STATE SEN. SONIA CHANG-DIAZ’S mother was a social worker, who helped women and children living on the margins overcome systemic barriers. Her father was a Costa Rican-born NASA astronaut who tied the record for the most space flights launched from Earth. Chang-Diaz, a Boston Democrat running for governor, said her mother’s work shaped her desire […]
Massachusetts politics
Posted inThe Download
GOP gov hopeful Doughty taps former rep as unofficial running mate
Can a largely unknown gubernatorial candidate, who is the underdog in a primary race in a cratering political party, get a little oomph by announcing that a largely unknown former state rep will be his unofficial running mate? That sort of framing doesn’t suggest an auspicious impact. On the other hand, it’s hard to say […]
Posted inThe Download
Rollins reforms loom over Suffolk DA race
RACHAEL ROLLINS’S name won’t be on the ballot this year, but her approach to prosecution in Suffolk County may end up being front and center. Rollins – both by personality and policy – shook up the prosecutorial landscape in the state with her 2018 election as Suffolk County district attorney. The blunt-talking reformer held little […]
Posted inThe Download
Words matter, particularly with poll questions
Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story gave the incorrect date for the initial poll on the so-called millionaire tax. The two polls were a year apart, not a month apart. A poll released in mid-January 2021 indicated 69 percent of registered voters in Massachusetts either strongly support or somewhat support the […]
Posted inPolitics
Words matter, particularly with poll questions
Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story gave the incorrect date for the initial poll on the so-called millionaire tax. The two polls were a year apart, not a month apart. A POLL released in mid-January 2021 indicated 69 percent of registered voters in Massachusetts either strongly support or somewhat support the constitutional […]
Posted inPolitics
Meet Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne
One in series looking at newly elected mayors across Massachusetts. FORMER SOMERVILLE mayor Joe Curtatone was known statewide for his harsh criticism of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, and his pithy soundbites about topics of national importance. Newly elected Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne represents a major change in style. Ballantyne, 59, is steeped in the minutiae of […]
Posted inThe Download
Labor unions top PAC fundraising
Organized labor, always a powerful force in Democratic-dominated Massachusetts, continues to hold sway heading into the 2022 election season – and nowhere is that clearer than in fundraising. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance put out a newsletter Thursday listing the 10 political action committees with the largest bank accounts at the end of […]
Posted inPolitics
Labor unions top PAC fundraising
ORGANIZED LABOR, always a powerful force in Democratic-dominated Massachusetts, continues to hold sway heading into the 2022 election season – and nowhere is that clearer than in fundraising. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance put out a newsletter Thursday listing the 10 political action committees with the largest bank accounts at the end of […]
Posted inPolitics
New Lawrence mayor says it’s now the people’s turn
One in a series on newly-elected mayors in the Commonwealth. LAWRENCE MAYOR Brian A. DePeña is a bit of a throwback. He likes to meet one-on-one with his constituents, holding office hours every Friday from 1 p.m. until whenever the last person leaves. It’s a mayor-of-the-people approach that has resonated with voters in this community […]
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Package stores pushing ‘compromise’ ballot question
RYAN MALONEY, the owner of Julio’s Liquors in Westborough, Massachusetts, sits in his office with a baseball cap hanging behind him that says, “Alcohol you later.” He looks a visitor up and down, squints, and says, “I’d ID you.” For Maloney, alcohol is a livelihood, and that’s why he’s supporting the Massachusetts Package Stores Association’s […]