 | BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY | Presented by McDonald's | PASSING THE BUCKS — What do you do when you’re a Democrat in a deep-blue state sitting on a pile of cash without a race of your own to use it on? Spend it elsewhere, of course. That’s exactly what Rep. Seth Moulton did on Tuesday , when he gathered prominent Bay State Democrats and a half-dozen U.S. representatives and congressional candidates at a French restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay to launch a Victory Fund for Serve America, the political action committee he founded to help elect Democrats with service backgrounds (military or otherwise). Moulton and Serve America have raised or contributed over $1 million this cycle to Democrats in key congressional races through direct contributions, email solicitations and party dues. Tuesday night’s event alone raised more than $600,000, a Moulton aide told Playbook.
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Rep. Seth Moulton is fundraising for Democrats facing tougher races. | John Locher/AP | Moulton is far from the only member of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation putting their dollars — from their individual campaign accounts and from their PACs — behind their colleagues in other states without much to spend it on here at home. Rep. Lori Trahan has given more than $315,000 this cycle, including dues, a spokesperson said, with $65,000 going specifically to “frontline” House Democrats, or those most at risk of losing reelection. Rep. Jake Auchincloss runs his own PAC and has given more than $200,000 to candidates, state parties and in dues, a spokesperson said. He held a fundraiser in Boston on Tuesday for Will Rollins, a California Democrat making another run at a U.S. House seat the party hopes to flip. Meanwhile, Rep. Ayanna Pressley is campaigning for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) for California’s open U.S. Senate seat. Pressley’s PAC is also supporting at-risk House progressives such as Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.). Elizabeth Warren has fundraised for her Democratic Senate colleagues and for one of Lee’s rivals in California, Rep. Katie Porter — though she’ll likely have to hold onto her resources now that she’s facing more competition in her reelection bid. Reps. Richard Neal, Jim McGovern and Stephen Lynch have also donated directly to their colleagues this cycle, per FEC reports. These aren’t selfless acts. Helping elect other Democrats — particularly those in more competitive races — helps safe-seat members build their credibility and branding beyond their districts and party dues. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark climbed the ranks in no small part because of the work she did helping Democrats win the House majority in 2018. Moulton helped with that, too — more than half of the Democratic candidates who flipped House seats that year were backed by Serve America. Moulton is hoping for a similar success rate this year , starting with the slate of candidates he brought to Boston on Tuesday: Reps. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) and Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), and Democratic challengers Sarah Klee Hood in New York, Lanon Baccam in Iowa and Mike O’Brien in Pennsylvania. “Every one of these seats is a seat that Republicans could win. And these candidates give people hope that they can [stop that from happening],” Moulton told Playbook. “If Donald Trump wins the presidency and if the Senate goes Republican … then the House will once again be the backstop of democracy, the only check against Donald Trump. So we have got to flip the House. It is the best investment in Democratic politics today.” GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Speaking of fundraisers, Gov. Maura Healey also hosted one on Tuesday — for Tammy Murphy , the first lady of New Jersey, who’s running for U.S. Senate there. The high-dollar event was at the home of former U.S. Ambassador Alan Solomont. TODAY — Healey participates in Granite Telecommunications’ annual “Saving by Shaving” event at 9:30 a.m. in Quincy. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll chairs a Governor’s Council meeting and speaks at the Newburyport State of the City; Auditor Diana DiZoglio attends. Auchincloss is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. Tips? Scoops? Fundraisers? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com.
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| | A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $700 million to Massachusetts’ economy, supporting over 14,350 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Massachusetts generated nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma . | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| CLIMATE TECH, AI & LIFE SCI — Gov. Maura Healey keeps offering more glimpses into the economic development bill she plans to file this week. The legislation will call to reauthorize the state’s life sciences investment initiative, create a similar climate-tech program and spend $100 million on an “Applied AI Hub,” all to help generate new jobs. MassWorks, the state’s Rural Development Fund and the Seaport Economic Council would also see new infusions of cash, Healey announced during a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum on Tuesday. There’s still no word on the total dollar figure for the borrowing bill. Despite months of less-than-stellar revenues, Healey pointed to the state’s “excellent” bond rating as cause for optimism. ON THE DOCKET — The Governor's Council could vote today on whether to approve Healey's former romantic partner and appellate court Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian to the state's top court. Wolohojian largely escaped questions during a hearing last week about potential conflicts of interest or recusals, and one councilmember now tells The Boston Globe it was because she felt "uncomfortable" to ask the judge about it so "blatantly." DEPARTURE LOUNGE — Longtime Newton state Rep. Kay Khan is the latest legislator to announce she won’t be seeking another term this fall, the Fig City News reports . It’s the second open House seat representing the city, after state Rep. Ruth Balser announced her plans to retire at the end of her term. STEPPING UP — Plymouth Republican Dee Wallace Spencer plans to launch her campaign on March 7 for the seat GOP state Rep. Mathew Muratore is giving up as he runs for state Senate. — “Healey's municipal reform plan criticized, praised,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Open government advocates are among critics pushing back against Gov. Maura Healey’s proposal to make permanent pandemic-related municipal policies, arguing that the plan falls short on government transparency. The legislation would make permanent COVID-19 pandemic-era policies like allowing communities to host hybrid public meetings and authorizing restaurants to offer outdoor dining and sell to-go cocktails with takeout food orders."
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| DON’T FOLLOW SUIT — State officials warned there would be consequences for cities and towns that fail to comply with the MBTA Communities law. Now Milton is facing them — both from the Healey administration (which revoked a grant from the town last week) and now from Attorney General Andrea Campbell , who filed a lawsuit on Tuesday asking the state’s top court to order Milton to pass a compliant zoning plan within three months . It’s a warning sign to other communities considering ignoring the law — including towns like Holden, which is already facing a lawsuit from housing advocacy groups for its noncompliance. Healey said she “strongly” supports the lawsuit in a GBH “Boston Public Radio” interview . But even as they push punishments, both Healey and Campbell insist they want to find solutions. "This is not about a fight or fighting each other," Campbell said at a press conference. "This is about working to address the housing crisis.” GO DEEPER — "Milton Select Board divided on next steps," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon.
