GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Monday!
RETURN OF THE PAC — Way back at the beginning of the 2020 cycle, one of the most prominent voices against super PACs was a Massachusetts Democrat. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was well-known for railing against outside spending during her presidential bid, though she was buoyed by a super PAC in the final days of her campaign.
Months later, outside cash is all over the airwaves back home in Massachusetts. And even Democrats who endorsed Warren's bid are welcoming a cash infusion from outside groups. Under the law, candidates can't coordinate with outside groups that spend on their behalf.
Outside money is flowing into Democratic primaries across the state. A new Rep. Joe Kennedy III super PAC just reserved $1.6 million in television ads ahead of the Sept. 1 primary, according to a new Boston Globe report. That's on top of the $900,000 that a pro-Sen. Ed Markey super PAC, United for Massachusetts, has spent for the incumbent. The Environment America Action Fund has also spent $146,000 for Markey. Early in the race, Kennedy called on his opponent to discourage super PACs by signing a People's Pledge. Markey declined, and now even the Kennedy family is making fundraising calls for the pro-Kennedy super PAC, according to the Globe.
In the western part of the state, House Ways and Means chair Richard Neal is facing a Democratic primary from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse. There's sizable spending on either side, and it's getting nasty. An outside group, Fight Corporate Monopolies, has spent $300,000 supporting Morse with television ads. The ads paint Neal as a "part of the problem" in Washington. To counter that effort, a group called American Working Families has spent $121,000 boosting Neal and slamming Morse's record as mayor of Holyoke as "brutal."
Morse is running to Neal's left but he isn't exactly denouncing the outside help. The mayor uploaded 7 minutes of B-roll video footage to his campaign YouTube page Friday. Candidates can't directly coordinate with independent expenditures, but can post public content, like video clips, that may show up in a future ad.
In the crowded race to replace Kennedy in the House, a super PAC affiliated with the political group EMILY's List has spent $217,000 on digital ads and mail, according to its latest FEC filing . EMILY's List supports women in politics. Instead of endorsing one of the several women running, the group Women Vote! is instead slamming two men — Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss and City Year co-founder Alan Khazei — for their records on reproductive rights. Both candidates have decried the ads as untrue.
Plus, a PAC that lists contributions from Auchincloss' parents has poured another $200,000 into the congressional race. Before the boost, Auchincloss was already in the top tier of fundraisers — he had over $1.1 million in cash on hand at the end of the last campaign finance quarter.
NEW STAT: MARKEY'S BEST MONTH FOR SMALL-DOLLAR DONORS — Small-dollar donors are flocking to Sen. Ed Markey's campaign, according to a new memo from his campaign manager.
Markey raised funds from 19,454 individual contributions in July, campaign manager John Walsh wrote to supporters. That's a larger number than the 19,033 individual contributions Markey received in June. The campaign did not say how much money the Malden Democrat raised in July. The memo.
NEW: JEWISH LEADERS ENDORSE KENNEDY — A group of more than 75 members of the Jewish community have endorsed Rep. Joe Kennedy III for Senate, according to a new letter.
The supporters praise Kennedy as someone who "shows up where traditional politicians rarely do" and for being a politician who "has never ducked and run when it comes to support for Israel." The letter.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Rep. Joe Kennedy III makes campaign stops in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Westfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield. Lincoln Project co-founder Jennifer Horn is a guest on WBUR. Rep. Seth Moulton meets with Gloucester Bio CEO Jeff Beeny. Rep. Stephen Lynch speaks at a forum with his primary challenger Dr. Robbie Goldstein.
HAPPENING 8/4 @ 10 a.m. EDT - ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC: The coronavirus has caused a record-setting economic decline and tens millions of Americans have lost their jobs. Join POLITICO chief economic correspondent Ben White for an interview with LinkedIn chief economist Karin Kimbrough to discuss prospects for economic growth, the uptick in jobless claims after weeks of decline and how extending unemployment benefits could help in the economic recovery. REGISTER HERE.
