 | By Kelly Garrity | SAY HER NAME: AMBER NICOLE THURMAN DIED DUE TO GEORGIA'S ABORTION BAN!
GEORGIA ON HER MIND — The way Ayanna Pressley sees it, Democrats need to organize as though voters’ lives depend on it — “Because they do,” she told Playbook. One example she pointed to: Amber Thurman, one of two Georgia women who ProPublica recently found died a preventable death after her care was complicated by the state’s abortion law. Thurman’s story is on voters’ minds there, said Pressley, who just wrapped a busy trip stumping for the Harris-Walz ticket in the critical battleground state. President Joe Biden’s prospects in the state that helped him secure a victory in 2020 were faltering before he dropped out of the race. With Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket, “we saw a new electoral map and a new coalition of voters emerging in real time,” Pressley told Playbook over the phone Sunday after finishing her two-day campaign sweep. “What I'm most heartened by is the number of people for whom this is the first time that they’re phone banking, the first time they're canvassing, the first time that they have decided to lean in so actively in the process,” she said. But the polls say Georgia is still a fight between Harris and former President Donald Trump. A CBS News/YouGov survey out yesterday showed Harris leading Trump 51-49 percent in battleground states including Georgia — within the poll’s +/-2.2 percentage point margin of error. And a rule approved Friday by Georgia’s election board requiring ballots to be hand counted could open results up to legal challenges down the road. Pressley spent the weekend helping launch a handful of field offices in counties across the state, and joined a gun safety forum with former Rep. Gabby Giffords, a gun violence survivor, and her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) before speaking at an Atlanta church on Sunday. It’s not the first time Pressley has boosted the campaign in a swing state (she joined Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) for a campaign event on abortion over the summer). Her roles as a member of the Stop Project 2025 task force and, amid the firestorm over false claims about Haitian migrants eating pets, as the co-chair of the Haiti caucus, have put her in a prime position to help message for Harris. Plus, with no opponent on the ballot this year, Pressley has the time to hit the national trail — which’ll help build more goodwill with a possible presidential pick. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . The Emerald Square Mall’s rodeo turned into an impromptu Attleboro bull run yesterday after a herd hopped the fence. Heads up if you’re in the area: There’s one still on the loose, as of last night. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu deliver a signed Celtics basketball to the Hugh Roe O’Donnell elementary school to raise awareness about the importance of school attendance at 10:30 a.m. in East Boston. Healey speaks at the World Medical Innovation Forum at 1 p.m. in Everett and hosts a signing ceremony for a bill expanding protections for victims of sexual assault at 2:30 p.m. at the State House. She and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attend the New England Council’s annual celebration at 7 p.m. in Boston. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com .
|  | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| ECO DEV UPDATE — An agreement on a long-awaited economic development bill could be coming in "the next few weeks." “We are having great negotiations,” state Sen. Barry Finegold, who chairs the economic development committee, said during an interview on WCVB’s “On the Record,” Sunday. “And I do think we’re going to get something done. … I actually think in the next few weeks I think we’ll get something done.” Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation is out with a report emphasizing the need to get the billion-dollar borrowing bill passed — sooner rather than later, for the sake of the state’s competitiveness. “The consistent inability to enact planned legislation over a two-year session indicates a policymaking process that is not working effectively,” a release from MTF reads. “The fact that the legislation in question defines and implements core elements of the state’s economic development plan sends the wrong message to communities and employers in the state who are looking to work with the public sector to expand economic opportunity and respond to changing conditions.” MEANWHILE — “Does the legislative clock and calendar matter on Beacon Hill?,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald. PAYWALL FOR THE BOSTON HERALD RAG! — “Who will investigate the State Police Academy death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia?” by Sean Cotter, The Boston Globe: “In 1988, the shocking death of a police trainee and the hospitalization of at least 10 others from injuries they suffered at a State Police-run academy led the attorney general’s office to turn to a rarely used legal process: a public judicial inquest. Now, a week after trainee Enrique Delgado-Garcia died at the State Police Academy, advocates have urged state authorities to consider that type of investigation again, amid calls for transparency in the probe into how he suffered fatal injuries during training in a boxing ring.” RELATED — “State police suspend full-contact boxing training after trooper’s death,” by Lisa Gresci, 7 News Boston.
| | FROM THE HUB |
| — “Boston’s Black, Latino, Asian families are making more money, but income gaps remain, census data show,” by Tiana Woodard and Vince Dixon, The Boston Globe: “Since 2013, the median income of Black Boston households has grown 16 percent, and its grown 30 percent for both the typical Latino and Asian American family in Boston, when adjusted for inflation, according to data released last week by the US Census Bureau. However, white families in Boston still earn tens of thousands of dollars more a year and are the only group to exceed more than $100,000 in median household income, the data show.” WATCH — “Mayor dazzles with piano performance at Boston Symphony Orchestra's free concert,” by Mary Saladna, WCVB.
