| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | CLASH OF THE REPUBLICANS — The state Republican Party was going through an identity crisis long before Gov. Charlie Baker said he wouldn’t seek reelection. Now his exit is about to turn the power struggle between a moderate governor who repudiated Donald Trump, and a conservative state party chair who embraced the former president, into an all-out war. “It’s a battle for the soul of the party,” former MassGOP Chair Jennifer Nassour, a Baker ally, told me. “And I don’t think it was while there was still hope that Charlie was going to run.” Baker leaves no heir apparent now that Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has opted not to seek his job. While Republican circles are buzzing with calls about possible replacements — Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell and former U.S. attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling among them — they’re both to the right of Baker. Trump supporters have a standard-bearer in conservative former state Rep. Geoff Diehl. Trump’s backing of Diehl is good for fundraising and will be an asset in the primary. But the former president got drubbed twice in general elections here and candidates who’ve hewed too close to his messaging have met the same fate. Next year’s Republican primary will test moderates’ strength without Baker and how far allies of Diehl and state party Chair Jim Lyons are willing to lean into Trumpism with a general election looming ( Baker sidestepped a question Wednesday about whether he'd support Diehl). Note that Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin delivered a blueprint last month for appealing to Trump’s voters while keeping the former president at arm’s length, and Diehl’s already ripped a page out of it with his "Parents for Diehl." Both Lyons and Baker allies talked Thursday of building the party’s shallow bench and regrowing Republicans’ dwindled ranks in a Legislature where the Democrats’ supermajority grew by one earlier this week. But each faction wants to remake the GOP in its own image. Lyons wants to "consolidate" independents and Democrats who identify as Trump supporters with rank-and-file Republicans to “build a coalition where we can have in particular parts of the state a real impact." But members of the state committee skipped their meeting this week to protest Lyons’ leadership, and committee member Amy Carnevale told me intraparty tensions are at a “boiling point” as moderates look to regroup in Baker’s wake. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Shiva Ayyadurai says he's running for governor. He announced his campaign on Facebook Live last night. Looks like we're heading for a 2018 Senate rematch, minus Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Are you running for governor? Drop me a line, lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Baker and Polito get their Covid-19 boosters at 3 p.m. in Brockton. Polito speaks at 146th annual Worcester Chamber of Commerce meeting at 1 p.m. and attends the Worcester City Hall tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins U.S. Energy Sec. Jennifer Granholm to tour Boston Arts Academy at 1 p.m. Granholm joins Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark, Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Lori Trahan for a weatherization project tour in Malden at 3 p.m. Governor hopeful Danielle Allen is on Bloomberg Baystate Business at 2:30 p.m. THIS WEEKEND — The Boston Globe’s James Pindell talks Baker on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. State Senate hopeful Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. | |
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| – “Massachusetts coronavirus cases surge more than 5,000 for first time in 320 days,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The daily count of 5,170 new virus cases was the highest daily case tally since Jan. 16’s tally of 5,657 infections — the last time the state had reported a count of more than 5,000 infections. The daily average percent positivity has also been surging in recent weeks. The percent positivity is now 4.94%, almost tripling the rate of 1.67% a few weeks ago.” – “COVID in Massachusetts schools: 8,513 students, 1,396 staffers test positive in two-week period that includes Thanksgiving,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive. – “Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts,” by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe. – “COVID-19 numbers have been rising sharply in Mass. These 7 charts show just how fast,” by Martin Finucane and Ryan Huddle, Boston Globe. | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Revealed in dark of night and passed hours later in nearly empty chamber, Mass. House moves $4 billion bill toward governor,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The final version of a bill spending billions in federal aid was revealed late Wednesday, long after dark. By Thursday morning, the $4 billion package emerged in a nearly empty chamber of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where it was approved without an audible ‘yea’ or ‘nay.’ Four minutes later, the session was over. The moves ushered the long-sought bill to the Senate and inched it closer to the governor’s desk — but with no formal remarks, just six of 159 representatives on hand, and the public still physically locked out of the building.” – “No Compromise Needed: Lawmakers Pack All Pet Projects Into $4B Bill,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): “For Boston University climate scientist Michael Walsh, the $4 billion COVID-19 relief spending package that's on the cusp of being sent to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk could be a huge windfall. [Walsh's corporation] now stands to receive $150,000 for the purpose of studying the consumer impact of a transition to thermal energy in Massachusetts. The money was earmarked for Walsh by Sen. Michael Barrett, a Lexington Democrat, who said he interviewed Walsh at length, and was impressed by the work he did as a lead researcher on the Carbon Free Boston report. It is one of hundreds of earmarks tucked into the plan to spend American Rescue Plan Act funding that lawmakers aim to put on Baker's desk by the end of the week.” – “Possible egg shortage looms as legislative deadline nears,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “Two eggs over easy could be hard to find come Jan. 1, some claim, if a voter-approved animal-welfare law takes effect — and with the Legislature on extended vacation, that could be the case. The House and Senate already each have voted in favor of changes to a voter-approved law setting more humane conditions for egg-laying hens, but a six-member conference committee has not reached agreement on a handful of details in the bill, delaying the proposal’s passage.” – “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signs genocide education bill into law, as Hanukkah puts the spotlight on rising anti-Semitism,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “As Jewish communities across Massachusetts celebrate Hanukkah this week and use the Festival of Lights to shine awareness on rising anti-Semitism, Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed a genocide education bill into law, a spokesman announced. The legislation requires middle schools and high schools to incorporate the history of genocide, including the Holocaust, into their curriculum. It also creates a Genocide Education Trust, ensuring teachers have the resources and professional training to develop the new curriculum.” | | VAX-ACHUSETTS |
