Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Trump's Massachusetts connection

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Trump's Massachusetts connection

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THE LOCAL ANGLE — Donald Trump is starting his third run for the White House with the help of a Beverly-based political firm that touts its past work with Gov. Charlie Baker, a vocal critic of the former president.

Bradley T. Crate, the founder of campaign compliance and treasury services firm Red Curve Solutions, is listed as the treasurer and custodian of records on Trump’s 2024 FEC filing .

Crate was a top finance aide on Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns and worked in his gubernatorial administration. He has served as treasurer for various Trump campaign committees since 2016 .

He's also listed as treasurer of Baker’s campaign committee and as the contact for the governor's now-closed inaugural committee. Red Curve Solutions — which has worked with state and federal candidates including Anthony Amore and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) — features a testimonial from Baker on its homepage. Baker took to CNN for a rare television interview on the eve of the former president’s 2024 announcement to urge his party to dump Trump.

Mark Peterson/Redux Pictures for POLITICO

Trump’s long-expected yet still extraordinary third presidential campaign — launched amid legal probes following two impeachments — sparked calls from top Massachusetts Democrats to again send him packing.

“We’ve defeated him before. We’ll defeat him again,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of several Bay Staters who stepped up to run against Trump in 2020, tweeted .

“The first time Trump ran, he claimed to be an outsider. Now the emperor has no clothes. He screwed America to enrich himself, lost the House, lost the Senate, lost the popular vote x2, got impeached x2, and led an insurrection. He has more baggage than a 747,” Rep. Jim McGovern tweeted . “Bring it.”

Trump is deeply unpopular among Massachusetts voters — he failed to crack 34 percent of the vote here in either the 2016 or 2020 general elections. ManyRepublicans who have run in his image have been resoundingly defeated at the ballot box.

And yet, fresh off another drubbing, MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons was posting pictures from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate thanking the former president “for the invitation to the Special Announcement.” Lyons didn't respond to messages seeking comment.

As a growing number of Republicans clamor for new national leadership after a disappointing midterm showing, Lyons is dealing with similar discontent at home after a disastrous election that saw the GOP’s minority shrink on Beacon Hill and its statewide and congressional candidates all lose. MassGOP Vice Chair Jay Fleitman is the only person officially running for state party chair so far. But committeewoman Amy Carnevale, who told Playbook last week she was considering a run, sent an email to state committee members last night laying out her prescription for the party. The Boston Herald’s Gayla Cawley has more notable floatables .

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu marks a year in office today. Stay tuned for a Q&A with the leader of the state’s largest city later this week.

TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon and speaks at the Fisher College Future of Hybrid Work Summit at 1 p.m. in Boston. Warren keynotes the EconCon Presents gathering in Washington, D.C., at 4 p.m. Wu is on El Mundo's Hora de Café at 7:30 a.m. and JavawithJimmy at 9 a.m., and attends the opening of the East Boston Senior Center at 10:30 a.m. and a community lunch at noon in the South End.

Tips? Scoops? Reaction to Trump running again? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “For Massachusetts, no news of a new state seal or motto,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “Six months ago, members of a special commission unanimously agreed that Massachusetts should replace its state seal and motto. Now, time is running out for them to recommend what those replacements should be. The commission has discussed various design elements — many of them nature-based, like pine trees, cod, chickadees and hills — but after more than a year of meetings, it hasn’t coalesced behind a concept. Now, the commission has newly awarded state funds at its disposal, but its slow progress is now running up against a Dec. 31 deadline that state lawmakers have not opted to extend.”

— “More than 1.3 million tax refunds issued to Mass. residents,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “More than 1.3 million Massachusetts tax refunds were issued by the state government 'as of late last week,’ MassLive was told Tuesday. That equates to over $1.2 billion in excess state revenues being returned to taxpayers under a tax cap law known as Chapter 62F, a state official told MassLive. About 375,000 refunds were issued via direct deposit, with another 950,000 sent as paper checks in the mail.”

— More: "From a loaf of bread to a Disney trip: How Mass. tax refund spending highlights inequities," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive.

— “Fire officials call for increased state support as droughts lead to more wildfires,” by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: “State and local fire officials told Massachusetts lawmakers on Tuesday that more frequent summer drought conditions are leading to more persistent wildfires, and they called on the state to provide more funding to help them battle those blazes."

— “Encore reaches preliminary deal with Caesars for one of its mobile sports betting licenses,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “Encore Boston Harbor reached a ‘preliminary agreement’ to hand off one of its mobile sports betting licenses to Caesars Interactive Entertainment, according to new public records released Tuesday and confirmation from a spokesperson for the Everett casino. The agreement is one of the first major deals to be publicly disclosed as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission works to stand up the state’s brand-new sports betting industry. It also shows that some businesses will have a chance to bypass a competitive license process if they can strike the right agreement with an already-established casino, horse racetrack, or simulcasting facility.”

