POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Special election shifts power back to Boston

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY THE VOTES ARE IN — Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards declared victory in her bitter state Senate battle against Revere School Committee member Anthony D’Ambrosio last night, putting her one step closer to Beacon Hill and shifting the district’s seat of power back to the Hub. “I’m just overwhelmed by this,” an emotional Edwards, who just turned 41, told a room of boisterous supporters at Spinelli’s in East Boston as unofficial results showed her winning the Democratic special election primary by roughly 20 percentage points. D’Ambrosio called Edwards to concede not long after polls closed at 8 p.m. “Lydia is going to do fantastic things for our district,” the 25-year-old told me. “I am 100% pulling for her success.” With no Republican on the ballot, Edwards is on track after January's general election to succeed former First Suffolk and Middlesex state Sen. Joe Boncore five years after she ran against him for the seat in another special election. Edwards, who is Black, would be the first woman and person of color to represent the district. She would join a 40-person chamber that has only two other members of color. While Boncore was from Winthrop, Edwards hails from Eastie, meaning her election would swing the district’s power center back to Boston. Adding another voice to the Boston delegation is something state Reps. Adrian Madaro and Aaron Michlewitz told me — in unison — is “very important” for advancing equity, housing affordability and other issues. “Having another member from the Boston delegation that’s truly from Boston is critical in terms of that,” Michlewitz, the House Ways and Means chair, said. Edwards' primary win is also a key political victory for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who endorsed her former council colleague days after being sworn in as mayor, campaigned aggressively for her and now stands to gain another ally on Beacon Hill to help advance her progressive agenda. “There was no hard decision here,” Wu said. “She’s going to be the partner that we need in the state Senate.” GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said they wouldn’t seek reelection in 2022 so they could keep focused on managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly two years in, we’re beginning to get enough data to evaluate how well states handled the crisis. Each state shaped its own response differently, and now you can see the results in POLITICO’s State Pandemic Scorecard. On health and social well-being, Massachusetts far exceeded national averages, in part due to its higher vaccination and testing rates. The Bay State was barely above the national average when it came to education, and was significantly behind the national average on the economy. My POLITICO colleagues found states that imposed more restrictions such as stay-at-home orders and mask requirements did experience lower rates of death and hospitalizations. But they also tended to have worse economic and educational outcomes. It also appears to matter whether a state was hit hard early in the pandemic. For the most part, states impacted by the first wave of the pandemic — including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey — were slower to lift lockdown measures and have had a more sluggish economic recovery. TODAY — Baker and Polito make a public safety announcement at 3 p.m. at Plymouth Public Library. Polito presides over a Governor’s council meeting at noon at the State House. Wu announces a community-choice electricity program at 2:30 p.m. in Dorchester. Rep. Lori Trahan highlights broadband investments in the bipartisan infrastructure law at 4 p.m. at Gardner City Hall. Rep. Richard Neal is on Bloomberg Baystate Business at 4:30 p.m. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook won’t publish from Monday, Dec. 20, through Friday, Dec. 31. I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday, Jan. 3. Reach me in the meantime at lkashinsky@politico.com.   JOIN TODAY FOR A WOMEN RULE 2021 REWIND AND A LOOK AHEAD AT 2022: Congress is sprinting to get through a lengthy and challenging legislative to-do list before the end of the year that has major implications for women’s rights. Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph and POLITICO journalists Laura Barrón-López, Eleanor Mueller, Elena Schneider and Elana Schor for a virtual roundtable that will explore the biggest legislative and policy shifts in 2021 affecting women and what lies ahead in 2022. REGISTER HERE.     NOT FEELING '22 – ELECTION REFLECTION: Gov. Charlie Baker offered a little more insight into his decision not to seek reelection at a Springfield fundraiser-turned-holiday party last night. “I would love to keep doing this work … but you can’t do this if your family is not all in,” Baker told supporters. That's per Western Mass Politics & Insight’s Matt Szafranski, who was at the gathering with Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito that had been billed as a fundraiser until they bowed out of the 2022 contest. DATELINE D.C. – WU TRAIN ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu huddled at the White House yesterday with newly elected mayors from across the country to talk about racial equity, affordable housing, emergency rental assistance and climate change. Wu and her counterparts met with senior White House leaders and Cabinet members including Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy. Buttigieg asked his team to look into the six-month federal limit on pilot transportation projects that’s proving to be a bump in the road for Wu’s fare-free bus-pilot expansion, the mayor told me. Wu wants to make three bus routes fare-free for two years using $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. President Joe Biden gave the mayors a tour of the Oval Office, where the group discussed ways to work together on infrastructure, the Build Back Better agenda, and Covid-19. They also met with Vice President Kamala Harris. Wu took the Metro around D.C., live-streaming from the underground subway stations and posting pics from the halls of power with Walsh and McCarthy. “For what it’s worth, I didn’t talk to anyone on the Metro either,” said Wu, who caused a stir this week when the avid T rider told Playbook she wishes people would be a bit chattier during their commutes. Her comment spurred quite the discourse — at least on Twitter and on the webpages of the Boston Globe and NBC10 Boston. – More: “Michelle Wu visits the White House and delivers a message that Boston is prepared to show how federal funding can fuel recovery,” by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe: “Wu said she left feeling confident Boston would secure federal money for her priorities. … Asked if she pushed the administration to do more on COVID-19, such as providing free rapid home test kits the way Boston and Massachusetts are for some residents, Wu said, ‘We all need to be doing more.’” THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts reports 4,039 new coronavirus cases, highest daily death count in 9 months,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “State health officials on Tuesday reported 4,039 new coronavirus cases, a continued climb in surging hospitalizations and the highest daily death count in more than nine months. The state Department of Public Health also reported 11,431 breakthrough cases during the last week. It was a similar high count to the previous week’s spike of 11,321 breakthroughs.