Gov. Baker: GOP chair should resign after support for anti-Asian candidate for City Council

By Gintautas Dumcius, Managing Editor
October 15, 2021

Jim Lyons, chair of the Massachusetts GOP. (Photo: Sam Doran/State House News Service)

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, the state’s top Republican, on Friday took aim at state GOP chair Jim Lyons over his support for a Boston City Council at-large candidate who posted anti-Asian comments on social media. Baker said Lyons should resign from the post.

Lyons fired back in a Friday afternoon statement saying it may be “time for Gov. Baker to reconsider his party affiliation.”

The Republican State Committee spent $3,697 on ads to help Dorchester boxer Donnie Palmer in the September preliminary for at-large City Council. Palmer came up short in the race, finishing in 14th place out of 17 candidates. The top eight candidates advanced to the Nov. 2 election.

While a candidate, Palmer said he was attempting to become the first Black Republican on the 13-member council. On social media, Palmer attacked mayoral candidate Michelle Wu, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who was born in Chicago. He falsely called her a Chinese citizen and posted a photo of her side by side with one of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Palmer also falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen and criticized coronavirus vaccines.

Baker, a moderate Republican who frequently criticized former President Donald Trump, has often clashed with Lyons, a Trump supporter and former state lawmaker who became state party chairman in 2019 and won reelection in 2021.

“First of all, I’ve expressed previously my concerns about the level of vitriol and racism that’s come out of a number of members of the committee,” Baker told the Reporter on Friday after an unrelated event at Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel. “I’m not familiar with this particular incident but unfortunately, I’m dismayed, but on some level I’m not surprised. It’s a continuation of a practice that has no place in life, much less in public life.”

Baker added: “And I said previously, that I thought based on some of the previous incidents that had taken place, especially with respect to the gay and lesbian community, that I thought Jim Lyons should step down. I continue to believe that.”

Baker, who in his comments appeared to be directly calling for Lyons’ resignation for the first time, was referencing anti-gay remarks made by a member of the Republican State Committee, who said she was “sickened” by a Republican Congressional candidate’s adoption of children with his husband. Lyons at the time decried a “woke cancel culture mentality.”

Baker said any next steps are up to the state committee, adding that he has previously said members should take a vote on these types of issues. “They are for all intents and purposes the organization that oversees the operations of the party apparatus, which is what we are talking about here,” he said.

Baker has not yet said whether he is running for a third four-year term in 2022.

The state GOP did not respond to a request for comment on Friday, and instead issued a statement after the Reporter published Baker's comments. The state GOP had not responded to the Reporter’s requests for comment earlier this week about backing Palmer’s candidacy amid his racist social media posts, and the party's Friday statement did not address the party's support of Palmer.

Lyons called Trump “the greatest American president in my lifetime,” and said Baker is calling on his resignation “while repeatedly abandoning the principles of the Republican Party.”

On Thursday, Boston.com reported that Lyons was aware of Palmer’s posts during the at-large preliminary. A member of the state committee flagged the anti-Asian posts to Lyons in late August, and asked Lyons to retract the support for Palmer.

The state committee member shared screenshots of a text exchange with Lyons, showing her efforts to get Lyons to “denounce Asian hate” from Palmer. Lyons instead offered Palmer’s contact information and told her to take it up with Palmer.

In a statement released to the media on Friday afternoon, Lyons argued that while in the Legislature he supported the defeat of a bill that would have created a “registry system” of Asian Americans, while Baker backed Trump’s impeachment.

"Sorry Charlie, unlike you, I will continue to fight for this great country and will continue to refuse to submit to the agenda of the radical left,” Lyons said.

With the preliminary behind him, Palmer has now taken to social media with claims of a challenge against Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, a Boston Democrat who is up for reelection next year.

Material from State House News Service was used in this report. This post was updated at 3:21 p.m. on Friday, with a statement from the state GOP.