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS |
| FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Sen. Elizabeth Warren has endorsed Tom Driscoll in his campaign for Essex County Clerk of Courts, according to his campaign. — Rep. Lori Trahan is endorsing former Methuen City Councilor Eunice Zeigler for Governor’s Council in District 5. ON THE AIRWAVES — Peabody city councilor and Republican District 5 Governor’s Council candidate Anne Manning-Martin is up with a radio ad today titled “Uniquely Qualified,” highlighting Manning-Martin’s resume. The 60-second ad will run for two weeks on stations in Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
| | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
| — “The tide is ‘wicked high.’ It’s a glimpse into Boston’s future if climate change continues to worsen,” by Erin Douglas, The Boston Globe: “At high tide around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, the water easily overtopped Long Wharf’s sea wall downtown, intriguing tourists and thrilling at least two local dogs that went for a brief swim. ... Scientists say that while the phenomenon is exceptional now, this level of flooding could become common in the coming decades if climate change continues to worsen.”
| | — “After non-endorsement, Teamsters’ Sean O’Brien says Democrats have ‘taken the working men and women for granted,’” by Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe.
| | FROM THE 413 |
| — “Council resolution would declare Northampton a transgender sanctuary city,” by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The resolution, brought forward by Ward 2 Councilor Deborah Klemer and Ward 7 Councilor Rachel Maiore, would have Northampton commit to never using city resources for detaining persons for seeking or providing gender-affirming care, including affirmation surgery or hormone therapy; and would also commit to never cooperating with or providing information to individual or out-of-state agencies regarding any lawful gender-affirming care in Massachusetts.” — “Community college faculty sound alarm on salaries,” by Alexa Lewis, Greenfield Recorder: “Without greater investment in salaries for faculty and staff at community colleges in Massachusetts, a free tuition program launched this summer to great fanfare may be ‘doomed to fail.’ That’s the alarm some education leaders are sounding as they call for better pay for faculty and staff that are struggling to make ends meet.” — “The Clarksburg Police Department disbands as its chief, Michael Williams, retires,” by Jane Kaufman, The Berkshire Eagle. — “Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi arrested outside of MGM Springfield,” by Luis Fieldman, MassLive.
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi was arrested outside of the MGM Springfield casino on Saturday and charged with a single count of operating under the influence, according to a spokesperson for Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office. Cocchi was released on personal recognizance and the attorney general’s office expects he will be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Monday morning. | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — “Sudbury may be next Massachusetts town to take down ‘one-sided’ historical signs,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “Sudbury is exploring whether it should become the next Massachusetts town to remove signs commemorating the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and if there’s a better way to present the complicated history.” — “Brockton cop suspended after slamming into Jeep. Questions of cover-up hang over case,” by Chris Helms, The Brockton Enterprise: “Brockton's top cop suspended a sergeant without pay for three days after he rammed his SUV into a family's Jeep at the light in front of Brockton High School, totaling both vehicles. Sgt. Stanley David had at least three vodka tonics at a police fundraiser at Brockton Country Club and possibly another at Brack's Grille & Tap before he crashed on the way home, according to an internal affairs report made public Friday. A whistleblower emailed the city alleging that the officer was drunk and that local authorities tried to cover up the incident.” — “School shooter drill readies first responders for the unthinkable. What they learned,” by Peter Blandino, The Patriot Ledger.
SAGAMORE BRIDGE: WORTH READING! — “What is the construction start date for Sagamore Bridge? Here's the latest,” by Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times.
| | IN MEMORIAM |
| ‘HE LIVED AND BREATHED METHUEN’ — Tributes poured out over the weekend for Methuen Mayor Neil Perry, who died Saturday. He was 65. "Mayor Perry has fought many health battles over the last several years but came back from each of them with renewed vigor to tackle, in his own words, the greatest job he ever had: being the mayor of the great City of Methuen," his office said in a statement Saturday night. Perry, a Democrat, was sworn into office in 2020 and won his third term last year. He had been battling kidney disease leading up to his death, the Eagle Tribune’s Bill Kirk and Jill Harmacinski report . Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll described Perry as a “wonderful and caring person, and a strong and courageous leader.” “He loved Methuen deeply and was a steadfast advocate for the city and its families,” Sen. Ed Markey said on X . Rep. Lori Trahan, whose district includes Methuen, said in a statement that she was “heartbroken” to hear of Perry’s passing. “He lived and breathed Methuen,” she said. “We will sorely miss his leadership, his determination, and his resilience, and my heart goes out to his family and friends mourning this tremendous loss.” “Our Mayor gave his absolute all to our community — never wavering on his commitments — we will miss him very much,” wrote state Auditor Diana DiZoglio , whose district included Methuen when she served in the state House and Senate. At-large City Councilor D.J. Beauregard will serve as acting mayor until a special election is held to fill the seat. That has to happen less than 60 days from now, per the city’s charter. “Mayor Perry wasn’t just a close ally and mentor - he was my friend . I grieve for the loss our community faces, and I am saddened by the sudden loss of my dear friend,” Beauregard said in a statement. Beauregard previously served as acting mayor when Perry stepped away from office due to an undisclosed illness in February and March of 2023.
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| TRANSITIONS — Outgoing state Rep. Sarah Peake is leaving her seat early to join the Healey administration as a senior advisor for intergovernmental affairs. She starts today. SPOTTED — at a JP for Kamala Harris event Sunday evening that raised more than $100,000 for the campaign: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, former Rep. Barney Frank, Boston City Councilor Ben Weber, former Councilor Matt O’Malley, and state Reps. Samantha Montaño and Bill MacGregor. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Michael Falcone , president of Pearl Street Partners, and Joshua Foer. Happy belated to Tara Wilson of Sen. Ed Markey’s office, who celebrated Sunday. 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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