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Where Will $4 Billion in COVID Relief Money Be Distributed in Mass.?” by Alison King, NBC10 Boston: “Four billion dollars in American Rescue Plan Act money is finally going to be circulated throughout Massachusetts now that Gov. Charlie Baker has signed the federal aid bill into law. Several industries will be receiving hundreds of millions of dollars including healthcare, housing, infrastructure, education and economic development. And Baker says there will be significant investment in skill building and credentialing." – “Baker urges lawmakers to get cracking on compromise egg legislation,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker is calling on the Massachusetts Legislature to get cracking on compromise legislation to shore up the state’s egg supply, as the industry warns that in just a couple weeks, the vast majority of eggs will disappear from store shelves.” – “Will the Legislature let pandemic mail-in and early voting reforms expire?” by Tiziana Dearing and Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: “...with a half dozen cities and towns set to hold local elections in the next few months, Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin says he fears many voters planning to vote by mail will be caught off-guard.” – “Process overtakes promise on ARPA spending bill,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “It started out as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — the chance to spend billions of dollars in unexpected federal and state funds to accomplish real change in Massachusetts – but as the process dragged on and on on Beacon Hill, the debate sounded more and more about process and less about change.” – "Feeling Better, Spilka Working Away From State House," by Sam Doran, State House News Service (paywall): "Despite not participating in a Monday meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker and House Speaker Ronald Mariano this week, Senate President Karen Spilka's office said Tuesday that she is 'feeling much better' after her recent illness which disrupted her schedule in the waning days of formal sessions last month." VAX-ACHUSETTS – “As pressure mounts for a new statewide mask mandate, experts are divided on whether they work,” by Kay Lazar, Felice J. Freyer and Julia Carlin, Boston Globe: “Several [communities], including Georgetown, Lowell, Chelsea, and Salem, have in the past two weeks reimposed mask rules for indoor public spaces. And on Tuesday, the state’s leading medical group, the Massachusetts Medical Society, added its voice, calling for a statewide requirement for masks in indoor public spaces.” – The Boston Globe’s Editorial Board is now among those calling for statewide mask mandate, which Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday he has no plans to enact. – “Amid COVID surge, Massachusetts eclipses vaccination milestone, Gov. Charlie Baker announces,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “More than 5 million residents are now fully immunized against the coronavirus, Baker said on Twitter.” – “COVID could soon turn from a pandemic to an endemic, panel says,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “At a Massachusetts High Technology Council panel moderated by Stephen Pagliuca, co-chair of Bain Capital and co-owner of the Boston Celtics, medical experts also expressed optimism that COVID-19 is already showing signs of transitioning from a pandemic to a more localized disease with smaller outbreaks.” FROM THE HUB – “Wu's contracting equity pilot would be a first for Massachusetts,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is taking a page from the equity playbook of other major cities around the nation by proposing a pilot program aimed at bringing more minority- and women-owned businesses into the city's pool of goods and services vendors. The proposal, known as a sheltered market program, would restrict bidding for six yet-to-be-determined contracts to disadvantaged businesses for the first time in Massachusetts.” – "What's next for Essaibi George? She says she’s keeping the ‘doors of opportunity’ open," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "Asked if she plans another run for public office, including a second mayoral run, [outgoing Boston City Councilor Annissa] Essaibi George said, 'I’m not opposed to any idea' ... Does that include the governor’s office? 'You’ve got to keep the doors of opportunity open,' she repeated." – “Suffolk County Sheriff's Office reports fifth death in six months,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “A 33-year-old Black man recently died at a jail overseen by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the fifth death since July." TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) – “Lydia Edwards claims victory in state Senate special primary election,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Edwards ultimately won by a roughly 20-point margin, winning 8,149 votes to D’Ambrosio’s 5,413, according to unofficial results. Edwards carried Winthrop, a 19,000-person community that had proved the difference in elevating Boncore into the seat nearly five years ago, and won nearly 77 percent of the 6,117 votes cast in Boston. D’Ambrosio won handily in Revere, taking 75 percent of the vote there, according to unofficial results, after an array of the city’s elected officials had rallied behind him. But turnout in the city fell below his campaign’s expectations, proving to be the ‘biggest roadblock for us,’ D’Ambrosio said.” – More: “Markey, Rollins, Pressley, and more congratulate Lydia Edwards on victory in state Senate special