POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: KOH’S cash — TAX DAY — STATE RACES heat up

KOH’S cash — TAX DAY — STATE RACES heat up

04/17/2018 07:29 AM EDT

By Stephanie Murray; (stephaniemurray.news@gmail.com; @StephMurr_Jour) and Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. And happy Tax Day. Did you file yet? Mostly cloudy today with a high of 51.

KOH'S CASH - In the race to replace retiring Rep. Niki Tsongas, MA-3 candidate Dan Koh's $2.5 million war chest is almost three times more than his top-raising competitors, Rufus Gifford and Lori Trahan. And, as David Bernstein notes at WGBH, Koh widened that gap by raising more than $900,000 in the first quarter of 2018.

Let's put that in perspective. Koh's most recent fundraising numbers aren't just eye-opening in comparison to his competitors for the open 3rd Congressional District seat. He also out-raised the incumbents in the Massachusetts congressional delegation. In fact, his Q1 haul is so ridiculously high - by any standard - that it ranks him among the top House fundraisers in the entire nation.

Few challengers - or even incumbents -anywhere in the country collected more than Koh in the fundraising period that ended March 31.

The final accounting for the quarter is not yet complete (the April 15 filing deadline has passed but the FEC hasn't yet entered all the data in its system). But most of the fundraising reports are in, and it's clear that Koh's cash haul will rank him among the congressional fundraising elite - here we're talking about money-minting members of House leadership; polarizing members who are powered by small donors from across the nation; and challengers involved in nationally watched races.

What makes the political wunderkind from Andover so unique is that he's not an incumbent, and he's not tapping a nationwide network of energized small donors. The 3rd District race isn't on the national radar since it's widely assumed the seat will remain in Democratic hands this fall.

It makes sense that House Speaker Paul Ryan would rake in the bucks. Or that the opponent of California GOP Rep. Devin Nunes, Democrat Andrew Janz, would raise $1 million after seizing on Nunes' staunch defense of Donald Trump and the congressman's controversial allegations of bias and misconduct at the FBI and Department of Justice.

But Koh? A look at his list of contributors suggests his fundraising is more transactional in nature than ideological. As Bernstein reports, the former chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is tapping a "who's who" of Boston's heavy-hitters, including "developers and others whose livelihood depends on good relations with Walsh's City Hall."

Will the money matter? In a crowded race where support is splintered and candidates have to battle it out for voter attention, those dollars could make a difference - even if his opponents don't think so.

TODAY - Democratic candidate for governor Jay Gonzalez attends a meet-and-greet in Worcester followed by a meeting of Drinking Liberally Waltham, state Rep. Thomas Calter interviews for a town administrator job in Kingston, and Attorney General Maura Healey holds a town hall at Boston College in the evening.

PROGRAMMING NOTE - The Massachusetts Playbook will be in the very capable hands of Stephanie Murray today as I take some time off - so be sure to drop her a line in my absence at stephaniemurray.news@gmail.com.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

TSONGAS ARENA -

- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "Gifford Announces Opioid Policy Plan Following Tour of District Initiatives," from the Gifford campaign: "Rufus Gifford will be outlining his policy positions today to address the opioid epidemic following a multi-day tour of the district where he visited a number of community organizations working on recovery and treatment. The plan centers around four pillars: prioritizing and expanding access to treatment; decreasing the supply of opioids; providing significant and sustained federal funding; and pursuing a comprehensive, bipartisan national strategy.

'There are so many tragic stories I've heard throughout our communities, and it breaks my heart,' said Gifford. 'At the same time, there are so many amazing people and organizations that are doing God's work, saving lives every day. These are true heroes who are on the frontlines. I'm so impressed by them all and will do everything I can to support their absolutely vital work.'"

- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "Senator Gobi, Former Senator Brewer Endorse L'Italien for Congress" from the Barbara L'Italien campaign: "Today State Senator Anne Gobi and former State Senator Stephen Brewer announced their support for Senator Barbara L'Italien in her race for Congress. Gobi, and Brewer before her, represents the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex District in the Senate, which overlaps with the 3rd Congressional District in Ashburnham, Ashby, and Winchendon.

- "Lori Trahan's Campaign Outpaces Opponents in In-District Support," from the Trahan campaign: "Lori Trahan's campaign announced today that it raised a total of $303,000 for the first quarter of 2018, including $253,000 raised in individual contributions, bringing its total of funds raised so far to more than $854,000. The campaign reports it has $706,000 on hand going into the second quarter. The April 15 FEC filing reports that 58 percent of Trahan's donations this past quarter came from within the Third District. This builds on the momentum of unparalleled, in-district support that Trahan has received heading into the Democratic primary on September 4. To date, 55 percent of all of Trahan's contributions have been raised within the Third District.