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— “Massachusetts will send COVID tests to schools ahead of the holidays,” by Vanessa Ochavillo, WBUR: “The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be providing four at-home COVID tests for each student and educator ahead of the holidays.”

FROM THE HUB

— “‘Uptick’ of new faces on Mass and Cass, Boston Police say,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Boston police say there’s an ‘uptick’ of new people hanging around Mass and Cass as authorities look to keep ahead of a new wave of tents and are using civil commitments with the goal of getting some people off the area’s streets.”

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PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “MBTA fare enforcement in ‘legal vacuum’,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Two years ago, the Legislature amended the MBTA’s fare evasion statute, decriminalizing the offense and lowering the range of possible fines. The Legislature left the details to the T, but those details, in the form of new regulations, never got approved, leaving the MBTA with no legal authority to enforce any fare evasion penalties since January 2021. That may change this week, as the MBTA seeks the approval of its board for a new set of regulations that are being described as ‘non-punitive’ and designed not to raise revenue but to encourage fare compliance.”

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— “Two Rep Races May Be Headed For Recounts,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “One week after polls closed, voters still do not know the winners in two Massachusetts House races that are likely headed toward recounts with high stakes for the already-depleted Republican minority. Election officials in Pepperell, Dunstable and Groton plan to meet this week to count additional late-arriving ballots in the race for their open state representative seat, where Republican Andrew Shepherd leads by fewer than a dozen votes over Democrat Margaret Scarsdale. Further to the east, a trickle of eligible votes counted after the initial Election Day burst has slashed Georgetown Rep. Leonard Mirra's tight margin to a nearly microscopic one. It wasn't clear Tuesday whether any more ballots are still outstanding, but a recount appears likely to decide whether the incumbent Republican secures a sixth term or first-time Democratic challenger Kristin Kassner flips the seat.”

A message from NextEra Energy:

HEALEY WATCH

— HISTORIC BIASES: Maura Healey is the first woman and first openly gay person elected governor of Massachusetts. Yet even in her resounding 29-point victory, UMass Amherst pollsters and researchers say sexism — but not anti-gay attitudes — hurt her candidacy.

“Among those with the most sexist views, 30 percent supported Healey and 65 percent reported that they supported the Republican candidate, Geoff Diehl. Among those with the least sexist views, 95 percent supported Healey and 4 percent supported Diehl. Meanwhile, attitudes toward lesbian, gay and bisexual people are also associated with Massachusetts voters’ choices in 2022. Those with the most antigay views preferred Diehl over Healey by a 74-22 margin, while those with the least antigay attitudes backed Healey over Diehl by a margin of 82 to 12,” the UMass Amherst researchers, led by UMass Poll director Tatishe Nteta, wrote in the Washington Post .

“However, these findings do not account for other important factors, such as partisan affiliation, ideology, gender, race, income, education or beliefs about the Massachusetts economy, which also influence voters’ candidate choices. When we ran a statistical model that included these factors as controls, we found that while sexism predicted Massachusetts voters’ decisions, attitudes toward lesbian, gay and bisexual people did not,” they wrote.

— “Healey has said she lives in Boston. In reality, the governor-elect moved out of the city months ago,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “For years, Maura Healey has said she is a Bostonian, living first in Charlestown before last year moving to the South End. As of Tuesday afternoon, the governor-elect’s campaign website said she lives in Boston. State campaign records had, too. But in reality, Healey quietly moved to Cambridge months before her election victory last week, a relocation she had not shared with campaign finance officials, the general public, and even some supporters. Even now, aides to the attorney general can’t say whether she will return to Boston, though they are calling her move to an apartment in Porter Square temporary. The Democrat relocated there in July, according to her campaign, and registered to vote in Cambridge on Aug. 9, election officials in that city said.”

— “Climate activists call on Maura Healey to embrace rules she struck down as AG,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “A group of climate activists are calling on the state’s Democratic governor-elect to push for stricter building codes which they say will help the state meet its climate goals and lower heating costs for consumers. ‘The time for half measures is over in Massachusetts,’ Logan Malik, executive director of Massachusetts Climate Action Network said following a virtual meeting held Tuesday. ‘We need Governor-elect (Maura) Healey to step in and deliver on equitable building decarbonization and the adoption of an all-electric, truly net zero stretch code.’”

— "New Governor 101: A primer on the 9 incoming state executives," by POLITICO staff: "Meet America’s new class of governors — a diverse group of political newcomers and seasoned politicians who flipped party control, broke centuries-old barriers and helped deliver a record 12 female state executives nationwide."

