Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The bombshell shaking Boston politics

Thursday, August 25, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The bombshell shaking Boston politics

IT’S COMPLICATED — The still-unfolding story of the allegations of possible sexual assault levied against Ricardo Arroyo as a teenager show just how complicated post-#MeToo politics can be.

Accusations of sexual misconduct have been career-killers for politicians. State lawmakers and federal representatives from both parties were driven from office at the height of the #MeToo movement in the late 2010s. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s support from major donors and labor unions crumbled in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against him that ultimately led to his resignation last year.

And yet, Donald Trump and Joe Biden were both elected president despite a slew of accusations of sexual misconduct against the former and a couple of allegations of inappropriate touching against the latter. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican seeking reelection while under federal investigation for sex trafficking — he’s denied wrongdoing and has not been charged — easily won his primary this week.

Now to Arroyo. The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that the 34-year-old Boston city councilor was investigated for possible sexual assaults when he was 18 and 19, but not charged. Arroyo, now running for Suffolk district attorney, said he was unaware of the accusations and investigations until he was questioned by the newspaper. He’s denied the allegations, vowed to stay in the district attorney race and accused his political rival, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, of trying to smear him less than two weeks before the primary. Hayden’s campaign accused Arroyo of trying to “cover up” the allegations.

People on both sides have called to support the women at the center of this story — but in different ways. Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy, who’s endorsed Hayden, issued a lengthy statement in which she vowed to “stand up and believe women” in an effort to end “rape culture.” But one of Arroyo’s accusers, through her attorney, issued a statement saying Arroyo “never assaulted” her and “if there is ever a time to believe women, it is now.”

Now, about 36 hours since the initial story, the political fallout for Arroyo is underway.

Some endorsers have fled: Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Iron Workers Local 7 and Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, who appointed Arroyo as the body’s vice president, have rescinded their endorsements.

Others have stayed: Boston City Councilors Kendra Lara and Tania Fernandes Anderson appeared alongside Arroyo at a press conference Wednesday.

Lara, a survivor of sexual assault who’s known Arroyo since she was a teenager , told Playbook she “takes these kinds of claims incredibly seriously.” But “knowing how that information was illegally leaked, and knowing how that information is trying to be weaponized” by Arroyo’s political rivals — Hayden and his supporters — Lara said she has “no intention of standing behind unfounded allegations and pulling my endorsement.”

Arroyo and his supporters, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, are questioning where the police and school records referenced in the Globe story came from — state law prohibits releasing police reports describing sexual assault allegations — and the timing of the article's release.

It’s a political tactic that buys those unsure of what to do more time to figure out their next steps — particularly Wu, whose rising star now has a dotted line to a potentially sinking candidate. The mayor told reporters that she’s waiting to “see how this story evolves” — though it might not be resolved by primary day. Other big-name progressives who’ve endorsed Arroyo — Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley — didn’t respond to reporters’ requests for comment yesterday. But they’re sure to keep facing questions about it.

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

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito host a school safety event at 10:30 a.m. at the State House. Governor/LG hopefuls Chris Doughty and Kate Campanale unveil their college payment plan at 1:30 p.m. outside the State House. LG hopeful and state Sen. Eric Lesser campaigns in Worcester.

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Democratic attorney general hopeful Shannon Liss-Riordan is hitting the airwaves with her fifth television ad , this one highlighting the endorsements she’s received from more than 50 unions representing more than 500,000 workers statewide, according to her campaign. She’s also releasing her third radio ad.

“For decades, I’ve been the workers’ champion in court,” Liss-Riordan says in the ad. “As attorney general, I will hold corporations accountable and put money back in people’s pockets.”

Liss-Riordan has now poured more than $4.5 million into television, digital and radio advertising, according to ad tracker AdImpact. That’s fueled by the $3 million she’s given to her campaign, according to campaign finance records. Her campaign declined to say whether Liss-Riordan has made additional contributions.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund IEPAC is putting another $430,000 behind several statewide and legislative candidates. That includes $262,467 for a mailer and digital ad for Andrea Campbell for attorney general, $117,473 for a mailer and digital ad for Chris Dempsey for auditor and $7,473 for Attorney General Maura Healey for governor. Top donors to the super PAC include the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund, the Green Advocacy Project, billionaire Amos Hostetter, Peter Bauer, Bob Taylor and Rick Burnes.

— ENDORSEMENT ALERTS: Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins has been endorsed for reelection by Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo and a majority of the city’s council.