primary election,” by Shannon Larson, Boston Globe. FEELING '22 – “A path forward: How Sen. Eric Lesser could be a key player in the shifting Massachusetts political landscape,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “State. Rep. Jake Oliveira, a Democrat from Ludlow, may run for the Senate’s First Hampden and Hampshire seat in 2022, MassLive has learned. But that’s contingent on a cascade of political variables — most notably, whether the district’s current senator, Eric Lesser, launches a campaign for lieutenant governor or attorney general. … Allies and close friends of Lesser told MassLive he is enmeshed in strategic discussions about his political aspirations — and whether something like the lieutenant governor role could catapult him from Western Massachusetts into a loftier national spotlight.” – BOOK DROP: Governor hopeful Danielle Allen, a Harvard professor and political theorist, released a new book called “Democracy in the Time of Coronavirus,” in which she “analyzes how and why the U.S. response to Covid-19 fell short,” according to her campaign. HEALEY WATCH – “Attorney General Healey says she will appeal judge’s decision to dismiss charges against former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home leaders,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday she will appeal a Hampden Superior Court judge’s decision to dismiss all criminal charges against two former top officials of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, where at least 76 veterans died from COVID-19. … Healey said in a statement Tuesday, ‘We are filing this notice of appeal today to pursue accountability on behalf of their loved ones and communities.’” WARREN REPORT – “Elon Musk calls Elizabeth Warren a ‘Karen’ as they spar over his taxes on Twitter,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk attacked Senator Elizabeth Warren multiple times on Twitter Tuesday after she called out Time magazine’s newest ‘Person of the Year’ for avoiding federal income taxes, but Warren ignored the tweets and responded instead in a fundraising message to supporters.” FROM THE DELEGATION – “Moulton, Trahan seek tougher penalties against storage companies who sell belongings of servicemembers,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “US Representative Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat and combat veteran, [and US Representative Lori Trahan are] calling for tougher penalties, including lengthy prison terms for repeat offenders, against companies that illegally sell the possessions of military members on active duty." – “‘I don’t know if I’ll ever recover.’ Lawmakers urge more funding for struggling restaurants,” by Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe: “Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley is urging Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. On Tuesday, she issued a letter, cosigned by the rest of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, pushing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate President Chuck Schumer to add up to $60 billion in additional funds to the program, which was intended to help restaurant owners get back on their feet.” – “Rep. Moulton’s plan to defend Ukraine from Russia,” by Alexander Ward and Quint Forgey, POLITICO: “Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) is worried the United States isn’t doing enough to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching a renewed invasion of Ukraine.” MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS – “Massachusetts’ first legal marijuana purchase, a chocolate bar, was never opened — now it’s in a museum,” by Will Katcher, MassLive: “Now, with [Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz] 20 days away from leaving office, the 50 mg chocolate bar he bought at NETA [in 2018] will be immortalized at Historic Northampton, the city’s museum of local history. Never eaten nor opened.” FROM THE 413 – “Amherst creates 2 depts. to improve community safety and equity,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The Town Council voted unanimously Monday to establish the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service agency, or CRESS, and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion office. CRESS will have eight unarmed civilian responders who will go to certain calls, otherwise handled by police, that don’t involve violence or serious crime.” – “District courthouse shut down after employee, who had been in the building earlier, tests positive for COVID,” by Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle. – “Sheriff: 11 COVID cases at Hampshire County jail, all unvaccinated,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette. THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Danvers wrestling team suspended after group chat comes to light,” by Paul Leighton, Salem News: “School officials said Tuesday that they will suspend all activities of the Danvers High School wrestling team after a fight between two students over a video that contained racist language. … School officials also said the initial investigation revealed other concerns related to a wrestling team group Snapchat, including references to hazing and hateful and biased language.” – The Worcester City Council passed an ordinance banning the acquisition and use of facial recognition technology, per the Telegram & Gazette's Marco Cartolano. SPOTTED – at Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards’ Senate primary victory party: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, state Sen. Adam Hinds, former state senator and MassBio CEO Joe Boncore; state Reps. Aaron Michlewitz, Adrian Madaro, Jay Livingstone, Mike Connolly, Tram Nguyen and Brandy Fluker Oakley; Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Boston City Councilors Kenzie Bok and Ed Flynn; Boston Councilor-elect Ruthzee Louijeune; Juan Jaramillo, Ed Cash and Jon Spillane. TRANSITIONS – Alex Psilakis has joined Melwood Global as an account executive. Psilakis was previously policy and communications manager at MassVOTE. Former Boston health chief Marty Martinez is leading Somerville Mayor-elect Katjana Ballantyne's transition team, which also includes Elaine Varelas, Cynthia Maltbie and Katie Brillantes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Lynn Mayor Tom McGee, Hannah Sinrich, Keith Moon, Jule Pattison-Gordon and Christopher D. Matthews. 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.   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.       Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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