| – “Hospitals stagger under strain as COVID-19 cases reach highest level since winter,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Martin Finucane and Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: “A burgeoning wave of patients with COVID-19 is arriving in the state’s already-strained hospitals amid a spike in new infections, with the state reporting the largest single-day case count since last winter’s surge, as President Biden on Thursday proposed a plan to combat the new virus variant known as Omicron." – “Boston-area coronavirus wastewater tracker, cases and hospitalizations are all surging again after Thanksgiving: ‘We need to act’,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Here we surge again. The Boston-area coronavirus wastewater tracker, cases and hospitalizations are all surging again after Thanksgiving — the same upward spike the Bay State experienced during the first week of December last year when no one was vaccinated.” – “Is omicron in Massachusetts yet? Testing labs are on the lookout,” by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: “...many in Massachusetts are eager to know, is omicron is already here? And if so, would we even know? The answer is a resounding ‘maybe.’ Massachusetts labs are actively looking for the new variant in positive tests, and the state’s ability to monitor COVID-19 variants has improved significantly over just the last nine months. But incomplete testing surveillance means the variant could already be in the commonwealth undetected.” – “Harvard study: Vaccinated people with COVID-19 may be infectious for a shorter period of time,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Researchers found that breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals cleared in an average of 5.5 days, roughly two days quicker than infections in unvaccinated individuals, who remained contagious for an average of 7.5 days.” – “Southcoast Health fires more than 200 for refusing vaccines,” by Abigail Nehring, New Bedford Light: “Southcoast Health terminated 216 employees Tuesday for failing to comply with the vaccine mandate that went into effect for more than 7,500 workers on Nov. 15. The loss comprises 2.9% of the workforce at the region’s largest private employer and brings the hospital group into compliance with President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for 17 million healthcare workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston will create wait-lists for its exam schools amid enrollment decline,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “For years, Boston school officials have resisted calls from parents to create wait-lists for the city’s highly sought after exam schools, arguing they typically get their desired enrollment by accurately projecting each year the number of applicants who will reject admissions offers. But now that is about to change. Boston Superintendent Brenda Cassellius is crafting what might be the system’s first-ever wait-lists for Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, and the O’Bryant School of Math and Science.” – “Backed by Black and Latino coalition, Flynn secures votes for Council presidency,” by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: “[Ed] Flynn, who was reportedly backed by at-large Councilor Michael Flaherty, at-large Councilor-elect Erin Murphy and District 3 Councilor Frank Baker, received support from District 5 Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who scuttled his own bid for the presidency and brought along those who had committed to vote for him: at-large Councilor Julia Mejia, District 6 Councilor-elect Kendra Hicks and District 7 Councilor-elect Tania Fernandes Anderson. … The councilors of color secured key committee assignments in exchange for their support.” – "Departing City Councilor Matt O’Malley steps over to steam plant owner Vicinity," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "[Matt] O’Malley will become Vicinity’s first-ever chief sustainability officer, reporting to Bill DiCroce, chief executive of the Boston-based spinoff of Veolia North America. In that role, O’Malley will oversee Vicinity’s efforts to cut the carbon emissions caused by its steam heating and cooling networks, starting with the one in Boston and Cambridge." | | FEELING '22 |
| – MAKING MOVES: Boston state Rep. Liz Miranda appears to be moving closer to a run for the Second Suffolk District state Senate seat being vacated by governor hopeful state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz . Miranda, who said in October she was “taking a serious look” at the Senate seat, has hired Rivera Consulting in another sign she’s gearing up for a run. – “Will She Run? All Eyes on Healey in Mass. Governor's Race,” by Alison King, NBC10 Boston: “While four candidates have already jumped into the now wide-open 2022 governor’s race in Massachusetts, all eyes are on one democrat still contemplating: Attorney General Maura Healey. Would Healey dominate if she gets in? ‘I don’t see how she couldn’t,’ said 2014 lt. governor nominee Steve Kerrigan.” – "'I love the job I have': Will New Bedford's Jon Mitchell run for Gov. Charlie Baker's seat," by Linda Roy, Standard-Times: "Mayor Jon Mitchell, who will be starting year three of his four-year term, hasn't said either way whether he'll seek higher office now that Gov. Charlie Baker isn't running again. 'I love the job I have,' he told the Standard-Times in a statement Thursday. 'If I intend to do something different, I’ll let you know.'” | | NOT FEELING '22 |
