Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Little competition for legislative seats

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Little competition for legislative seats

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ALMOST NOTHING TO SEE HERE — Massachusetts seems to be on track to keep its title as the state with the least competitive legislative races .

Roughly three-quarters of state lawmakers who are seeking reelection are unlikely to face challengers this year after the deadline to submit certified nomination papers to the secretary of state's office came and went on Tuesday.

As it stands — barring any withdrawals, objections, successful write-in campaigns and unexpected resignations or retirements — just 11 senators and 40 representatives (out of the 181 incumbents running for reelection across both chambers) are facing either primary and/or general-election challengers. While most of the 19 open-seat races are contested, two of them so far have only one candidate apiece.

House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka are among those running unopposed, as are most of the members of their leadership teams who are seeking reelection.

“Legislative primaries have been diminishing over the course of decades and there are barely two parties in Massachusetts [to contest general elections]. It just leaves voters without anywhere to go if they’d rather vote for someone other than the incumbent,” MassINC Polling Group President Steve Koczela, who’s been tracking the decline in legislative competition over the years, told Playbook.

The power of incumbency is particularly strong in Massachusetts by design. Incumbents are listed first on ballots (though municipalities can override that), along with a clear indicator that they’re running for reelection. And lawmakers without challengers can keep padding their war chests to limit their future competition.

The result is a “prohibitive system” that is “not producing good outcomes when it comes to democracy,” Koczela said. “There’s no particular pressure the Legislature feels to do things any differently than they have.”

Massachusetts State House at night

Little competition for legislative seats means less pressure on lawmakers to change things up on Beacon Hill. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

That includes being more transparent. One of the arguments lawmakers have wielded against a certain former colleague’s bid to audit their practices and procedures is that voters have the ultimate check on the Legislature at the ballot box every two years. But in many cases, yet again, they won’t.

There are a few interesting races taking shape. Cambridge state Rep. Marjorie Decker, a staunch progressive, is facing a primary challenge from her left, while neighboring state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, a democratic socialist, is facing a progressive primary challenge for her Somerville district. Dudley state Rep. John Marsi, a Republican who won an uncontested special general election for state Sen. Peter Durant’s former House seat in March, is facing a Democratic challenger in November. Several open seats have drawn at least three candidates.

There are also a few matchups that never materialized, like Mark Rooney’s potential primary challenge to state Rep. David Biele in South Boston and former GOP gubernatorial nominee Geoff Diehl’s rematch against now-Democratic state Sen. Michael Brady.

Ballots aren’t fully finalized yet, though. Candidates can still withdraw and objectors can file challenges with the state Ballot Law Commission — either of which would further shrink what in many cases are already small fields.

And candidates who didn’t make the signature deadlines could still mount write-in campaigns. Republicans have already said they’re eyeing a challenge to state Rep. Chris Flanagan, a Democrat who’s currently running unopposed, after he was caught violating campaign finance law and then lying about it to state regulators.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . It’s all on the line for Boston’s Professional Women’s Hockey League team in tonight’s do-or-die final against Minnesota — as well as for Gov. Maura Healey, who engaged rival-state governor and fellow Democrat Tim Walz in a friendly wager over the outcome . Their deal, as suggested by Healey: “Loser posts a pic in the winning team’s jersey.”

TODAY — Healey speaks at former SJC Chief Justice Ralph Gants’ portrait unveiling at 3 p.m. at the John Adams Courthouse and attends the Catholic Charities spring gala at 7 p.m. at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attends the Abundant Housing MA lobby day at 10 a.m. at the State House and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Foundation Medicine at 1 p.m. in the Seaport. Healey and Driscoll end their day at the PWHL championship game in Lowell.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts an East Boston coffee hour at 9:30 a.m., speaks at a city AAPI Heritage Month event at 4:15 p.m. at City Hall Plaza and speaks at a Mayor’s Youth Council celebration at 6:15 p.m. at BCYF Tobin. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. and chairs a field hearing on “threats to reproductive rights” at 2 p.m. in Boston; Sen. Ed Markey and AG Andrea Campbell attend.

Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Waging a write-in campaign? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .

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A new study published earlier this year revealed that if customers chose a retail electric provider over a utility in 2022 and 2023 the combined savings would have been $1.7 billion. Join the Choose Who You Use coalition to protect electricity choice and preserve Massachusetts ratepayers’ ability to choose the most affordable, renewable options for them. Learn more.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

REBRAND — Gov. Maura Healey has filed legislation to rename the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence to reflect the “changing needs of today’s older adults,” she said in a statement.

— “Senate Plan Starts Response To Home Equity Theft,” by Sam Doran, State House News Service: “Heeding calls from federal and state courts, the Massachusetts Senate has agreed to legislation aimed at preventing the continuation of so-called home equity theft. An amendment added to the fiscal 2025 budget last week would eliminate a municipality's ability to take a property owner's earned equity beyond what is owed in unpaid taxes and ‘reasonably incurred expenses,’ according to the office of amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny. The measure would also apply to private companies that buy tax liens from towns and cities.”

— “Healey expands universal pre-k across 8 Massachusetts school districts,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald.

— “Housing advocates press state lawmakers for solutions to high rents, low availability,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette.

FROM THE HUB

WU WATCH — As her potential rivals float their trial balloons for 2025, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is reactivating her campaign email list. Wu’s campaign touted her transportation triumphs in a Tuesday email: the fare-free bus pilot program she recently extended until March 2026 and the Boston seat on the MBTA’s board of directors that she long advocated for. And she highlighted her “Commute with Me” videos you might have seen on TikTok , where she tags along on Bostonians’ MBTA commutes.

One potential challenger has made his intentions to run known: Jorge Mendoza-Iturralde, a North End restaurateur battling Wu over the outdoor dining restrictions on the neighborhood, does plan to run he told the Boston Herald .

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MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “State housing agency rarely inspects hotels it’s paying to shelter homeless families and migrants, Globe investigation finds,” by Stephanie Ebbert and Deirdre Fernandes, The Boston Globe: “State inspectors have yet to set foot in most of the hotels rented at taxpayer expense to house thousands of homeless families, including migrants, failing to ensure that the hastily arranged accommodations meet basic health and safety standards, a Globe investigation found. Though the state agreed in its shelter contracts to conduct regular inspections, officials examined only 20 of the 128 hotels, apparently in response to complaints, and found some conditions so dismal they had to move residents out.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “Sunday bus service is here to stay,” by Grace Ferguson, The New Bedford Light: “The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority is on track to continue offering Sunday bus service permanently, but its fare-free pilot program could end this summer.”

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PARTY POLITICS

SERVING UP SOME COMPETITION — The Democratic National Committee will nominate President Joe Biden through a “virtual roll call” vote ahead of its August convention in Chicago to ensure he makes Ohio’s ballot. That means Massachusetts Democrats finally have a chance to one-up their neighbors in Rhode Island, who stole the DNC’s virtual roll call show in 2020 by featuring a chef holding calamari (the state’s official appetizer) in their nominating video.

MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan told Playbook that’ll be a tall order. “Massachusetts has had many firsts, but there is only one Calamari Man,” he said. “We have our work cut out for us.”

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

RAFAH FALLOUT — Israel’s weekend strike in Rafah that reportedly killed dozens of displaced Palestinians did not cross the “red line” that Biden set for suspending delivery of offensive weapons to Israel, our colleagues report . But Rep. Ayanna Pressley argues that it has.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “government has crossed your red line,” she posted on X . “Immediate offensive weapons embargo now.”

Rep. Jim McGovern said on WBUR Tuesday that Biden previously pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel was the “right thing to do, but he needs to do more.”