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DAY IN COURT

— “Former head of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe sentenced to three years in prison for bribery,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “The former chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for soliciting a $10,000 bribe, gym equipment, and a weekend stay at an upscale hotel from a Rhode Island architectural firm that was overseeing the tribe’s plans for a $1 billion casino in Taunton. As he sat in a wheelchair facing the judge, Cedric Cromwell, 57, who suffers from a variety of health ailments, asked ‘for some measure of mercy’ and said he was deeply sorry for hurting the tribe and bringing shame to his family.”

— “State to get $61M from Walmart opioid settlement,” by Christian M. Wade, Daily News of Newburyport: “Massachusetts is getting another tranche of money for treatment and prevention of drug addiction under a new multistate settlement with retail giant Walmart concerning the company’s alleged role in fueling a nationwide opioid crisis. On Tuesday, Walmart proposed a $3.1 billion settlement to resolve allegations that it improperly dispensed OxyContin and other powerful prescription opioids at its pharmacies. Massachusetts will receive more than $61 million from the deal, which will be shared with cities and towns, according to the Attorney General Maura Healey’s office.”

ROE FALLOUT

— “Next up: abortion politics goes local,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Reproductive Equity Now, an advocacy group that endorsed candidates for last week’s state elections, is asking municipal leaders who have committed to support abortion to deliver on an array of proposals to advance reproductive rights in their communities. … Some of the items are directly related to abortion, such as installing vending machines that carry emergency contraception. Other initiatives seek to ease the burden on those who bear children by providing free menstrual products in schools, libraries, and public buildings, creating affordable child care programs, and hosting forums on maternal health.”

WARREN REPORT

— "Elizabeth Warren wants to pass a major crypto bill. Sherrod Brown says not so fast," by Zachary Warmbrodt and Eleanor Mueller, POLITICO: "The crypto meltdown triggered by digital currency exchange FTX is spurring bipartisan calls for legislation to set rules for the industry — but at least one powerful lawmaker is urging caution. ... Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Tuesday that a digital currency bill must be 'comprehensive,' covering consumer protections, anti-money laundering rules and climate safeguards for crypto mining."

FROM THE 413

— “Holyoke Soldiers Home interim superintendent wins permanent job in 4-2 vote by trustees,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “National Guard Col. Michael Lazo ascended from interim superintendent to the permanent leader of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke after a 4-2 vote by trustees on Nov. 8. Lazo was appointed as interim in December 2020 as the home was coming off a disastrous year when the coronavirus swiftly claimed the lives of 84 veterans and sickened dozens more.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “US Justice Department launches investigation of Worcester police,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “The office of U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael S. Rollins and the U.S. Justice Department are conducting a civil investigation of the Worcester Police Department, attempting to determine whether a pattern of discriminatory practices or excessive use of force exists in the department. The investigation will assess whether Worcester police engage in discriminatory policing based on race or sex. It will include a review of policies, procedures, trainings, investigatory files and data within the department, according to a news release from the U.S. Justice Department."

— “Eric Batista named Worcester’s permanent city manager,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “After stops and starts at Worcester City Council and controversy regarding a nationwide search process, Worcester has a new permanent city manager. In an 8 to 3 vote, the City Council voted to appoint Eric Batista as the next city manager at its meeting on Tuesday. The council voted to suspend a nationwide search process in order to do so.”

— “Five Massachusetts district attorney offices receive state grant to combat human trafficking,” by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald.

— “What could the new Cape Cod Canal bridges look like?” by Ross Cristantiello, Boston.com.

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— “Reaction from NH Republicans mixed after Trump announces presidential bid,” by Adam Sexton, WMUR: “Longtime Trump supporter state Rep. Al Baldasaro, R-Londonderry, was in Florida for Trump's announcement. ‘I think he's the only one that's the real deal, that tells it like it is,’ Baldasaro said. Other key Trump allies in New Hampshire now hold top party posts, such as Republican National Committee member Chris Ager. His position requires him to remain neutral, and he said he'll stay that way until a nominee is selected."

MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND

— "Trump’s former RI campaign chair on 2024 bid: ‘It’s time to move on’," by Sarah Doiron, WPRI: "[Joe] Trillo, who served as the chairman of Trump’s 2016 campaign in Rhode Island, believes the former president doesn’t stand a chance. ... Meanwhile, Rep. David Cicilline is working to prevent Trump from ever holding office again. In a letter to House Democrats Tuesday night, Cicilline said he’s drafting legislation that would bar Trump from holding office under the Fourteenth Amendment due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol."

A message from NextEra Energy:

Seabrook Station has provided Massachusetts with low-cost, clean, reliable energy for over 30 years, reducing carbon emissions regionally by approximately 4 million tons per year. Nuclear energy is Massachusetts’ most cost-effective and essential tool to combat climate change.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Nora Bent, executive director of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, Brad Wyatt, Stephanie Harris, Jonathan Ng and Minda Conroe, managing director for J Strategies Inc.

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