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Boston mayor’s race sours

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY NEW: PATRICK’S GRASSROOTS PUSH — Former Gov. Deval Patrick is helping launch a new fund today that aims to pour millions of dollars into year-round progressive grassroots organizing efforts around the country. The BridgeTogether fund will be a 501 c(3) and c(4) arm of the American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, a super PAC Patrick co-chairs. The fund plans to invest in community groups working in Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania to start. Its first grantees, which will receive up to $250,000 apiece, include the Stacey Abrams-founded group Fair Count; VoteRiders; 1000 Women Strong, which supports the advancement of Black women; Philadelphia-based Unity in the Community and Arizona-based VetsForward. “This is about drawing attention — and most importantly, resources — to local, high-impact grassroots organizations on an ongoing basis instead of just in time for the elections, so they are building community ... and expanding relationships of civic engagement that are foundational, I think, to the long-term success of progressive politics,” Patrick told me. It's also about keeping the Democrats in power in Washington after the 2022 midterms, and is partly a response to Republican-led efforts pushing voting restrictions nationwide. "While we wait for Congress and the courts to fix these injustices, we have to overwhelm the barriers that are being put up," Patrick said. 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The ad, part of a six-figure buy first reported by the Dorchester Reporter, claims Wu wants to defund the police and other services. Essaibi George said she hadn’t yet seen the ad when I asked at an afternoon event (candidates can’t coordinate with PACs). But she said “if it’s talking about defunding and walking away from our responsibility as a city, that there might be some accuracies in that ad.” Wu's campaign dismissed the "dishonest, desperate attack" from Essaibi George and her allies and vowed to fight their "Trumpian tactics." It didn't end there. Wu campaign manager Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson said in a statement last night that about 20 people showed up to the councilor’s South Boston canvass kickoff with Sen. Ed Markey that morning with campaign fliers saying they would get a $100 gift card for participating in the event. But the fliers were phony; no such giveaway existed. The people told the campaign the fliers “were being passed out at the housing development across the street and the tents" near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. It's unclear where the fliers came from and who handed them out. But Akai-Ferguson made a point of mentioning Essaibi George in her statement, calling on Wu's rival to "condemn this despicable tactic." “We had no knowledge of it and would never stoop to such low levels," Essaibi George communications director Nicole Caravella said in a statement. "Our most vulnerable residents need our help, not to be grossly misled for some disgusting political stunt." TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and administration officials kick off STEM Week at 11 a.m. at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge. Baker and Polito join House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka and Republican leaders for their weekly leadership meeting at 2 p.m. Polito visits schools in Everett at 12:30 p.m. and West Medford at 4:30 p.m. State Auditor Suzanne Bump testifies on her “Accountability Agenda” at 10 a.m. State Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Antonio Cabral host their fourth Gateway Cities Caucus tour starting in Salem at 10 a.m. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey gives remarks at the dedication of Lester Burton Hero Square in Fenway at 2 p.m. Rep. Jake Auchincloss and state Sen. Cindy Creem host a sustainability roundtable at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@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 West Wing Playbook, 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.     DATELINE BEACON HILL – A group of lawmakers of color and community advocates will release a “Racial Equity Scorecard” today outlining their spending goals for the state’s roughly $4.8 billion in untouched ARPA money. The group is calling for 90 percent of the money to be committed in legislation by the end of the year and to use the funds to address the racial wealth divide, public health infrastructure and other issues affecting communities most disproportionately affected by the pandemic. “There are many ways to get racial equity right in how we spend our ARPA dollars in Massachusetts. There [are] also a few ways to get it wrong. This rubric offers core principles to make sure we do the former,” state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz said in a statement. 