— Sen. Ed Markey has endorsed Tristan Smith for state representative in the 8th Essex district.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Massachusetts tax relief bill ‘will get done,’ says Sen. Eric Lesser, although exact timing still up in the air,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “More than three weeks after tax relief talks stalled on Beacon Hill in the final hours of formal lawmaking, a Senate negotiator says he remains ‘optimistic’ that the six-member conference committee he sits on will manage to strike a deal on a $1 billion package, including $250 stimulus checks for middle-income Bay Staters. But a compromise may not emerge until at least after Sept. 20, as lawmakers and political onlookers anxiously await a report from state Auditor Suzanne Bump detailing whether Massachusetts has surpassed a to-be-determined state revenue threshold, with the analysis partly based on annual wage and salary growth.”

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— “Baker Defends Virus Approach Ahead Of School Openings,” by Colin A. Young, State House News Service (paywall): “The Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity organized a press event this week to call on the state to do more to prepare for a possible COVID-19 rebound this fall, including by requiring students or workers who contract COVID to isolate for 10 days or until they no longer test positive on a rapid test and being ready to quickly impose mask mandates early in any surge. ‘Well, most of that's not consistent with a lot of the federal guidance that we've gotten and certainly not consistent with a lot of the international guidance either. I think the guidance that we have out is about where we should be at this point in time,’ Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday when asked about the calls.”

FROM THE HUB

— “Amid criticism and dropped endorsements, DA candidate Arroyo pushes back on revelation of past sex assault investigations,” by Danny McDonald, Evan Allen, Andrea Estes and Andrew Ryan, Boston Globe: “As some former political allies began rescinding their endorsements, Suffolk district attorney candidate Ricardo Arroyo vowed to stay in the race Wednesday and again pushed back against revelations that he was twice investigated — though never charged — for possible sexual assault as a teenager. ‘This campaign is going to continue,’ Arroyo said at a press conference in Jamaica Plain. ‘We are going to continue to focus on making sure that we are running a campaign for justice.’”

— “State picks a firm for $1B redevelopment of downtown Boston site,” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “The Baker administration has chosen Leggat McCall Properties to redevelop the site of the hulking Charles F. Hurley state building in downtown Boston, including the construction of a new lab tower, a 200-unit housing tower, renovated state offices and more. In an unusual twist, the Boston-based firm will not pay the state directly in cash for a long-term ground lease at the 5.5-acre site, located near the intersection of Beacon Hill, Government Center and the West End. Rather, as compensation for use of the property, the developer will provide state agencies with office space at no upfront cost. The building now has just under 350,000 square feet of space.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “Civil rights organization asks federal authorities to review Orange Line closure,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “A Boston civil rights group is calling on the federal government to review the Orange Line closure and demanding that the MBTA take steps to ease the impact of the monthlong shutdown on people of color. In two letters sent Wednesday, Lawyers for Civil Rights said it wants the Federal Transit Administration, which has given the MBTA a number of directives in recent months as part of a safety review, to conduct what’s known as a Title VI compliance review of the MBTA’s operations.”

— “Reduced frequency on subways will continue through fall,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The MBTA, which had originally hoped to restore regular weekday service on the Red, Blue, and Orange lines by the end of the summer, is now planning to continue the lower frequency service throughout the fall.”

INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.

BALLOT BATTLES

— “Effort to repeal driver’s licenses for undocumented Mass. residents has enough support to make the ballot, Republicans say,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “Conservative opponents of a law that allows undocumented residents to apply for driver’s licenses say a repeal measure is poised to make the ballot in November. Initiative coordinator Wendy Wakeman announced at a news conference in Boston on Wednesday the campaign, Fair And Secure Massachusetts, has collected 100,000 signatures in support of a ballot measure to undo the law, which the Legislature passed earlier this year after the Democratic majority voted to override a veto by Governor Charlie Baker. The campaign needs 40,120 certified signatures in order to make the ballot. So far, 78,000 of the 100,000 signatures they collected have been certified, Wakeman said. … At least one voter has complained directly to the Secretary of State’s office about being misled to sign a petition, according to an e-mail obtained by the Globe.”

— “Diehl, through signature effort, finds an issue,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl, whose campaign has been searching for an issue to run on, apparently helped create one. Proponents of an initiative petition overturning a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses said on Wednesday they had gathered more than twice as many signatures as they need to put the measure on the November ballot — and they said Diehl’s campaign gathered the most signatures.”

