into public healthcare systems emerged as popular solutions.”

FROM THE 413

— “Springfield city councilors, residents express concern over the use of ARPA funds,” by Jonah Snowden, Springfield Republican: “There have been 1,586 ARPA applications submitted, but only 79 have been granted, according to information provided during the City Council’s Financial Subcommittee meeting on July 7. Additionally, 472 senior applicants and 293 household applicants are still awaiting a response to their applications.”

— “Williamstown DPW employees seek hazard paycheck of $4,000 each for performing duties during pandemic ‘public safety crisis’," by Scott Stafford, Berkshire Eagle: “The union for the employees of the town’s Department of Public Works is seeking a ‘COVID hazard bonus’ of $4,000 for each member because of the risk they took on by continuing to perform duties during the pandemic while exposing themselves to possible infection.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Report details women's accounts of sexual misconduct by staff in Massachusetts prisons and jails,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “The research, from Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts, is based on interviews with 22 women, either currently or formerly incarcerated in prisons and jails across the state. Of the women interviewed, the vast majority — 19 women — said they had either experienced or witnessed sexual harassment or sexual violence while in custody.”

— “Gas prices keep dropping in Massachusetts: ‘We should be heading back to $4.00, and hopefully we break that $4 benchmark’,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The Bay State’s average gas price on Monday was down 11 cents from last week ($4.85), now averaging $4.74 per gallon for regular, according to AAA Northeast. The current price is 30 cents lower than a month ago when the state hit its record-high average of $5.04 a gallon.”

— “The fight to undam the Charles River comes to Natick,” by Hannah Reale, GBH News: “Natick resident Brad Peterson is afraid of what will happen to an iconic and ‘majestic’ part of town if officials decide to remove a 90-year-old dam. … Peterson appears to be part of an increasingly vocal minority as the decision looms on whether to repair or remove the ‘high hazard’ dam at the end of July. Signs and a petition have begun circulating to ‘Save Natick Dam’ in recent weeks. But many in town worry more about the environmental and financial impacts if the structure stays — and the fact that its very existence is an affront to the local Nipmuc Indian Development Council.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Charlestown state Rep. Dan Ryan, Daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Scott Merzbach, Gregorio Gomez, Arlene Remz, Madeline Saunders and POLITICO’s Ryan Lizza.

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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