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Mark will announce his candidacy at 1 p.m. in Pittsfield. MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER – “Advocates press lawmakers on redistricting, call for changes to proposed maps,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Advocates and residents on Friday pressed legislative map makers to consider redrawing newly unveiled state Senate districts encompassing Brockton and Haverhill, arguing that the lines, as proposed, could dilute the political power of each of the cities’ growing minority populations.” – “Race for 4th Essex on despite redistricting plans,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Four candidates continue to compete for the 4th Essex House seat to fill a vacancy left by former Rep. Brad Hill, despite proposed redistricting changes that would do away with the legislative district after next year.” VAX-ACHUSETTS – “Up to 5,000 unvaccinated Massachusetts state workers could be at risk of suspension, termination,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Up to 5,000 state workers could be at risk of suspension or termination as the deadline for workers to submit proof of their vaccine status hits this week, according to state officials. That amounts to about 11% of the 45,000 executive-branch workers required to be fully vaccinated as of Oct. 17.” – “Threats of termination convince many hesitant hospital workers to get COVID vaccine, but thousands of holdouts remain,” by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “Looming deadlines and threats of termination have convinced hundreds of hesitant health care workers to get their COVID-19 shots in recent days, but thousands of holdouts remain, Massachusetts hospital leaders reported Friday. Already, one major hospital system, Springfield-based Baystate Health, said it terminated 90 workers who remained unvaccinated on Friday after an extensive effort to change their minds.” – “COVID vaccine mandates: Massachusetts hospitals see upwards of 90% of caregivers immunized as threats of job loss loom,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive: “At some of the state’s largest hospital systems, upwards of 90% of employees have already been vaccinated against the coronavirus." – “'No job is worth the jab': Protesters rally against mandated vaccinations,” by Christine Peterson, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Many of the protesters were UMass health care workers who are protesting the hospital's Nov. 1 mandate to get vaccinated or be fired by Dec. 1.” – “Judge Denies Prison Guard Union Attempt to Block Governor’s Vaccine Mandate,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “A federal judge rejected a bid by the state prison guard union to temporarily block Governor Charlie Baker’s vaccine mandate from going into effect on Sunday.” – “Multiple schools reached 80% vaccination rate ahead of Oct. 18,” by Lillian Eden, MetroWest Daily News: “...despite several communities meeting the threshold to unmask, local school officials are remaining cautious, at least for now.” FROM THE HUB – “Boston police plan arrests of people with ‘multiple warrants’ on Methadone Mile, document says,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Boston police are planning to start scooping up wanted criminals at Mass and Cass, arresting people with ‘multiple warrants’ in the morning hours of the coming weeks in an effort to bring down the crime rate in the dangerous area, according to a police document obtained by the Herald.” – Cotter spoke to Boston’s two mayoral candidates about their plans for the worsening public health crisis and rounds out his trio of stories with this: “Rat-borne disease of ‘high risk’ to homeless identified in Boston” – Essaibi George formally rolled out her Mass and Cass plan on Sunday, reports the Boston Globe’s John Hilliard. She was also endorsed by City Councilor Frank Baker, SENA and SEIU 888, which backed Acting Mayor Kim Janey in the preliminary election. – “North End restaurant owners prepare to pack up their patios, 1 month before the rest of Boston,” by Erin Kuschner, Boston.com: “While patios on public and private property in Boston will close on Dec. 1 (with the exception of patios on public sidewalks, which will close on April 1, 2022), the North End will be required to pack up its patios on Nov. 1. And some restaurant owners aren’t too happy about the discrepancy.” – “With Boston Public Schools in crisis problems are mounting. Can the system save itself?” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – The mayor’s race isn’t the only municipal contest growing heated in its final weeks. Boston District 6 City Council candidate Mary Tamer is being criticized for a mailer drawing “stark differences” between her and rival Kendra Hicks that showed a picture of Tamer in color and one of Hicks, who is Black, in grayscale. Some Twitter users accused Tamer of being “offensive” and peddling “racist tropes” by darkening Hicks’ skin color. "Darkening or editing a photo of a Black person to look more menacing is a racist tactic that has long been used by candidates in political campaigns, most notably by Republicans," Hicks said in a statement, calling it "damaging" not just to her but to Black and brown city residents. Tamer's campaign initially defended the mailer , but then said "the photo used was never intended to cause harm or show racial animus, but it is clear, based on the feedback we have received and heard, that it did not set the right tone." Hicks, who's backed by the Boston Democratic Socialists of America, and Tamer, who's more moderate, have previously clashed over their political differences and Hicks’ voting record . Tamer finished behind Hicks in the September preliminary. – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Wu has been endorsed by former City Councilor Tito Jackson and former state Rep. Charlotte Golar Richie, per her campaign. Jackson supported Acting Mayor Kim Janey in the preliminary election. Both Jackson and Golar Richie have run for mayor before. Jackson served with Wu on the council. Wu's also been endorsed by Our Revolution and its Massachusetts chapter. – “Michelle Wu has big ideas. If she’s elected mayor, Beacon Hill could decide if many of them