 | BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY | Presented by McDonald's | BAY STATE TAKEOVER — Does Joe Biden's campaign run on Massachusetts? Biden HQ may be based in Delaware. But the president’s reelection operation has a strong Bay State influence — several of the campaign’s top brass once called Massachusetts home. Jen O’Malley Dillon, who grew up in Jamaica Plain and Franklin, is taking the reins once more after steering Biden to victory in 2020. (She’s also a cousin of former Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley.). Manchester-by-the-Sea native, former U.S. ambassador and past MA-03 congressional candidate Rufus Gifford is serving as the campaign’s finance chair after leaving his post in the Biden administration. Roger Lau , a longtime adviser of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and a graduate of UMass Amherst, is working as an adviser for the campaign’s fundraising arm, the Biden Victory Fund. Warren alum Sarafina Chitika and Sen. Ed Markey alum Colleen Coffey are also on Team Biden this cycle. And the list goes on. There is certainly a “Massachusetts influence around HQ,” North Reading native and Biden deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty told Playbook. Flaherty once rolled into the office sporting a Kowloon shirt — only to find another staffer wearing the same thing. “You can definitely pick up on some Boston accents around here,” he joked.
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President Joe Biden likes to spend time in Massachusetts. And quite a few of his reelection campaign staffers have ties to the state. | Susan Walsh/AP | Biden’s ties to Massachusetts run deep — beyond the annual Thanksgiving pilgrimages to Nantucket. When the then-Delaware senator launched his 1988 presidential campaign, he tapped eventual Boston political communications giant Larry Rasky to run communications for the operation. Decades later, when he was eyeing a 2016 White House bid, Biden wanted Warren on the ticket . And after he took office in 2021, he brought many a Massachusetts politician with him — tapping then-Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, former Sen. John Kerry, former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, then-state House Majority Leader Claire Cronin and others for positions in his administration. Massachusetts is “a natural sort of feeding ground into Democratic politics,” Flaherty said. “It might not be a presidential battleground state, but it's a place where we have a lot of volunteers, we have a lot of great supporters.” (Biden, FWIW, is expected to easily win Massachusetts’ Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, in which he faces only nominal opposition from newly returned candidate Marianne Williamson and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, who is continuing his campaign effectively in name only.). Down in Delaware, Massachusetts folks keep the spirit of home alive. There’s a group chat called “full throttle ” with a few Red Sox fans, Flaherty said, including Brian Fallon, a St. John’s Prep alum and the campaign communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris. (Optimism about the team’s prospects is low, and at least one person has floated switching their allegiance to Delaware's Wilmington Blue Rocks.) Bay Staters on staff are also known to go out of their way for Dunkin’. The campaign’s digital operation — which as of late includes TikTok — is also “extremely Bostonian,” Flaherty said. Flaherty and Dorchester native Clarke Humphrey are the Bay State brains behind those efforts. Flaherty swears, despite jokes to the contrary , that he isn’t behind the Dark Brandon account trolling Republicans on X (formerly Twitter). He did, however, float the possibility of a Boston-accented iteration of the Biden meme account. “It is not me. But whoever it is is doing a great job,” he said. “Maybe I’ll start Dahk Brandon.” GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Don’t get us started on all the Bay State pols supporting Biden's reelection effort, or the Massachusetts connections over at the Democratic National Committee. On second thought, do! Drop us a line if you’re a DNC staffer with ties that bind you to the Bay State: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com . TODAY — is the last day to vote early in person for the state's presidential primaries. Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Healey’s partner Joanna Lydgate attend the Wonderfund Period Party at 10 a.m. at Big Night Live. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) speaks at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston at 12:30 p.m. Markey tours Steward’s Good Samaritan hospital at 2:15 p.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at the Office of Black Male Advancement’s Empowerment Summit at 10 a.m. in Roxbury. THE WEEKEND — Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley campaigns at the Sheraton in Needham at 8 p.m. Saturday, and in Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine, on Sunday. SUNDAY SHOWS — Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox is WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is on NBC10's "At Issue" at 11:30 a.m.
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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 . | | | |  | MAHTY MONITOR |
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President Joe Biden shakes hands with then-Labor Secretary Marty Walsh at the White House. | Susan Walsh/AP | LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION — Marty Walsh could be the newest governor of the U.S. Postal Service. President Joe Biden nominated Walsh to the Postal Service's Board of Governors, which effectively oversees the service's operations. Walsh told Playbook he’s not leaving his plum perch as the head of the NHL Players' Association. And he said if he’s approved to the Postal Service board — which only meets a handful of times a year — he won’t take the $30,000 annual salary and will serve in a volunteer capacity. “I love my job with the players’ union,” the former Boston mayor said. “This is an honor that the president has asked me to serve.” Biden’s first Labor secretary will again have to go through a Senate confirmation process for the gig. If he wins a stamp of approval, he’ll have power in selecting the next postmaster general. And that is reviving a perennial rumor in Boston political circles: that Rep. Stephen Lynch could succeed previously embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy . Lynch has clashed with DeJoy over the years, but credited him in 2022 for lobbying Republican lawmakers to support postal reforms championed by Democrats. Lynch’s office did not respond Thursday to a request for comment. Lynch and Rep. Jim McGovern were among the 80-plus House Democrats who signed onto a letter last month urging Biden to fill two vacancies on the board amid complaints about slow deliveries and increased costs.