- "Chandler Hires Finance Director, Releases 1st Quarter Fundraising Numbers and Accomplishments (MA-3)," from the Chandler campaign: "Alexandra Chandler, Democratic Candidate for Congress in Massachusetts' 3rd District, is pleased to announce that she is expanding her campaign team with the hiring of Terry McGinty as her new Finance Director. McGinty is a political veteran, having begun his career serving on the Washington, D.C. staff of Senator Ted Kennedy. ... Chandler raised an additional $35,248.02 to add to her funds raised in 2017, reaching a total of $85,842.39. With 50% of those donations to Chandler being less than $35, her campaign is grounded in the grassroots and has a wide range of support among the working and middle class people she seeks to represent."

- "Local Elected Officials Endorse Jonathan Edwards," from the Edwards campaign: "Showing that local selectboard and school committee members value experience and an understanding of local government and issues, Sunderland Selectboard members Tom Fydenkevez, Scott Bergeron and David Pierce, along with Sunderland School Committee Member Keith McFarland, today endorsed Jonathan Edwards' candidacy for state representative from the 1st Franklin District of Massachusetts. In a show of continued support from local Selectboard members, Leverett's Peter d'Errico also endorsed Edwards over the weekend."

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- "3rd District candidates marked by education, varied career paths," by Chris Lisinski, the Lowell Sun: "The 13 candidates hoping to succeed U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas come from a wide range of education and work backgrounds, some with close links to government and others with little experience in the field. Every candidate who submitted a résumé to The Sun attained at least a bachelor's degree, and six candidates hold additional postgraduate degrees, most frequently in law or business."

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

DIEHL IS PARROTING TRUMP - IS THAT WHAT MASSACHUSETTS WANTS? 

- "Republicans target aid to 'sanctuary' cities," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Cities and towns that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration agents could lose aid from the state under a Republican proposal on Beacon Hill. A House budget amendment filed by Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, and several other GOP lawmakers would block local aid to communities such as Lawrence that have adopted ordinances or policies restricting local police from cooperating with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents."

- "Transit systems across Mass. say they need more state aid," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "While the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority receives massive attention from Beacon Hill and the public, the providers of public transit in Worcester and Springfield say they are being starved by years of financial neglect. Transportation officials and local advocates say that underfunding of the regional transit authorities is affecting riders, resulting in cuts in bus service in the state's second- and third-largest cities."

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

- "Trump promised to 'drain the swamp.' So what's happening with his Cabinet?," by Astead W. Herndon, Boston Globe: "... Nearly 15 months into his administration, Trump's bid to surround himself with top-quality associates has devolved into constant controversy and scandal. The merry-go-round of West Wing aides has captured national headlines, but Trump's handpicked presidential Cabinet has also been mired in constant allegations of impropriety."

WARREN REPORT -

- "Warren Raises 10 Times More Campaign Cash Than GOP Revials," by David S. Bernstein, WGBH News: "Elizabeth Warren does not figure to have a difficult re-election on her hands this November. Yet she's still raking in all the campaign contributions ... In the first three months of this year, she raised more than $3 million, according to her campaign, giving her more than $15 million in the bank."

- "Elizabeth Warren has a great idea for making Tax Day less painful," by Dylan Matthews, Vox: "If you're finishing up your income tax return at the last minute and frustrated by this annual ritual of busywork, you should know about a bill that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced last spring that would make doing taxes vastly easier for Americans - and would strongly push back against the tax prep industry's attempts to keep taxes difficult. The Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2017 would order the IRS to create a free online tax preparation and filing service comparable to TurboTax or other commercial programs."

- "Keller @ Large: Mass. Republican Party Seeks To Take On Elizabeth Warren," by Jon Keller, WBZ CBS Boston: "The convention for the Massachusetts Republican party in Worcester is just 13 days away. One thing that unites all Republicans, according to [Chairperson Kristen Hughes], is a disapproval of Elizabeth Warren."