happen,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Some of [Wu’s] most sweeping campaign ideas have faced and will face significant headwinds, even in a Democrat-dominated Legislature. … [Gov. Charlie] Baker, for one, has rejected the idea of restoring rent control, and such proposals in the Legislature have so far faltered. Democratic leaders in the Senate and House have repeatedly wrangled with calls to infuse the MBTA with more funding, but they have never publicly broached plans about replacing the hundreds of millions of dollars the quasi-public agency collects each year in fares should they be eliminated.” – “For Essaibi George, husband’s real estate holdings present a quandary,” by Andrew Ryan, Boston Globe: “...few know the full breadth of [Douglas] George’s property holdings, or how his business dealings with the city could force his wife to act carefully to avoid conflicts of interest, should she be elected mayor. George and his companies own some 55 properties in Boston with an assessed value of $54 million, according to a Globe analysis of deeds and corporate records. " – The candidate profile: "Michelle Wu's path from immigrant daughter to the pinnacle of Boston politics," by Anthony Brooks, WBUR. – “Boston Mayoral Race Heats Up as Wu, Essaibi-George Hit the Campaign Trail,” by Kathryn Sotnik, NBC10 Boston. – “Essaibi George defends ad with accent while having a laugh with it in ‘On the Record’ interview,” by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe. TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards has been endorsed by the Mass Alliance, a coalition of progressive political and advocacy organizations, in her bid for state Senate, per her campaign. PARTY POLITICS – “Gov. Baker: GOP chair should resign after support for anti-Asian candidate for City Council,” by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, the state’s top Republican, on Friday took aim at state GOP chair Jim Lyons over his support for a Boston City Council at-large candidate who posted anti-Asian comments on social media. Baker said Lyons should resign from the post. Lyons fired back in a Friday afternoon statement saying it may be ‘time for Gov. Baker to reconsider his party affiliation.’” DAY IN COURT – “Two ‘Varsity Blues’ jurors say they methodically weighed the evidence before convicting two parents of trying to bribe their kids’ way into college,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “One of the jurors who convicted two parents earlier this month in the Varsity Blues college admissions trial in federal court in Boston said the jury seemed to feel both men were guilty from the very start of deliberations.” – “North Adams man pleads guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with role in Jan. 6 Capitol riot,” by Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle: “A North Adams man photographed at the front of mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense, and is due to be sentenced next year.”  Brian P. McCreary ROLLINS REPORT – From the opinion pages: “Cotton: Biden pick Rachael Rollins poses threat to N.E. if confirmed,” by Sen. Tom Cotton in the Boston Herald: “Rollins has nothing but contempt for the rule of law. If she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and all of New England would suffer the consequences.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “Taking the T Monday? You might get a free Dunkin’ gift card at these stations,” by Mia McCarthy: “The MBTA will be giving out free $5 Dunkin’ gift cards to riders at select stations on Monday ‘as a thank you for taking the T.’ They will also be handing out free masks, according to the MBTA.” – “Rep. Stephen Lynch: ‘We Have To Get To An Agreement’ On Stalled Infrastructure Bill,” by Jon Keller, WBZ. FROM THE 413 – “As UMass Amherst struggles through twin crises, some students see connections at their roots and parallels in the school’s response,” by Will Katcher, MassLive: “There are students hoping to hold Greek Life accountable for what they see as decades of sexual assaults that were never addressed. ... 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THE LOCAL ANGLE – "MassHealth expands long-term care to thousands of immigrants," by Lynn Jolicoeur and Lisa Mullins, WBUR: "Thousands of immigrants will become eligible for long-term care coverage under MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, thanks to a policy change that takes effect Nov. 1." – “Closing the 'digital divide': Interest in municipal internet is rising on the South Shore, nationwide,” by Jessica Trufant, Patriot Ledger: “Some communities on the South Shore – including Quincy, Weymouth and Milton – are exploring the potential of making broadband internet a public utility, lumping it in with the long-considered-essential public services of water, electricity and sewer.” – IN MEMORIAM: “Norwood's Selectman David Hajjar Dies Unexpectedly Saturday,” by Mary Ellen Gambon, Patch. TRANSITIONS – Justin Draper has been named president and general manager of CBS News and Stations’ local business in Boston. Zuzana (Fedorkova) Love is now digital services expert for product strategy at the U.S. Digital Service. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to state Rep. Alan Silvia, Michael Goodman, Kate Donaghue, Mark Cote and Isaac Simon. Happy belated to Jeremy Stein and Andrew S. Zimbalist. 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.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. 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In Boston at-large council race, state GOP backed boxer who pushed anti-Asian posts