 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
– “Massachusetts reports 353 new COVID cases, 11 more coronavirus deaths on Sunday; positive test rate rises to 2.2%” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts public health officials on Sunday reported 353 new cases of COVID-19 and said 11 more people have died from illness related to the virus. Throughout the pandemic, the state has seen 110,430 cases of coronavirus and 8,417 deaths, according to the state Department of Public Health.”
| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
– “Can state’s disease-tracking system catch simmering coronavirus clusters?” by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “With virus counts rising again in some states and countries that had lowered their cases, these local health leaders say it is critical Massachusetts improve its disease-tracking methods before the fall, when more businesses reopen and more people head back to work and school. Particularly troubling, they say, is the state’s inability to quickly flag clusters in specific industries, such as in gyms or restaurants.”
– “As COVID-19 clusters rise, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker holds off on reducing public gathering sizes,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “A 90-person prom party in Cohasset. An unauthorized sports camp in South Weymouth. A lunch break in Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Baker cited these gatherings where people didn’t wear masks or didn’t keep their distance, or sometimes both, as the sources of some recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Massachusetts.”
– “Long list of unfinished business for Legislature,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommmonWealth Magazine: ““The traditional end-of-session legislative crush got a little less intense this year as both branches agreed to extend formal sessions past July 31 due to the coronavirus outbreak. The extended session will let the Legislature craft a fiscal 2021 budget once more information is known about the economy and federal stimulus money, and continue to address COVID-19-related legislation.”
– “Massachusetts sheriffs say bill to make inmate phone calls free would force cuts to jail programs; advocates believe free calls will help successful re-entry,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “A Massachusetts sheriff says that a pending bill to make inmate phone calls free for inmates would force jails to cut programs, meanwhile, advocates contend that poor families are faced with the burden of taking a phone call versus buying groceries.”
| FROM THE HUB |
– “Somerville indefinitely delays Phase 3 of reopening plan due to rising coronavirus cases across Mass.” by Ainslie Cromar, Boston.com: “While the rest of the Bay State has moved into Phase 3 of its coronavirus reopening plan, Somerville is continuing along a more cautious route. Officials announced Friday that the city will again hold off on moving into Step 1 of the state’s Phase 3 plans — which would allow indoor gatherings alongside the reopening of gyms, outdoor performance venues, movie theaters, and cultural centers.”
– “The Museum of Fine Arts, Which Remains Closed, Confirms Layoffs,” by Cristela Guerra, WBUR: “The Museum of Fine Arts confirmed Friday that they're laying off employees. It's unclear how many positions are being affected or from which departments. Among largest arts institution in the city, the MFA is the only one of the Boston's major museums that has yet to open following phase three of Gov. Charlie Baker's reopening plan that began July 6.”
– “Survey shows impact of pandemic on immigrant households,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “A new study demonstrates that immigrant families in the state are facing the same toll from the coronavirus disruption of the economy as most working-class Americans — but their problems are exacerbated by exclusion from crucial safety-net programs and stimulus payments.”
– “Why Is The Unemployment Rate So High In Massachusetts?” by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: “Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Massachusetts has led the way in unemployment — with the highest unemployment rate in the country for the month of June, according to new federal data. To understand why the state has such a high unemployment rate, it’s important to consider its pre-pandemic employment rate, says labor economist and Harvard professor Richard Freeman.”
| PRIMARY SOURCES |
– “New pro-Kennedy super PAC set to launch ad barrage,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “A new super PAC is poised to jump into the state’s contentious Democratic Senate primary on behalf of Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III in his bid against longtime incumbent Senator Edward J. Markey, according to Democrats familiar with the effort. The political action committee, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, has reserved close to $1.6 million worth of air time in media markets across the state, according to a Democratic media buyer.”
– “Markey noses ahead of Kennedy in latest Senate Dem primary poll,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “Incumbent Senator Edward J. Markey has pulled slightly ahead of challenger Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III in the Democratic primary race for Senate, with roughly a month to go before final ballots are cast, according to a new independent poll.”
– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Mermell Endorsed by International Painters and Allied Trades Union and 12 Additional MA-04 Leaders,” from the Mermell campaign: “Jesse Mermell today earned the endorsements of the 4,000-member International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 and 12 additional local leaders from Norton, North Attleboro, Easton and Brookline. They are backing Mermell in the crowded Fourth District race because she is the best candidate to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for bold, progressive change.”
– “Kennedy, Markey scramble for voters after months stuck inside,” by Lisa Kashinsky and Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “After months confined to the virtual realm, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey and U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III are taking their primary battle back to the streets in a scramble to lock up key voters as time runs short in their hotly contested race.”
– “In Berkshire stops, Markey drives home his message: 'I deliver,'” by Caroline White, The Berkshire Eagle: “The Friday afternoon sun was beating down mercilessly, and the only escape from the heat was beneath one of the trees along the border of the lawn. But, when Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Ed Markey was handed the microphone, a group of about 50 listeners crept out of the shadows behind Great Barrington Town Hall to hear him speak.”
– “PHOTOS: Joe Kennedy III campaigns in Framingham for Senate seat,” MetroWest Daily News: “With just under a month to go before final ballots are cast in the Democratic primary for Senate, Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III took his campaign to the streets of Framingham, Aug. 1, 2020. Kennedy faces incumbent Sen. Edward J. Markey in the Sept. 1 primary.”
– “In the Endorsement Battle with Joe Kennedy, Ed Markey Is Winning,” by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: “Per tradition over here at Boston, the usual disclaimer: Endorsements tell only part of the story in a campaign, but they do show where allegiances lie, and help candidates define themselves in concrete terms by the company they keep. In the particularly heated race between Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy III for Markey’s Senate seat, endorsements have become especially valuable, and controversial.”
| PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
PENALIZING THE POOR?
– “Minority riders cited more often for skipping fares on MBTA,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “Most of the tickets MBTA Transit Police issue for skipping fares are to people of color, even though minority riders account for a smaller percentage of subway riders, according to data obtained by the Globe.”
– “At Logan Sunday, questions about enforcement of new COVID-19 measures,” by John Hilliard and Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “Travelers at Logan International Airport Sunday questioned the lack of enforcement of the state’s new travel order intended to limit incoming cases of COVID-19, as they tried to comply with it. Governor Charlie Baker has said those who come from designated states and don’t quarantine for two weeks face a $500-a-day fine. But enforcement is based on the honor system.”
| DAY IN COURT |
– “Court overturns Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence,” by Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press: “A federal appeals court Friday threw out Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s death sentence in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, saying the judge who oversaw the case did not adequately screen jurors for potential biases.”
– “Marty Walsh, Charlie Baker react to decision overturning death sentence for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,” by Dialynn Dwyer, Boston.com: “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker each weighed in on Friday after a federal appeals court overturned the death sentence for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.”
| WARREN REPORT |
– “Elizabeth Warren’s Journey on Race Is a Preview of Her Party’s,” by Lisa Lerer and Sydney Ember, The New York Times: “When Liz Herring arrived at George Washington University as a freshman in 1966, she entered a capital city in the throes of the civil rights movement. Just three years after a quarter-million people had crowded the National Mall to hear the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congress was debating civil rights legislation as violent protests continued across the country.”
– “Whether Or Not Biden Picks Warren As His Running Mate, She Will Have Major Clout In Washington,” by Anthony Brooks, WBUR: “As Joe Biden prepares to announce his running mate in the next few days, he's under a lot of pressure to pick a woman of color. Even so, Elizabeth Warren is believed to be among the top contenders and already exerting a big influence on Biden's campaign.”
| ABOVE THE FOLD |
— Herald: “DEATH PENALTY DO-OVER," "CELTICS BURST BLAZER BUBBLE,” — Globe: “Minorities cited more for skipping T fares," "Colleges reversing course on reopening.”
| FROM THE 413 |
– “Baystate Health sees increase in hospitalized COVID-19 patients following outbreak,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “Baystate Health is seeing an increase in patients treated for COVID-19 in the past week, but the number of hospitalizations still remains dramatically lower than it was in April and May. On Sunday, 20 people are hospitalized with the disease. None of whom are serious enough to be in critical care units, officials said.”
