Election winners and losers

From: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook - Wednesday Nov 08,2023 12:53 pm

Nov 08, 2023

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THE DEBRIEF — Republicans won a crucial (for them, at least) special state Senate race, progressives powered through in Boston and at least four mayors are out of a job in a series of not-all-stunning upsets. Let's get into it:

REPUBLICANS RESURRECT — GOP state Rep. Peter Durant defeated Democratic state Rep. Jon Zlotnik in the special Senate election to succeed Anne Gobi, flipping a seat Democrats have held for decades and delivering Republicans a major boost to party morale, but not legislative power. Democrats will keep their supermajority in the 40-member Senate, where Republicans’ so-called minority crescent will grow to four.

Republicans went all-in for Durant — well, as much as they could given their financial straits — in this competitive central and western Massachusetts district as new MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale sought to prove to activists and donors that she could reverse the party’s fortunes after dismal showings in last year’s elections. In a sign of how important this race was to the GOP: Carnevale and members of the Republican National Committee were on hand for Durant’s victory speech. Republicans also held mayoral seats in Taunton and Weymouth yesterday, but lost two open seats they were contesting.

In a way, Republicans have Democratic Gov. Maura Healey to thank for what they’ll now be able to spin as a success story for their struggling party. The Senate race wouldn’t have happened if Healey hadn’t tapped Gobi as her rural affairs director. And endorsements from the governor and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll weren’t enough to put Zlotnik over the top.

Instead, in picking Durant, an outspoken critic of the gun restrictions Democrats are pushing on Beacon Hill and of Healey’s response to the shelter crisis being driven in part by a migrant surge, voters sent another warning sign to the governor that those issues could be gaining political salience.

“The fact that in this off year we were able to flip a district that had for 50 years been held by a Democrat is really significant," Carnevale said. "And it shows that with the right candidate, working together with the party and executing a strategic plan, we can win."

So, now what? The MassGOP is still out of power on Beacon Hill and in debt. Zlotnik told Playbook he plans to run for his House seat again next year. And Democrats are already plotting to take back the Senate seat. Zlotnik “ran a strong campaign” but “this was always a tough race,” MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan told Playbook. “Make no mistake, in 2024 this will be a far different race.” More from GBH and the Boston Herald.

MEANWHILE, IN BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu won big, and she wasn’t even on the ballot.

Each of the four candidates Wu backed in the city’s council races — Enrique Pepén in District 5, Ben Weber in District 6, City Councilor Sharon Durkan in District 8 and Henry Santana in the at-large race — claimed seats on the legislative body that is on track to see its progressive majority expand next year. Weber is the only one of the four who hasn’t worked for Wu before.

“We saw voters across Boston choosing leadership with values and determination to build a city for everyone, and with the track record and experience to get it done,” Wu told reporters outside of an emotional Santana’s victory party in Mission Hill. And to be clear, Wu said, those values are “absolutely” progressive. It’s a solid springboard for her 2025 reelection campaign — if, and more likely when, she takes that plunge.

But resistance to Wu’s agenda and progressivism remains. Councilor Erin Murphy, who typically votes with the council’s more centrist bloc, was emphatic at her victory party that “we need somebody who’s not going to be a rubber stamp” for the mayor. To that end, keep an eye on how John FitzGerald — a more moderate Democrat backed by former mayor and past Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who’s taking over for stalwart centrist Frank Baker in District 3 — votes next term. More from the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.

Scenes from Election Day

Top: The calm before the voting storm in Melrose. Bottom left: Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe speaks to a voter outside a polling location in Revere. Bottom right: Boston City Councilor-elect Enrique Pepén embraces his former boss, ex-Rep. Joe Kennedy III, at his election watch party. | Kristin Foote/Courtesy; Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO; Kelly Garrity/POLITICO

UPSET CITY — The power of incumbency didn’t protect everyone on the ballot yesterday. At least four mayors fell short in their reelection bids.

