POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WARREN’s strong Q1 — WYNNing Boston — KENNEDY heads to New Hampshire
WARREN’s strong Q1 — WYNNing Boston — KENNEDY heads to New Hampshire
04/13/2018 07:04 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
TGIF, MASSACHUSETTS.
WARREN'S STRONG Q1 - Sen. Elizabeth Warren notched another significant fundraising quarter, raising $3.12 million in the first three months of 2018, according to new numbers released by her campaign this morning. This leaves her with $15 million cash on hand as of the end of March.
Of those donations, 10,422 came from Massachusetts. The vast majority, 82 percent, came in the form of $25 of less. Only one percent of the contributions donations were larger than $100.
Warren's fundraising prowess has made her one of the Senate's top fundraisers. She's far outpacing the Republican field as she seeks re-election.
The latest polling finds a 30-point gap between the senator and her challengers, and Q1 fundraising totals show a similar gulf. State Rep. Geoff Diehl, Beth Lindstrom, and John Kingston, all Republicans, raised roughly $300,000 in the first three months of 2018, according to numbers released by each campaign.
PROGRAMMING NOTE - The Massachusetts Playbook will be in the very capable hands of Stephanie Murray on Monday and Tuesday as I take some time off - so be sure to drop her a line with tips (and shout-outs for Marathon runners!) 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.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
THE MEDIA HAS PROVIDED A SLANTED PLATFORM FOR CHARLIE BAKER OR VOTERS ARE WOEFULLY UNINFORMED.
CHARLIE BAKER'S POLITICAL HACKS HAVE CAUSED SCANDALS GALORE WHILE CHARLIE BAKER MERELY WHINES CRITICISM. THAT'S NOT LEADERSHIP. EVEN DOR HAS FAILED AGAIN.
ONE MUST WONDER WHO THESE POLLSTERS CALL.
- "Poll: Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker remains nation's most popular governor," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker remains the most popular governor in America, according to a new poll by Morning Consult. The poll shows that Baker is in a strong position as he approaches the 2018 election, in which three Democrats - Setti Warren, Jay Gonzalez and Bob Massie - are challenging him."
- "Taxing questions loom as game-changers for state budget," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: "The last two state budget exercises were rendered largely moot by overly optimistic revenue assumptions. This year, it's the voters who may lay waste to the spending plans lawmakers will draft between now and July."
- "State lagging on pot studies," by Christian M. Wade, the Salem News: "As Massachusetts prepares to roll out retail marijuana sales, the state is devoting little if any money to researching the impact of legal pot use. While marijuana remains illegal under federal law, which tightly restricts scientific research of the drug, the state's pot new law actually requires regulators to study the effects of its commercial use on public health and safety. But, to date, the state has provided scant funding to conduct that research."
- "Asked about report of possible sale of Wynn Boston Harbor, gaming commission chairman says he has no inside information," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "'I read the same news reports you do but I have no inside information on that at all,' Steve Crosby, the commission's chairman, told reporters on Thursday. After Crosby spoke Thursday afternoon, the Wall Street Journal posted a report saying Wynn Resorts is in "early talks" with MGM about the sale of Wynn Boston Harbor."
- "Charlie Baker defended Vertex's high prices - a few weeks after his campaign cashed its checks," by Frank Phillips, Boston Globe: "As the public outcry mounts over drug companies charging astounding prices for their latest miracle medicines, Governor Charlie Baker - fresh off a fund-raising splurge from Vertex Pharmaceuticals officials - is going the other way. Baker appeared at a forum this week and gave a full-throated defense of the Boston-based firm for charging up to $300,000 annually per patient for its newly developed drugs to fight cystic fibrosis. Baker's aides were quick to push back at any notion there was a line between the donations and his justifying the cost of Vertex's drugs."
COULD IT BE CHARLIE BAKER'S INCOMPETENT POLITICAL HACKS FROM WELLESLY AGAIN?
- "Baker 'incredibly annoyed' by Revenue Dept. blunders," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "A day after revelations of more data snafus at the beleaguered state Department of Revenue, Governor Charlie Baker said Thursday that he was 'incredibly annoyed' and 'incredibly frustrated' by the cavalcade of troubles at the tax-collecting agency. The department said Wednesday that the personal information of thousands of people who pay child support was inadvertently sent to companies that do not employ them, potentially revealing about 6,100 people's Social Security numbers and wage information to those who should not have seen them."
