 | By Kelly Garrity | BANK ON IT — Members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation filed their first quarter campaign finance reports Tuesday, giving us a glimpse inside their fundraising and spending habits for the first few months of the year. With few facing serious challenges last cycle, most lawmakers aren’t scrambling for campaign cash to refill their coffers. But the money moves do show us where donors are ready to start spending — and offers hints about who might be gearing up for a challenge. TOP DOLLAR — Sen. Elizabeth Warren raised the most money of the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation this quarter, pulling in almost $1.3 million over the last three months. That’s not shocking for a former presidential candidate and national Democratic figure. And like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who posted a jaw-dropping $9.6 million haul this quarter , Warren has been rallying the Democratic grassroots across the country, stopping in Texas and Tennessee earlier this year. SENATE SHADOW BOXING — But it’s Rep. Jake Auchincloss who boasts the biggest war chest. The Newton Democrat has more than $5 million in his campaign coffers, which is more than enough to fuel the whispers about what he plans to do with all that dough. WRPI noted the size of Auchincloss’s war chest in speculating about whether he might mount a challenge to 78-year-old Sen. Ed Markey , who is running for reelection in 2026. The $511,980 Auchincloss brought in during Q1 is less than Markey’s $685,749 haul. Still, he has more than twice as much money in the bank than Markey. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — Newly minted New Hampshire Senate candidate Rep. Chris Pappas raised $655,503 in Q1. Notable: Most of that money started flowing after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced that she wouldn’t be seeking reelection, WMUR’s Adam Sexton pointed out . Rep. Maggie Goodlander, who hasn’t shut the door on the prospect of her own Senate bid, wasn’t far behind in fundriasing, scooping up $532,622. But Pappas has $857,296 on hand, much more than the $446,031 Goodlander closed out March with. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Don't touch the thermostat yet, but it really feels like spring may finally have arrived. ***EVER NOTICE THAT THERE'S ALWAYS A CONSPICUOUS ABSENCE OF REPUBLICANS? DO THEY SHOW UP FOR ANYTHING? REPUBLICANS ARE ALWAYS LOUD & VOCAL WITH CRITICISM, BUT NEVER ANY ACTION!**** TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey attends a “Lanterns and Luminaries” event at 11 a.m. in Boston. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at a Massachusetts Mayors’ Association meeting 9:30 a.m. in Salem, joins an event hosted by The Children's Trust at 11 a.m. at the State House, chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon and attends a preview of Ken Burns’s new film “The American Revolution” at 7:30 p.m. in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a roundtable with Boston Public Schools officials before giving an update on transportation procedures at 10 a.m. in Roxbury and attends the grand opening for Betty Greene Apartments at 11:15 a.m. in Jamaica Plain. Rep. Jim McGovern visits seniors at Whately Town Hall at 11 a.m. in Whatley and a hosts a "Coffee with your Congressman" at 6:30 p.m. in Holden. Rep. Richard Neal attends a groundbreaking for a clinical and support options housing project at 1:30 p.m. in Springfield. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com .
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| | Policy moves fast—stay ahead with POLITICO’s Policy Intelligence Assistant. Effortlessly search POLITICO's archive of 1M+ news articles, analysis documents, and legislative text. Track legislation, showcase your impact, and generate custom reports in seconds. Designed for POLITICO Pro subscribers, this tool helps you make faster, smarter decisions. Start exploring now . | | | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS — Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao is stepping down from her post at the end of the month, The Boston Globe reported Tuesday. Hao is leaving her role to address family matters, but will be around to advise Gov. Maura Healey’s administration after she officially departs at the end of April. Ashley Stolba, the office’s undersecretary of economic foundations, will serve as acting secretary in the interim as the state searches for a permanent replacement. Hao brought an industry background to the government role, winning her points with the state’s business and economic development leaders. So what do they want to see in the Hao’s replacement? "Someone with a similar industry — or perhaps even better a small business ownership background would be great,” Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst told Playbook. “But having said that, Ashley Stolba is terrific, and frankly could seamlessly fit in there longer than just on an interim basis.” “Secretary Hao has led businesses and teams, harnessing innovation to win. Our next secretary of economic development should have the same urgency to move forward every business, industry, and community with policy solutions that unlock our collective potential,” Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney said in a statement. And as for Senate Economic Development Chair Barry Finegold: “I hope they’ll consider Ashley Stolba… Like Secretary Hao, she gets it. She understands the needs of business and is not afraid to reach out and ask businesses what they need.” ****THIS IS HOW DICTATORSHIP BEGINS! SLASHING SCIENCE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH...THESE INCOMPETENTS DON'T EVEN COMPREHEND WHAT THE FUNDING ACCOMPLISHES! THEY DON'T CARE AS LONG AS THEY GET TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY AT YOUR EXPENSE!**** — Healey, UMass Chan leaders warn of negative impacts of NIH funding cuts by Robert Goulston, GBH News: “Gov. Maura Healey and leaders of University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School say the federal government’s cuts to the National Institutes of Health have already had ripple effects in the commonwealth. ‘As a result of the cuts that have happened already by the Trump administration, UMass Chan has had to cut its class sizes, withdraw offers to individuals to come study here and do research,’ Healey said during a visit to the medical school on Tuesday.” THE FIELD IS SET — Beverly City Councilor Hannah Bowen is moving on to the May 13 general election in the race to replace former state Rep. Jerry Parisella. Bowen won the Democratic primary in the 6th Essex District special election Tuesday night, defeating fellow City Councilor Todd Rotondo by about 600 votes. Dive deeper with The Salem News .