 

This defines REPUBLICANS: The MASS GOP, JIM LYONS and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA) supported an ignornant, Anti-Asian BIGOT who had nothing to offer other than HATE. The tragedy is the + 6,800 voters who voted for this misfit who, it appears mispent campaign funds and is too stupid to address his campaign reporting.

In Boston at-large council race, state GOP backed boxer who pushed anti-Asian posts

By Gintautas Dumcius, Managing Editor

October 11, 2021 Massachusetts GOP officials spent thousands of dollars to help a Boston City Council at-large candidate who has taken to social media with anti-Asian posts, falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen, and lashed out about vaccine requirements.

Donnie Palmer, a professional boxer who hails from Dorchester, was among the 17 candidates to run for City Council at-large in the Sept. 14 preliminary election. He was knocked out of contention for the Nov. 2 final election after finishing in 14th place with 6,823 votes.

In a recent filing with state campaign finance regulators, the Republican State Committee disclosed it spent $3,697 on Facebook ads supporting Palmer in August. The panel and Palmer did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

“ARE WE ABOUT TO ELECT A CHINESE CITIZEN TO CONTROL THE CITY OF BOSTON?” Palmer said in an Aug. 29 message that he posted to Twitter. It was accompanied by a photograph of mayoral contender Michelle Wu, who was born in Chicago and is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. Palmer paired her photo with one of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

“The Arabs and Chinese want to do to Africa what the Europeans did to America. Wipe out the indigenous people and set up a super colony,” one person posted to Twitter in early September. “Correct!” Palmer responded in another Twitter post.

In early October, Palmer posted a photo of Wu and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who was raised in Chicago, and asked, “Do you think that Chicago would allow a bunch of gangsters from Boston to come in and take over their city??? NO WAY…and neither should we.”

Responding directly to Wu after her campaign posted her TV ad on Twitter on Aug. 19, Palmer echoed former President Donald Trump in calling coronavirus a “Chinese” virus and asked, “Does China run Boston?” In another Twitter post, Palmer claimed Australia is “controlled” by China and added, “WE ARE NEXT.”

Wu said in a statement to the Reporter there is a “responsibility to stand together against the scourge of Anti-Asian racism and hatred of all kinds.” She added: “Funding campaigns built on discrimination only perpetuates the alienation so many have from our political process. I’m committed to joining our communities to stand up against racism, and see and value every person.”

Palmer, an unabashed Trump supporter who sought to be the first Black Republican on the City Council, has also shared content on Facebook that has been flagged as factually inaccurate, posted to Twitter about how the 2020 US election was stolen, and claimed politicians are “forcing us to take a vaccine that’s killing healthy people all over the country.” Palmer also called Acting Mayor Kim Janey a “fascist dictator” after she required vaccines for city workers.

The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA), a top police union, also endorsed Palmer in August and sent him $500 in September. He was one of five candidates the union endorsed in the preliminary.

“We were completely unaware of these postings and we do not condone these racist statements,” Larry Calderone, head of the BPPA, said in a statement. He noted the postings referenced by the Reporter occurred after their Aug. 18 endorsement of Palmer. “Further, at that time, we were unaware of these or any other postings that reflected racist attitudes by Mr. Palmer,” Calderone added. “The BPPA abhors all forms of racism and Mr. Palmer’s statements do not reflect our values.”

In a July 10 post, Palmer wrote, “Earlier in the race I felt that the GOP were not interested in supporting me. That has all changed. Jim Lyons, the Mass. GOP chairman, is giving me massive support.” The post included a picture of Palmer and Lyons, who has worked to remake the Massachusetts GOP, known for moderate candidates who served as a check on Democrats on Beacon Hill, into a pro-Trump outfit.

Since losing the preliminary, Palmer has set his sights on running against Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who is up for reelection next year. Before his at-large run this year, Palmer previously ran and lost to District 3 City Councillor Frank Baker of Dorchester in 2015.

According to campaign finance records, Palmer received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions for his at-large run, but he has not disclosed the donors. He appears to have spent much of the money on local eateries. In his most recent filing, his campaign account is nearly $450 in the red.

State campaign finance regulators have sent him several letters asking him about missing information in his filings on donations and expenditures.

Mass. GOP chair Jim Lyons and former City Council candidate Donnie Palmer (Photo via Twitter)

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