DAY IN COURT

— “Man who faced charges after heckling Rollins files suit against her, BPD, and Worcester DA,” by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “A man who was accused of intimidation for heckling then-Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins during a press conference in Boston last year has filed a lawsuit claiming malicious prosecution and other charges after a judge ruled in May that the man’s criticisms are protected by the First Amendment.”

DATELINE D.C.

— “Biden OKs sweeping student loan relief as midterms near,” by Michael Stratford and Eugene Daniels, POLITICO: “The Biden administration on Wednesday announced it was canceling up to $10,000 of student debt for millions of people and up to $20,000 of debt for low- and middle-income borrowers who previously received a Pell Grant. The loan relief will be limited to borrowers who earn less than $125,000 a year or families earning less than $250,000. In addition, the White House plans to extend the moratorium on monthly payments and interest for a “final time” through Dec. 31. … Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a leading proponent of canceling student debt, urged Biden to provide as much relief to borrowers as possible during a phone call with the president on Tuesday evening, according to a Democrat familiar with the discussion. The call followed a discussion that senior White House officials, including chief of staff Ron Klain, had with Schumer and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), the leaders of the effort to persuade Biden to cancel student loan debt ever since he took office.”

While Warren, Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, another prominent player in the push to cancel student loan debt, rejoiced on Wednesday , another Democrat, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, told reporters he “would have focused on medical debt relief” instead.

And Republicans were less than enthused with Biden’s move. Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters that he didn’t think Biden’s approach was the “right thing to do.” GOP gubernatorial hopeful Geoff Diehl said one person’s loan forgiveness was another person’s bill and “that’s particularly offensive when you consider that some people who didn’t have the means to attend college now will be asked to pay some of the cost of tuition for those who did.”

— SIGHTS SET: Rep. Stephen Lynch doesn’t want to be postmaster general, but he does want to be the lead Democrat on the influential House Oversight Committee. Lynch is one of several Democrats to throw their hats in the ring after the current seat-holder, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, lost her New York primary this week. Lynch’s argument, in a letter to colleagues : he’s been in Congress for 22 years and is “by far the most senior member of the Oversight Committee seeking this position.” My POLITICO colleagues detail his competition.

FROM THE 413

— “Not getting your mail in the Berkshires? You're not alone, as post offices face mail carrier shortage,” by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: “A dozen mail carrier job openings in a dozen towns throughout the Berkshires indicate the problem — in addition to longstanding funding shortfalls faced by the agency — might be more widespread in the county.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Restaurant foot traffic trending upward across Massachusetts, although businesses have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels,” by Tréa Lavery, MassLive: “While business is far from where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants and bars across Massachusetts are seeing traffic levels trending upward, according to data from SafeGraph. In April of this year (the most recent data available), bar and restaurant traffic in Worcester was 17% below where it was in April 2019. Springfield was 21% below that time and Boston was 22% below.”

— “FEMA provides $54M for COVID-19 funerals,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “The Federal Emergency Management Agency doled out nearly $54 million to Massachusetts residents to help them bury family members and other loved ones who died of COVID-19, according to newly released federal data. As of Aug. 1, at least 9,714 Massachusetts residents had applied for the federal assistance, though 7,865 actually received the reimbursement, according to a FEMA report.”

— "DeSantis fighter jet ad draws comparisons to Dukakis tank photo op," by Shannon Larson, Boston Globe: "Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made it clear he was trying to emulate Tom Cruise’s 'Top Gun' character, Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, in a recent campaign ad. But the political spot — labeled 'Top Gov' — instead drew comparisons to a far different cultural moment: the infamous tank ride taken by former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis during his 1988 campaign for president."

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

IN MEMORIAM — Catherine M. Murray, the mother of former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, died Monday, surrounded by family after a seven-year battle with cancer. She was 78. Obit .

TRANSITIONS — Former Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey and former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio are heading to Harvard this fall as Menschel Senior Leadership Fellows teaching classes on leadership and public service.

— Theresa M. Santoro has joined Sherin and Lodgen as of counsel to the firm’s real estate department.

— Michael Nichols, executive director of the Esplanade Association, has been appointed president of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Maria Nation and Chandra Allard.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: WALK THE ORANGE LINE — Boston Business Journal's Rowan Walrath gives hosts Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela an update on the Orange Line shutdown. The Daily Hampshire Gazette's Bera Dunau breaks down the western Massachusetts primary to watch while GBH's Katie Lannan delves into Lowell's. 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.

Follow us on Twitter