— “Protesters decrying U.S. role in Gaza siege set flag afire outside McGovern’s office,” by James Pentland, Greenfield Recorder.

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THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Bankruptcy filings cast doubt on Optum buyout of Steward’s physicians network,” by Robert Weisman, The Boston Globe: “New documents filed in Steward Health Care’s bankruptcy case cast doubt on whether the troubled hospital system will be able to complete the planned sale of its physicians’ group to Optum — a transaction Steward once saw as a potential financial lifeline. … They indicate dozens of parties have signed nondisclosure agreements allowing them to pore over Steward’s financial data. At the same time, they suggest the company’s May 6 bankruptcy filing — along with a backlash from lawmakers — has complicated the prospects for an Optum buyout of the doctors group.”

RELATED — “Warren urges feds to support Steward communities,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune.

— “Massachusetts DPW director pays $17,000 fine for accepting free ski trips, other gifts,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Danvers DPW Director David Lane has paid a $17,000 civil penalty for violating the state’s conflict of interest law, according to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission. Lane admitted to accepting free ski trips, a golf outing, and a steakhouse dinner from a water meter manufacturer and its distributor, the commission announced on Tuesday. This fine comes after current or former employees of Danvers, Franklin, Natick, Salem, Southampton, and the Sudbury Water District paid civil penalties to resolve similar conflict of interest law violations."

— “'100 percent housing.' Family shelter decisions challenged by Dennis Planning Board,” by Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times: “Housing Assistance Corporation, a nonprofit based in Hyannis, wants to use the 57,000-square-foot site at One Love Lane to house up to 79 families, consolidating its three family shelters in Barnstable, Falmouth, and Bourne. The board members unanimously voted to appeal Dennis Building Commissioner Paul Fowler's earlier decision that the project is an exempt educational use under the state law known as the Dover Amendment.”

— “Harvard leaders adopt policy to avoid speaking officially on social, political topics,” by Carrie Jung, WBUR.

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— “Federal judge strikes down New Hampshire ‘divisive concepts’ classroom law,” by Juan Perez Jr., POLITICO.

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Massachusetts’ utility customers have recently seen some of the highest electric rates in the country, but customers who chose retail electric providers could have saved hundreds of dollars over the last two years. The last thing we should be doing during this moment is eliminating this choice for Massachusetts consumers and forcing people to live under monopoly utility service.

Choose Who You Use is committed to protecting real electricity choice in Massachusetts. We believe the power to choose energy should be in the hands of the people. In Massachusetts, individuals should be able to choose the type of energy they want and how to pay for it. Learn more.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

SPOTTED (though sadly not by us) at Boston Calling — Healey and her partner, Joanna Lydgate , meeting Ed Sheeran backstage before his headlining set on Friday, Megan Johnson reports for People Magazine .

TRANSITIONS — Dan Lothian has been named editor in chief of GBH News and “The World” starting June 1. Tinku Ray , currently managing editor for “The World,” will serve as executive editor of the program.

— Deanna Moran has been appointed chief coastal resilience officer within the state Office of Coastal Zone Management, leading the ResilientCoasts Initiative. Moran currently serves as VP for healthy and resilient communities at the Conservation Law Foundation.

WEDDING BELLS — Vanessa Gatlin , former regional director for Sen. Ed Markey, 2013 Markey Senate campaign staffer and 2012 Senate campaign staffer for Elizabeth Warren, married Patrick Hurley , an ILA clerk, on Sunday at Tupper Manor in Beverly. The couple were married by Nolan O'Brien (Maine Coast Heritage Trust), another former regional director for Sen. Ed Markey. In attendance: Rocco DiRico , Adam Feldman , Mark Gallagher , Juan Gallego , Sam Haass , Julia Koufman Frederick , Erika Scibelli , Kayla Scire, Juana Matias and Christina Warriner .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. Michelle Ciccolo , attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan , Alicia DePaolo , Michael Nichols and Matt Baskin .

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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