In Woburn, Mayor Scott Galvin lost to City Council President Michael Concannon. Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale was unseated by City Councilor Samantha Squailia. Former Braintree planning board chair Erin Joyce defeated incumbent Mayor Charles Kokoros. And in Greenfield, City Councilor Virginia "Ginny" DeSorgher trounced incumbent Mayor Roxann Wedegartner.

Incumbents fared better elsewhere, with Springfield Mayor Domenico Sarno, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga, Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau and Worcester Mayor Joe Petty fending off challenges from current and former city councilors. Mayors also won reelection in New Bedford, North Adams, Gardner, Brockton, Somerville, Methuen, Peabody, Westfield, Beverly and Malden. Others ran unopposed. And voters ushered in new leaders in open-seat races from Haverhill to Pittsfield. More on that below. And remember, all these results are based on unofficial tallies.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. In a total gear-shift, the third GOP presidential debate is tonight. Keep it locked on POLITICO’s homepage for the latest.

TODAY — Healey speaks at a Health Policy Commission hearing at 10 a.m. at Suffolk University Law School. Driscoll speaks at the New England Affordable Housing Management Association’s annual conference at 9 a.m. in Norwood. Auditor Diana DiZoglio chairs a Municipal Finance Oversight Board meeting at 10 a.m.

Tips? Scoops? Election takeaways? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com.

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

Delta Dental of Massachusetts is a strong advocate for brushing and flossing daily, visiting your dentist, and expressing your health. Daily oral health habits can make a huge difference in your overall health and well-being. Additionally, by maintaining good oral hygiene, you are helping your future self avoid problems such as diabetes, heart disease and dementia. Speak with your dentist or learn more information at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

NEW BEGINNINGS — Haverhill elected its first new mayor in 20 years in City Councilor Melinda Barrett, as open-seat races paved the way for new leadership in several cities. In Pittsfield, City Council President Peter Marchetti beat former City Councilor John Krol. Melrose City Councilor Jen Grigoraitis defeated former City Councilor Monica Medeiros Solano. Agawam City Council President Christopher Johnson beat City Councilor Cecilia Calabrese. And Marlborough City Councilor J. Christian Dumais won out over Councilor Samantha Perlman.

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK — Former mayors had no luck getting their old jobs back in Revere and Fall River. One-term mayor and City Councilor Dan Rizzo lost to Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe in Revere, while Sam Sutter lost to Mayor Paul Coogan in Fall River.

THE FIRSTS — Barrett became the first woman elected mayor of Haverhill and Joyce the first woman elected mayor of Braintree. Dumais is reportedly Marlborough's first openly gay mayor.

HOW HEALEY AND DRISCOLL FARED — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll endorsed more than a dozen candidates. Almost all of them won.

— THE WINNERS: Mayors Gary Christenson in Malden, Thomas Koch in Quincy, Paul Coogan in Fall River, Michael Nicholson in Gardner, Katjana Ballantyne in Somerville, Greg Verga in Gloucester and Kassandra Gove in Amesbury, plus Barrett in Haverhill, Grigoraitis in Melrose and Keefe in Revere.

— THE LOSERS: Mayor Roxann Wedegartner in Greenfield and state Rep. Jon Zlotnik in the Senate special election.

— THE ???: Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn claimed victory in Medford. But her opponent, City Councilor Rick Caraviello, hasn’t conceded because of what his campaign described as “irregularities in the vote-counting process,” per a spokesperson.

GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.

MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND

HISTORY MADE — Obama and Biden White House alum Gabe Amo will be the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress after being elected to finish out Rep. David Cicilline’s term. The Democrat easily defeated Republican political newcomer Gerry Leonard in what was considered a safe-blue district. More from WPRI, the Boston Globe and POLITICO’s Madison Fernandez.