– “Westfield city councilors eye removing fire chief position from civil service protections,” by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: “At Tuesday’s City Council meeting the body is scheduled to act on a request by 9 of the 13 Councilor to investigate the process of removing the fire chief’s position from the protections of state civil service laws. All members of the approximately 80-person fire department – including Chief Patrick Egloff and five deputy chiefs enjoy civil service protection.”
– Western Massachusetts Is Facing Another COVID-19 Testing Crunch,” by Karen Brown, NEPR: “Summer travel has increased the demand for COVID-19 testing in Massachusetts, which means less capacity and longer waits for results. Early in the pandemic, many hospitals reported a shortage of testing supplies, but after a few months, conditions improved. Now, health leaders in western Massachusetts say testing has slowed down again.”
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
– “Methuen’s police chief is one of the highest paid in the country — and he says he deserves more,” by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: “This community on the New Hampshire border may be smaller than 772 other American cities, but the salary of police Chief Joseph Solomon is anything but small. His salary of $326,707 in 2019 made Solomon one of the highest-paid police chiefs in the nation.”
– “Tensions rise as Haverhill debates start of school year,” by Allison Corneau, Eagle-Tribune: “Parents and city leaders are debating how students should be taught when the school year begins, but one thing is clear: Haverhill must walk before it can run back to the classroom. A slow, methodical approach is how many people with an interest in Haverhill schools say the academic year should start. But a major sticking point remains.”
– “‘We are essential to this country’: Undocumented immigrants maintain push for state driver’s licenses,” by Elaine Thompson, Telegram & Gazette: “Whenever Amparo and her family have to buy groceries or go to a medical appointment, they chance being pulled over by the police and being deported. Amparo, who asked that her last name not be used because of her immigration status, and her then 5-year-old daughter, were with a group of immigrants who walked across the U.S. southern border and entered the country illegally 15 years ago, fleeing violence in El Salvador.”
– “Parents weigh options for home schooling,” by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: “Kristin Feren of Bourne doesn’t plan to send her 10-year-old daughter to Bourne Intermediate School this fall, in person or remotely. Instead, Feren is researching low- or no-cost home-schooling curricula that would allow her to teach Hayden from the safety of their home, at least while coronavirus is still afoot.”
– “Groups seek mail-in voting applications translated in Khmer,” The Associated Press: “The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and a statewide civil rights group are calling on Massachusetts to issue mail-in voting applications translated into the Khmer language after community members in Lowell pointed out that they did not contain the translations as required by law.”
ENGAGED – White House Director of Strategic Communications Alyssa Farah and Justin Griffin, managing director of the USC Election Cybersecurity Initiative and an incoming MBA student at NYU’s Stern School of Business. He proposed on his boat on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, where his family has a summer home. Pic, Another pic.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD – Former congressional candidate Dan Koh and Catalant’s Amy Sennett welcomed their daughter, Theodora Jean Koh, on Sunday morning. Link.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY – to Brian Phillips Jr., press secretary for Joe Kennedy’s Senate campaign, who celebrated Saturday; and Corporate Accountability’s Gigi Kellett and Caitlin Teeley, who both celebrated Sunday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Andrea Battle.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and no! The Celtics beat the Trail Blazers 128-124. The Yankees beat the Red Sox 9-7. The Flyers beat the Bruins 4-1.
NEW EPISODE: THE ENDORSE RACE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, host Jennifer Smith and guest host Katie Lannan discuss what’s happening on Beacon Hill, and Stephanie Murray weighs in on the race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III. 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.
POLITICO'S "FUTURE PULSE" - THE COLLISION OF HEALTH CARE AND TECHNOLOGY : As the United States remains stuck in a screening crisis, a worldwide competition has been launched to find the top Covid-19 rapid testing solutions. The contest aims to find a system with a painless sample and quick turnaround for results. When will a breakthrough come? From Congress and the White House, to state legislatures and Silicon Valley, Future Pulse spotlights the politics, policies and technologies driving long-term change on the most personal issue for voters: Their health. SUBSCRIBE NOW.
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