| – “2022 is supposed to be a banner year for Republicans, so why are three of the region’s top Republicans passing on big contests?” by James Pindell, Boston Globe: “First, it was New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who turned down a chance to run for the US Senate. He was followed by Vermont Governor Phil Scott, who didn’t even entertain calls to get into his state’s newly open Senate race after the retirement of Senator Pat Leahy. And this week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker decided he would back out of a major race himself by not seeking reelection to a third term. While each has their own particular considerations, there are three similar themes in their decisions to pass on a more daunting contest during a likely Republican wave year.” – “'It really is a surprise': South Shore leaders react after Baker says he won't run again,” by Joe Difazio, Patriot Ledger: “‘It really is a surprise,’ said House Speaker Ron Mariano, of Quincy. ‘I enjoyed working with the governor. ... I'm going to miss him. He was a willing partner.’" | | DATELINE D.C. |
| – “Senate advances Rachael Rollins’s bid to become the next US attorney for Massachusetts,” by Andrea Estes and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “The Senate narrowly voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins to be the state’s next US attorney for Massachusetts, clearing a key hurdle in one of the more bitter partisan fights over a Biden administration nominee. The 50-47 vote along party lines took place after an animated debate during which her sponsors, Democratic Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, praised her innovative approach to prosecution, while a vocal Republican branded her a radical reformer who wants to dismantle the criminal justice system from within. Rollins still needs a final vote by the full Senate to be confirmed.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| – “Pressley, 37 other House members call for Boebert to be stripped of committee assignments,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “US Representative Ayanna Pressley and more than three dozen of her House colleagues called Thursday for Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert to be removed from her committee assignments following Boebert’s Islamophobic comments about Muslim Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.” – “Neal flexing muscles for east-west rail,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “US Rep. Richard Neal on Thursday signaled that he intends to use his considerable clout in Congress to deliver significant infrastructure funds for Massachusetts, particularly his personal priority — east-west rail. … Addressing the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce from a room just off the House floor, Neal said Massachusetts is poised to reap a significant chunk of the $1.2 trillion in funding provided by the federal infrastructure bill, in part because three Bay State congressmen will sit on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Judge rules against Massachusetts prison mail drug tests,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “A Superior Court judge has issued a scathing ruling against the Massachusetts Department of Correction over the way it tests some of the mail prisoners receive from their attorneys for drugs. For years, prisoners and their attorneys have complained that the test used by the DOC, the NARK II Test, is inaccurate." | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “MGM Springfield will reopen all floors of hotel and be 24/7 again,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “MGM Springfield will fully reopen its hotel Dec. 13 with 24-hour operations, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission learned Thursday at its regular monthly meeting." | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Fall River lawyer accuses Bristol County DA of retaliation,” by Tim White and Eli Sherman, WPRI: “A Fall River defense attorney on Wednesday accused the Bristol County District Attorney’s office of going out of its way to punish one of her clients because of comments she made in a Target 12 investigation examining police misconduct in the city.” – “DNA found inside conch shell leads to arrest in 20-year cold case murder,” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “Authorities in Bristol County were able to potentially solve a 20-year-old cold case murder by pulling DNA from a very unlikely murder weapon: a conch shell."
WHY IS THIS OFFICER STILL ON THE POLICE FORCE? Specifically, Emery had repeatedly requested video evidence referenced in grand jury testimony tied to the investigation into Fall River Police Officer Michael Pessoa, who has been charged with 15 criminal offenses, including falsifying police reports and assaulting suspects. One of the suspects he allegedly beat was a local resident arrested by Pessoa and Silvia in 2018. A year later, Fall River Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza testified to a grand jury that video he reviewed of the arrest did not match a report written by Silvia, which Emery has argued called into question whether the police officer is credible. – “Judge to examine 2 ballots in Framingham's Steiner-Feeney race. Here's what it means,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “A judge will examine on Monday morning the protested votes that narrowed a City Council race into a rare tie. District 3 City Councilor Adam Steiner and challenger Mary Kate Feeney are deadlocked for the seat. Unofficial election results from the Nov. 2 municipal election had Steiner leading, 997-995, but Feeney picked up two votes during a Nov. 16 recount, resulting in a ‘failure to elect.’" TRANSITIONS – Anna Lucey, a longtime House staff attorney, is starting her own consulting firm, A. Lucey Strategies. GBH News’ Adam Reilly adds a new gig as host of “Talking Politics,” GBH’s new weekly political show covering local politics and the 2022 governor’s race; it premieres at 7 p.m. tonight. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Robby Mook and Dan Marino. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Springfield state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, Marina McCarthy, Sarah Baron, Jennifer Taub, Maureen Forry-Sorrell and Kevin Towle, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Ellen Parker, Simon Jerome and Greg Timilty of BlueFin Research Partners. HORSE RACE ALERT: BAKER'S OUT, ON TO 2022 — Hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky break down Gov. Charlie Baker's decision not to seek reelection. ER doctor and state Rep. Jon Santiago discusses the omicron variant. 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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