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

MANCHESTER GOES RED — Republican Jay Ruais flipped the mayor’s seat in Manchester. It's a blow to outgoing mayor and Democrat Joyce Craig, who is running to succeed Republican Chris Sununu as governor and who had backed Democrat Kevin Cavanaugh for the city's top job. Craig congratulated Ruais in a statement, saying she believes “he shares our dedication to making our city stronger for everyone.” More from WMUR.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP

THE HYPERLOCAL TAKE — “Book restriction candidates lose in Attleboro school board race,” by Jim Hand, The Sun Chronicle.

THE NATIONAL TAKE — “Abortion rights backers extend post-Dobbs winning streak in Ohio,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein, POLITICO.

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

SHELTER SUPPORTS — The Healey administration is putting $5 million into a grant program to help faith-based groups and other local organizations set up temporary overnight shelters for families and pregnant women who will be waitlisted once the emergency shelter system reaches the governor’s self-imposed 7,500-family cap. There were 7,456 families in the system yesterday.

But neither the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, which is administering the grants, nor Lt. Gen. Scott Rice, the National Guard veteran overseeing the state’s emergency assistance program, could say yesterday how many sites there would be, when they would become operational and how many families they could serve — even with the shelter system expected to reach capacity in the next two days.

“We’ve already begun to work through the contracting process with the commonwealth to identify sites that are safe,” United Way of Massachusetts Bay president and CEO Bob Giannino told reporters at the State House.

The state is also activating another 75 National Guard members (for a total of 375) to help at existing shelter sites, including hotels, and at the legal clinic the state is holding with federal Homeland Security officials next week to help process migrants’ work permits. A second clinic is now being planned for the week of Nov. 27.

Meanwhile, House lawmakers will vote today on a $2.7 billion spending bill to close the books on the last fiscal year that includes the $250 million the governor wanted for the shelter system — with conditions. The bill would designate $50 million for creating overflow emergency shelter(s) for waitlisted families. But the money could come with the caveat: If a site isn’t operational within 30 days, the housing secretary would have to revoke the 7,500-family capacity limit until it is.

The bill also requests Healey administration officials provide 60 days' notice if they plan to limit how long families can stay in the emergency shelter system. Healey is considering limiting shelter stays as another way to free up space. More from the Boston Herald’s Chris Van Buskirk and Axios Boston’s Steph Solis.

PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

VP VISIT — Vice President Kamala Harris will return to Boston tomorrow for a “moderated conversation” with people enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs ahead of National Apprenticeship Week. She’ll also be participating in a high-dollar political fundraiser, our own Daniel Lippman previously reported.

— “Brandeis bans controversial student group, plunging into free speech debate,” by Mike Damiano, Boston Globe: “The president of Brandeis University banned a pro-Palestinian student group on Monday over social media posts that defended Hamas, provoking condemnation from a free speech advocacy organization and thrusting the school into the maelstrom of public disputes over what kinds of expression a private institution must tolerate.”

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

A healthy smile is a powerful thing, so it’s never too early to start practicing good oral hygiene. Although baby teeth are only around for part of your child’s life, they play a significant role in how their smile will develop. Baby teeth assist with eating, influence speech development, and hold space for permanent teeth to grow in later. Therefore, it is imperative that parents help take good care of their child’s smile. If baby teeth are not properly cared for, they can potentially damage permanent teeth and/or cause neighboring teeth to shift, which would require orthodontic treatment later in life. When the first tooth shows up, begin brushing it in soft, gentle circles twice a day. Continue helping your child and take them to regular dental appointments in order to keep their smile healthy. Speak with your dentist and learn more tips and tricks at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

SPOTTED — at the 50th (!) Election Day lunch at Santarpio’s in Eastie, hosted this year by Councilor Gabriela “Gigi” Coletta (who just won reelection): state Sen. Lydia Edwards, state Rep. Adrian Madaro, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, at-large Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune (who also won reelection) and Michael Flaherty, reelected District 8 Councilor Sharon Durkan, at-large Councilor-elect Henry Santana, former state Senate President Robert Travaglini and former Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Tom Connors.

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