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| | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW . | | | | | | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| MORE ECON DEV DETAILS — Gov. Maura Healey has unveiled more details about what’s in the hulking $3.5 billion economic development bill her team has dubbed the “Mass Leads Act.” Healey is calling for $1 billion to reauthorize the state’s life-sciences initiative for the next 10 years, and another $1 billion to stand up a similar program for climate tech. “We see other states competing hard in this space — California, New York, Colorado, Texas — all investing. I want us to win,” Healey said during an event detailing the initiatives. Healey defended the multi-billion-dollar borrowing bill as realistic, responsible and “rooted in sound fiscal management,” even as the state grapples with seven straight months of below-benchmark tax collections. More from The Boston Globe’s Jon Chesto . CUE THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE — Senators selected Majority Leader Cynthia Creem , Assistant Majority Leader Joan Lovely and Minority Leader Bruce Tarr as their gun-legislation negotiators, putting the architects of each chamber's bill together behind closed doors to hash out the differences. FIFTH TIMES THE CHARM? — The Senate approved a bill Thursday that would modernize sex ed curriculum in schools, marking the fifth time the chamber has advanced such legislation. It doesn’t look like this round will bring any more success in the House, CommonWealth Beacon’s Jennifer Smith reports . — “Meals, hotels and cars, oh my! Healey officials defend plan allowing towns to boost local taxes,” by John L. Micek, MassLive.
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| SPLIT SCREEN — Biden and former President Donald Trump ’s dueling southern border visits on Thursday offered a preview of how the two likely presidential nominees will navigate what’s shaping up to be one of the biggest issues of this election. But even as Biden called on Trump to stop “playing politics with the issue,” the federal border bill remains dead. And so Healey was left to again blast House Republicans for walking away from the deal. She also echoed state House Speaker Ron Mariano in expressing openness to changing how the state runs its emergency assistance program for migrant and homeless families. But she kept it vague, saying: “In order to address capacity concerns, we have to be open to reforms."
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| | A message from McDonald's: 
| | | | | FROM THE HUB |
| — “Boston Teachers Union contract talks kick off amid budget cutting,” by James Vaznis and Maddie Khaw, The Boston Globe: “The Boston Teachers Union attempted to drum up public support for a new contract Thursday, calling for fair wages and a host of other proposals at a highly-publicized press conference. ... The [contract] talks kicked off as Boston Public Schools prepares to slash hundreds of positions and close dozens of classrooms in an effort to balance next year’s budget.” WINTER ISN’T COMING — Meteorological winter is over. So, where was the snow? Meteorologist Danielle Noyes digs in for WBUR.
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| STRIKE THREAT — The president of the union that represents car inspectors and coach cleaners at Keolis, the French company that oversees MBTA Commuter Rail operations, is warning T officials that workers will strike if legally given the opportunity as they continue to go without a contract. They took to a MBTA Board meeting to voice concerns about low pay and poor benefits.
| | DAY IN COURT |
| — “Mass. Airman accused of leaking classified docs expected to plead guilty,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “The Massachusetts Air National guardsman accused of leaking top secret government documents online is expected to plead guilty at a federal court hearing next week. Jack Teixeira, of North Dighton, was arrested last April and charged with six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Each count carries up to 10 years in prison.”
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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 . | | | | | | | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS |
| FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — John Deaton says his U.S. Senate campaign isn't solely focused on cryptocurrency. But he is going to Colorado this weekend for a big blockchain festival to tout his memoir and seek support in his bid against crypto critic Sen. Elizabeth Warren , his campaign said. Speakers at the 10-day event include Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis . CHALLENGE ACCEPTED — Longtime state Rep. Tom Stanley and Waltham Democratic activist Heather May are headed for a rematch in the 9th Middlesex District. May is launching her repeat campaign today after narrowly losing the 2022 Democratic primary. Stanley plans to kick off his reelection campaign at a March 12 event with a host committee that includes nearly all of House leadership and recently reelected Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy .
| | THE PRESSLEY PARTY |
| PRESSLEY KEEPS UP CEASE-FIRE CALLS — Rep. Ayanna Pressley says support for a cease-fire in Gaza is growing. And she's pointing to Michigan, where 13 percent of voters voted "uncommitted" in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary amid a campaign encouraging them to select that option to protest Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, as an example. “Voters are not happy with the United States’ handling of the war in Gaza, and President Biden must change course,” Pressley said in a speech at the U.S. Capitol.
| | MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE |
| NO LONGER TAKING N.H. FOR GRANITE — Biden allies are launching New Hampshire’s Women for Biden-Harris coalition today as the president who passed on the state’s Democratic presidential primary amid an intraparty spat over this year’s nominating calendar gears up to compete there in the general election.
| | WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING |
| — “Steward hospital system receives higher insurance payments than many in Mass,” by Liz Kowalczyk, The Boston Globe: “Steward Health Care executives have repeatedly blamed the financial disaster unfolding at their Massachusetts hospitals on stingy payments from health insurers. … But a recent analysis provided to The Globe shows that Steward’s hospitals as a group are paid the same as or better than many Massachusetts hospital systems for the medical care they provide.”
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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 . | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| SPOTTED — former state senator and gubernatorial candidate Sonia Chang-Diaz at the State House on Thursday around the time
PAYWALL:
lawmakers were honoring the late state Sen. Sue Tucker .
Senators say final goodbye to Sue Tucker
https://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/north_of_boston/senators-say-final-goodbye-to-sue-tucker/article_a93a7e82-2af8-59c0-96b6-c7a752ad9446.html
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. John Lawn, Hannah Klain, Dan Mead, Max Morningstar and Henry Richardson . HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Kevin Madden, Joseph Gravellese and John Krol , who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers state Sen. Barry Finegold and Grace Nowakoski . NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE TROLLEY PROBLEM — The Boston Globe’s Tiana Woodard discusses what reparations could look like in Boston. Host Jennifer Smith unpacks Milton’s MBTA Communities Law mess with host Steve Koczela . Host Lisa Kashinsky spills the tea on Sen. Elizabeth Warren ‘s new challenger, John Deaton . 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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