PAY WALL BEVERLY — At-Large City Councilor Hannah Bowen won the Democratic primary Tuesday night in the race to replace 6th Essex State Rep. Jerry Parisella.
Bowen garnered 2,733 votes, beating Beverly Ward 1 City Councilor Todd Rotondo who received 2,054 votes, according to unofficial election results.
Bowen will now face Republican Medley Long III in the general election on May 13. Long is former president of the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce and current president of Beverly Homecoming.
Parisella stepped down this winter to be sworn in as a district judge, opening the seat that represents Beverly and Precinct 1 in Wenham for the first time since he was first elected in 2010.
Of Bowen’s votes, 89 came from Precinct 1 in Wenham. Residents there gave 21 votes to Rotondo, with 44.7% of registered Democrats in the precinct voting in Tuesday’s election.
Rotondo won his ward in Beverly, but all other wards went to Bowen, according to unofficial results.
Contact Caroline Enos a CEnos@northofboston.com
| | HAHVAHD YAHD |
| ***THANK YOU HARVARD FOR STANDING UP TO THE BULLY! TRUMP'S 'MANDATES' ARE IRRATIONAL & ILLEGAL! TRUMP COULDN'T READ THE US CONSTITUTION, A WHARTON PROFESSOR DEFINED HIM AS STUPID...BUDGET CUTS WERE FOR RESEARCH THAT WILL REDUCE OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE WITH OTHER NATIONS! WE NEED 'THE BEST & THE BRIGHTEST' RIGHT HERE!****
— Why Harvard is standing its ground against Trump by Jasper Goodman, POLITICO: “The oldest and wealthiest university in America — long a training ground for cultural elites — is quickly becoming a face of the resistance to President Donald Trump. Harvard University vowed this week to fight a wide-ranging set of demands from the Trump administration, pitting the biggest name brand in American higher education against the White House and setting up a remarkable clash of power that could wind up in court.”
| | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| — Boston City Hall employee launches bid for mayor against Michelle Wu by Gayla Cawley Boston Herald: “Kerry Augustin, a 26-year-old community activist and receptionist who works for the city’s Age Strong Commission, created a campaign committee and fund with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance on Tuesday. He said he plans to pull nomination papers from the city’s Elections Department later this month.” ***THE NEWTON NEBBISH CAN'T READ? THE CHRONOLOGY HAS BEEN CAREFULLY EXPLAINED AS WELL AS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY CHARTER. TANIA FERNANDES ANDERSON HAS NOT RESIGNED - JOSH, HAVE YOU RUN OUT OF PETTY ISSUES TO ADDRESS? NO OTHER ISSUE TO RAISE? MISSED NOT HAVING THE BOSTON HERALD PROPAGANDA RAG POSTING A COMMMENT FROM YOU? **** — Josh Kraft calls on Boston Mayor Michelle Wu to explain Fernandes Anderson special election ‘double standard’ by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald.