DATELINE DC -
- "US Rep. Jim McGovern slams reported plan to drug test some food stamp recipients, says Donald Trump should be the one drug tested," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, condemned the Trump administration Thursday for reportedly considering a proposal that would allow states to drug test certain food stamp recipients -- a policy which he called 'insulting and unconscionable.' McGovern, who has dedicated much of his work in Washington to fighting hunger, said he thinks it's an "awful idea" to require even some of those benefitting from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- known as food stamps -- to pass drug tests, arguing that it promotes an inaccurate stereotype that most people on public assistance use drugs."
WARREN REPORT -
- "Warren goes all in for Cordray," by POLITICO Pro's Daniel Strauss: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren is ramping up her efforts to get former Consumer Financial Protection Director Richard Cordray elected as governor of Ohio. ... It's arguably the biggest political maneuver Warren has made so far in 2018, apart from her own reelection campaign in Massachusetts. She and Cordray will appear together at multiple events in Ohio Friday as well as a private fundraiser, and Warren has sent a string of fundraising emails for Cordray since she endorsed him almost immediately after he stepped down from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, her brainchild agency."
- "Elizabeth Warren and Mick Mulvaney square off over CFPB in Senate hearing," by Astead W. Herndon, Boston Globe: "The Senate Banking Committee, more often a zone of mind-numbing debates on arcane financial regulations, featured a heavyweight bout Thursday over President Trump's regulation-slashing agenda."
THE KENNEDY COMPOUND -
- "Joe Kennedy to headline N.H. event favored by potential presidents," by James Pindell, Boston Globe: "Even as he repeatedly denies any interest in running for president in 2020, US Representative Joe Kennedy III will head to New Hampshire, a state that kicks off the presidential primary season, to deliver a keynote speech at a major Democratic Party dinner this fall. Kennedy, a Democrat from Newton, will be a featured speaker at the Grover Cleveland dinner this October, an event that raises money for the Carroll County Democrats. He will headline the event with onetime US Senate candidate Jason Kander of Missouri, who is making moves to run for president."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Rivera endorses Baker's re-election bid, crossing party lines," by Keith Eddings, Lawrence Eagle Tribune: "Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera endorsed Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's re-election bid at an awards dinner Thursday, crossing party lines and snubbing a Democratic Party that, like Baker, has been good to him."
- "As VP Mike Pence visited Boston, Gov. Baker came to Westport to promote his first term," by Michael Holtzman, the Herald News: "From the time the lanky governor waived casually with 'thanks everybody' to the prolonged standing ovation greeting him by about 275 people from the two area businesses chambers, until he ended with an anecdote on what 70 percent right means in his household, Charlie Baker brought a fireside chat tenor. For a half hour at White's of Westport he could have been telling stories in your living room, focused on the 'how' and 'why' of his first-term administration facing re-election over details of what they've accomplished."
- "Candidate's vow to veto justice reforms costs him support," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Democrat Setti Warren said last week that he was taking a principled stand against mandatory minimum sentences when he said he would veto a criminal justice reform bill backed unanimously by legislative Democrats, but that stand appears to be alienating the gubernatorial hopeful from some leaders in his own party. As Gov. Charlie Baker weighs whether to sign the sweeping criminal justice reform package now on his desk, Warren's position has not only shed some light on how the former Newton mayor might govern, but also exposed one of the first real pressure points in the three-way Democratic primary for governor."
- "This Black Muslim Attorney Isn't Just Running For Congress. She's Fighting For The Soul Of The Resistance.," by Ja'han Jones, HuffPost: "In her first go at politics, Tahirah Amatul-Wadud is observing some of the frustrations of a budding campaign in Massachusetts' 1st Congressional District. The Springfield attorney and mother of seven is running against the incumbent, Rep. Richard Neal, in the Sept. 4 Democratic primary ahead of a general election that's expected to heavily favor House Democrats."