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| | A message from McDonald's: 
| | | | | PARTY POLITICS |
| DIEHL is an extremist, discarded by the majority of Massachusetts voters and he can't SHUT UP.
DIEHL received 34.6% of the vote and defines all that is wrong with the MASS GOP. How many more elections will he loose?
MORE FIGHTS! MORE SKIRMISHES!
DRUMROLL PLEASE — Geoff Diehl’s big announcement: He wants a debate against conservative radio host Howie Carr over the slates of candidates they’re backing for the Republican State Committee in next week’s elections.
Diehl is backing the “Massachusetts Freedom Slate” of conservatives (including himself and his wife, KathyJo Boss ) who, if they win enough seats, could potentially knock out Amy Carnevale as MassGOP chair before her term is up . Carr is backing candidates who are generally more friendly to Carnevale and, in this iteration of the GOP, considered more “establishment.” Jeff Kuhner, who hosts “The Kuhner Report” radio show that this all went down on, sounded disappointed on air. He, like Carr and other Republican activists, thought Diehl was going on the show to say he was running for state GOP chair, or that he was going to go ahead with the state Senate bid he’s been mulling. Instead, Diehl pitched a debate that’s never going to happen. He said he’s not looking to lead the state Republican Party. And he said the former chair, Jim Lyons , isn’t either. One thing that’s clear from this kerfuffle: Diehl’s still salty about Carr backing his GOP primary rival, Chris Doughty , in the last governor’s race. In a post on X on Tuesday, Diehl accused the MassGOP of taking $10,000 from Carr’s wife only to turn around and pay Carr’s radio show in what he alleged was a “Pay-To-Play” scheme. But the MassGOP already said the $500-per-month payments are being made to cover outstanding invoices for advertisements authorized by Lyons in support of Diehl’s failed gubernatorial bid. MUST READ! LORI KAUFFMAN IS A REAL WHACK-A-DING!
excerpt:
Also on the ballot for First Suffolk District MassGOP Committeewoman is Elizabeth Hinds-Ferrick, a doctorally educated assistant director at the state Department of Transitional Assistance. Running for Committeeman are Daniel Kelly and Timothy Smyth.
Meanwhile, the MassGOP is denouncing a different candidate running for State Committee after she appeared to post anti-Semitic, anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ comments on X. It's not the first time the party has done so: The State Committee passed a resolution in December condemning her “repugnant views” and urging her not to run for a seat.
| | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| TIME OF TRANSITION — Rep. Jake Auchincloss ’ PAC is undergoing a rebrand to focus more specifically on electing a Democratic majority to pass “meaningful legislation to combat gun violence,” Auchincloss spokesperson Matt Corridoni first told Playbook. Auchincloss is planning to relaunch the MA 4 Dems PAC in mid-March under the name Beyond Thoughts and Prayers. He’ll hold a corresponding event in Newton featuring Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), a former spokesperson and faith and outreach leader for Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, whose son was killed in a shooting in 2012. But he’ll be moving forward without Corridoni, a political communications veteran and Rep. Seth Moulton , Pete Buttigieg and DCCC alum. Auchincloss’ office is seeking a communications director, according to a job posting first reported by WPRI’s Ted Nesi . Corridoni won’t say where he’s going.
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| | On the ground in Albany. Get critical policy news and analysis inside New York State. Track how power brokers are driving change across legislation and budget and impacting lobbying efforts. Learn more . | | | | | | | FROM THE HUB |
| — “Boston Mayor Wu kills her plan to move O’Bryant school after community blowback, source says,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “A controversial plan to move the highly rated O’Bryant School to West Roxbury has been killed following community blowback, marking a major setback for Mayor Michelle Wu, who proposed and touted it as a ‘transformative investment’ for the city.”
| | FROM THE 413 |
| — “Northampton council to take up cease-fire resolutions in online-only meeting Tuesday night,” by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “One of those resolutions calls for ‘an immediate, enduring and permanent cease-fire by both sides, suspension of unrestricted military aid from the United States, the provision of unrestricted, life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza, and the release of all hostages taken by Hamas and Palestinian political detainees.’ The other resolution calls for support of Jewish, Arab and Muslim members of the Northampton community, and condemns antisemitism and Islamophobia. A third resolution … calls for a cease-fire, but adds to calling on the United States to halt all weapons sales to Israel.”
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| | A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Massachusetts, contributing over $700 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 11,600 Massachusettsans and supporting an additional 2,750 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Massachusetts began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support Massachusetts through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $700,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 7,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Massachusetts. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma . | | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — “Brockton police chief says school security plan must be reviewed in light of disruption at high school,” by Lila Hempel-Edgers, The Boston Globe.
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| SPOTTED — mingling and snacking on charcuterie and fennel flatbreads at the Serve America Victory Fund launch at Boston’s Rochambeau restaurant: Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll , Auditor Diana DiZoglio , Veterans Secretary Jon Santiago , state Reps. Manny Cruz, Kristen Kassner, Thomas Walsh, Jerry Parisella and Shirley Arriaga ; Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn and Governor’s Councilor Eileen Duff . HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sean Fitzgerald, former state environmental affairs secretary and current Fisheries and Wildlife Board Vice Chair Bob Durand, POLITICO’s Charlie Mahtesian, Ben Gundersheimer and Li-Dor David. Happy belated to Chaim Bloom, who celebrated Tuesday. 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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