ON THE STUMP -

- "8 candidates, 8 visions for 1st Franklin seat," by Dan Desrochers, the Greenfield Recorder: "Democratic candidates for the 1st Franklin seat in the Massachusetts House are making it difficult for voters to choose in September. The eight Democratic candidates vying for the 1st Franklin seat in November's election spoke with interested voters during a 'meet-and-greet' event Saturday, giving voters a chance to hear the candidates together for the first time, and also ask questions of the candidates."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "AMERICA RUNS ON DESIREE," "NERO IS HOPE" - Globe: "A Marathon slog fest," "Trump's lawyer did work for Hannity," "A Cabinet carousel in the White House," "Lawsuits over tech trade secrets soar amid shifting technology, workplace."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "Harvard president says arrest of black student is 'profoundly disturbing'," by Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: "Harvard University's president, Drew Faust, said that the reported incident in which a police officer repeatedly struck a black Harvard student while he was pinned down on Friday was 'profoundly disturbing' and 'upsetting.' Faust's e-mail, which was sent Monday to members of the Harvard community, comes after Cambridge police on Sunday released a seven-minute video shot by a bystander that showed the encounter between officers and Selorm Ohene, 21, of Cambridge, on Friday night."

"In rain-swept Boston Marathon, Desiree Linden and Yuki Kawauchi pour it on," by John Powers, Boston Globe: "On a bitter, rainy, and windy Patriots Day, Desiree Linden became the first American woman in 33 years to win the Boston Marathon and Japan's Yuki Kawauchi came from behind in the final mile to run down Kenya's Geoffrey Kirui, the defending men's titlist and reigning world champion."

- "Lowell joins Mass. cities, towns suing opioid firms," by Bob McGovern, Boston Herald: "Lowell has joined the avalanche of Bay State cities and towns bringing federal lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors for their 'aggressive sale, misleading promotion, and irresponsible distribution of opiates.' The suit claims that the multinational companies involved in creating and manufacturing opioids have deceived customers through marketing campaigns, unlawfully pushed the drugs into the stream of commerce and failed to raise red flags when suspicious orders came through."

- "Restaurant Chain Bertucci's Files for Bankruptcy," by Becky Yerak, Wall Street Journal: "Bertucci's Corp., the Massachusetts-based pizza chain, has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to sell its business in a deal valued at roughly $20 million. The company said Monday that an affiliate of Chicago-based investment firm Right Lane Capital LLC has agreed to purchase the brick-oven pizza chain's assets, but that bid will be tested at a bankruptcy-court supervised auction."

- "Sean Gannon's death sparks call for change," by Sean F. Driscoll, Cape Cod Times: "Events to support the community and family of Yarmouth police Officer Sean Gannon, who was shot in line of duty on Thursday, have so far been mostly somber and supportive affairs, as was a pancake breakfast Sunday to benefit the 32-year-old officer's family. But for the Yarmouth Police Department, the mix of emotions in the wake of Gannon's death has steadily come to include anger."

- "Local, state officials christen new office that will help crime victims in 4 western counties," by Emily Cutts, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Nearly a decade after losing his sister to domestic violence, Josh Moulton spent part of his Thursday celebrating the opening of a new office in Northampton aimed at helping victims and survivors of crimes. The Amherst resident, a survivor member of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance governing board, joined dozens of state and local officials at the first satellite office in western Massachusetts."

- "Wellesley College professor wins Pulitzer Prize for poetry," by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "Frank Bidart, a Wellesley College professor who is one of America's most respected poets, was lying in bed Monday afternoon in Cambridge, watching the Pulitzer Prize announcements on his iPad, not expecting much, when he learned he had won."

- "Mainers saddened by news of Barbara Bush's declining health," by the Associated Press: "Maine Governor Paul LePage on Monday said he and his wife are keeping former first lady Barbara Bush and the Bush family in their prayers. LePage tweeted Sunday evening that Mrs. Bush, wife of former President George H.W. Bush, 'is one of a kind and she has been a wonderful friend and inspiration to so many people in Maine.'"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Susan Effler, senior marketing manager for Uber in Boston, Matt Aks, MBA student at Harvard and an NSC and CEA alum, and Worcester Mayor Joe Petty's chief of staff Daniel J. Racicot, Dean Lieberman, comms director for Rufus Gifford for Congress and Tom Hunt.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Bruins lost 4-2 and the Red Sox were rained out.

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ICYMI - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: Conventional Wisdom. Former MassGOP chair Jenn Nassour is sharing her "conventional wisdom" with us this week as we get closer to the MassGOP convention. Then The Dorchester Reporter's Jenn Smith returns for the latest on a surprisingly competitive race for Suffolk County DA. Plus, Steve and Lauren talk money. FEC reports for the Senate race are in, and we have updates on the candidates' financial standings. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

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To view online:
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2018/04/17/kohs-cash-tax-day-state-races-heat-up-264636

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