MOULTON MATTERS -
- "Field growing for 6th District race," by Ethan Forman, the Salem News: "Turns out, - Congressman Seth Moulton is not the only one planning to run to represent the North Shore in Congress in 2018. Five candidates have signaled their intention to challenge the two-term congressman in the 6th District: two Republicans, a Libertarian and two non-party independents, according to information provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "HEAVY HEARTS" - Globe: "Wynn discussed selling Mass. casino," "Yarmouth officer is fatally shot," "Questions around a legend," "Dissent swells around UMass, Mt. Ida deal," "Worrying about sleep keeps us up at night."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to give 2018 Mount Holyoke College commencement address," by Jim Russell, MassLive.com: "U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, the House minority leader, will be the keynote speaker at Mount Holyoke College's 181st commencement ceremony on May 20. 'Nancy embodies the power of a women's education in developing leaders,' said Rahael Rawson, senior class president, in a college media office release."
- "Wynn Resorts in Early Talks to Sell Boston-Area Casino Project to MGM," by Kate O'Keeffe and Alexandra Berzon, Wall Street Journal: "Wynn Resorts Ltd. has been in talks to sell its partially built Boston-area casino project to rival MGM Resorts International according to people familiar with the matter, as Massachusetts regulators continue their investigation into the company's handling of sexual-misconduct allegations against founder Steve Wynn. The talks, which are over the Wynn Boston Harbor property and no other parts of the company's gambling empire, are at an early stage and may not result in a deal, the people said."
- "UMass report cautions billions needed for local climate change preparations," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "A report to be released Friday by the University of Massachusetts points to the challenges the city and the region face in funding solutions to combat climate change, with local neighborhood projects expected to amount to $2.4 billion. The report warns of the dangers of projected sea level increases in future years and decades, as recent winter storms produced nearly three feet of ocean storm surge and flooded neighborhoods from East Boston to Dorchester."
- "Political anger grows over UMass-Mount Ida deal," by Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "A swelling chorus of state lawmakers and other politicians is expressing anger and skepticism about the deal the University of Massachusetts has struck to buy struggling Mount Ida College and send its students to UMass Dartmouth. Legislators, as well as state regulators, say they are also frustrated that they have received almost no information from UMass or Mount Ida, learning about the deal to create a new Boston-area campus for UMass Amherst from the media."
- "UMass-Amherst officials say Mount Ida purchase 'a very good investment,' part of strategy to expand statewide," by Diane Lederman, MassLive.com: "University of Massachusetts Amherst officials say the acquisition of Mount Ida College is a great opportunity for the flagship's students and part of Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy's strategy to expand the Amherst campus' footprint statewide.The board of trustees from both campuses last week agreed to UMass Amherst's acquisition of the Newton college's 74 acres, assorted buildings and debt, but the state Board of Higher Education still has to approve it. "
- "Tom Ashbrook's apology not accepted," by Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe: "In this week's op-ed, Ashbrook conceded that 'high ratings are no excuse for inexcusable behavior.' That's progress. But it's not nearly enough progress for the men and women who summoned the courage to join the complaint against their former boss."
- "JFK Cuban Missile Crisis map sells for $138,798," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "A map of Cuba President John F. Kennedy used during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 was auctioned off for $138,798. The Boston-based RR Auction sold Kennedy's map of Cuba, which he referred to as his 'victory map,' to an anonymous collector in Los Angeles in an auction that ended Wednesday."
- "Tight security set for Boston Marathon, officials say," by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "On Marathon Monday, dress for rain, keep the drones in storage, and help keep lines at security checkpoints short by leaving backpacks and coolers at home, city officials said Thursday as they outlined public safety plans for the historic race."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to state Rep. David DeCoste of Norwell, Deputy Campaign Manager for Team Baker-Polito Billy Pittman, and HBO writer and researcher and former Harvard Nieman Journalism Lab writer Justin Ellis.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Brockton state Rep. Michelle DuBois, former US Rep. Chester Atkins, state Rep. Dan Cullinane aide Leon David and Laura Keehner Rigas, director of communications for the U.S. Interior Department and an ACU alum, who all celebrate on Saturday and to Sunday birthday-er director of media and public relations at Boston's department of neighborhood development Lisa Mansdorf Pollack.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Bruins crushed the Leafs 5-1, starting their playoff run with a bang and the Red Sox beat the Yankees 6-3. The Celtics begin their playoff campaign against the Bucks on Sunday.
JUST OUT OF THE GATE - 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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