“The Elections Department stands ready to administer a special election under the city charter as written, but we will review any legislation passed by the Council,” the statement said. “Mayor Wu and her administration are focused on ensuring direct access to resources and services for the residents of District 7, and the mayor has directed additional staff to support the neighborhood services liaisons covering District 7 so that there will be clear coordination and additional capacity.” Breadon and Louijeune separately mentioned that they’ve heard from community members that they want more time to vet the candidates, and that circumstances are different this year, with a city Elections Department under receivership and Secretary of State William Galvin opposing a special election.
| | DAY IN COURT |
| ***MORE ICE ABUSE & HYSTERIA: LACK OF DUE PROCESS OR NOTIFICATION! THESE TRUMP LACKEYS ARE AFRAID OF FREE SPEECH & DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS! IT'S CALLED FASCISM! **** A WISE MAN ONCE SAID: I MAY NOT AGREE WITH YOU, BUT WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT! — MIT student sues federal government over termination of her international student record by Emily Piper-Vallillo, WBUR: “An MIT student has sued the federal government over its abrupt termination of her international student record in a federal database managed by the Department of Homeland Security. The student, an MIT senior set to graduate in May, learned her record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS, was abruptly deleted in early April, putting her at risk of detainment by immigration enforcement agents.”
| | FROM THE 413 |
| — Amherst officials explore town-school task force to examine educational needs over 5 to 10 years by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Near annual challenges in putting together budgets for the Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools that meet the financial guidelines set by the Amherst Town Council is leading to the concept of forming a joint town and school task force, which would be responsible for examining educational needs over a five- to 10-year period.” — AG pledges to help fight opioid crisis in visit to Greenfield by Anthony Cammalleri, Greenfield Recorder: “Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell promised local officials during a visit to Greenfield on Tuesday that she intends to prioritize efforts to curb the opioid crisis in Massachusetts amid cuts and freezing of federal funding.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — Mass Municipalities Are Sitting On Millions Meant To Mitigate The Opioid Scourge by Jonathan Gerhardson, HorizonMass: “To date, significant funds [from opioid epidemic-related settlements] have been directed towards administrative costs, and in some municipalities, money meant to address opioid fallout has gone to law enforcement. In most cities and towns, however, the money remains largely untouched.” ***MUST READ!**** BRAIN DEAD DOG KILLER...IS SHE STILL HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH COREY LEWANDOWSKI, HER "ADVISOR" ?
Did Kristi Noem Wear A $60,000 Rolex Watch To Her El Salvador Super Prison Visit? What We KnowKristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, sparked attention during her visit to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center by wearing a $60,000 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. The visit was part of her warning to undocumented migrants. Noem’s net worth was last reported at $2.3 million in 2017, stemming from her family's farm.
 Kristi Noem spotted wearing 60K Rolex watch
— Trump administration cuts citizenship assistance in Mass. by Hadley Barndollar, MassLive: “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has officially cut $300,000 in funding dedicated to citizenship application assistance in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition announced the formal funding loss on Tuesday.” excerpt: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem originally announced a blanket freeze on all grants to nonprofits in late January. But the coalition had been hopeful the money would be reinstated. It was granted last year and intended to run through September 2026. When the funds were initially suspended, the Massachusetts organization had to immediately cease citizenship application assistance, saying hundreds of immigrants would now be forced to navigate the “daunting and costly citizenship application process without the support of qualified, trained experts.”
— Will Raynham comply with controversial multi-family housing law? by Daniel Schemer, Taunton Daily Gazette: “Now it's Raynham’s turn to decide whether it will comply with the state's controversial multi-family housing law or forge a path of resistance. At Raynham’s upcoming Annual Town Meeting voters will decide whether to amend the town's bylaws to establish a multi-family overlay zoning district to comply with the state’s MBTA Communities Act — a mandate requiring all communities with MBTA transit service or that abut them to establish a new zone for multi-family housing.”
PAY WALL ***WORTH READING!**** — Plymouth business park construction will continue despite opposition from Wampanoag Nation by Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times: “The Plymouth Zoning Board of Appeals denied appeals and refused to impose a cease and desist order sought by a group of residents who oppose putting a business park on what the group calls Wampanoag ancestral land. In a 3-1 vote, the Zoning Board decided on April 7 that the group of 29 petitioners didn't meet the burden of proof to stop the project at 71 Hedges Pond Road.”
— Somerset's election saw narrow races for selectman, school committee by Emily Scherny, The Herald News. — Swansea voters decide Selectmen race, add new faces to government by Emily Scherny, The Herald News.
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| TRANSITIONS — Kerry Donahue will be the next executive director of Teach For America Massachusetts. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former Massachusetts first lady Ann Romney; former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Jane Oates, a former Kennedy staffer; and Doug Elmendorf. 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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