TUESDAY PRIMARY MAY help solidify the state’s deep blue position, with Maura Healey one step closer to dislodging Republicans from the only foothold they’ve had in top Massachusetts offices. But the election also highlighted something often lost in caricatures of the state as a haven for far-left political orthodoxy: The center of gravity in Massachusetts often falls to center-left Democrats who aren’t traveling in the most progressive lane in disputed primaries.
That was evident everywhere on the statewide ballot, beginning with Healey’s landslide victory for governor after progressive state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz dropped out of the race in June. In his victory speech last night, Healey nominated outgoing Republican Governor Charlie Baker not once, but twice, sending a clear signal to more of Baker’s middle voters that he is seeking to win his support.
What politicalby Lisa Kashinsky points this morning, it was a total drubbing of the leftists, with all the candidates backed by groups Progressive Massachusetts or Our Revolution falling in defeat, or abandoning their races even before they got to primary day. What Commonwealthby Shira Schoenberg reportshe was also a rough ride for criminal justice reformers in various district attorney races.
The biggest loss of the night for an elected official not on the ballot may have been Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. The mayor, who has often spoken of the “urgency” to be bold on everything from transportation to climate policy, has shown a similar willingness to plunge headlong into other political careers, putting her cards on the table in contests where other politicians could stay. bring them closer to the vest.
In Tuesday’s primary, he joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren in bidding on attorney general candidate Shannon Liss-Riordan. By endorsing the billionaire Brookline employment lawyer, Wu snubbed her former Boston City Council colleague Andrea Campbell, who won a decisive victory despite Liss-Riordan pouring $9.3 million into the race, and is now poised to become the first African American. woman to win statewide office in Massachusetts.
The race did not split sharply along ideological lines, with Healey, Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley supporting Campbell in what became something of a progressive political proxy battle against Warren and Wu.
Wu also found herself embroiled, with many other progressive politicians, in the ugly race for Suffolk County district attorney. She had endorsed challenger Ricardo Arroyo, but withdrew her support from him in the face of a years-long accusation of sexual assault against him.
Tensions with current District Attorney Kevin Hayden arose as soon as Wu announced his support for Arroyo in May. “If Mayor Wu believes that a rookie attorney with no public safety experience should be the top law enforcement officer in the county, that is her choice,” a spokesperson for Hayden said at the time. “We trust that voters will not agree.”
Even in rescinding his endorsement of Arroyo last month, Wu took a swing at Hayden. “I continue to have serious concerns about Mr. Hayden’s judgment in the prosecution of the cases, his handling of the media scrutiny of the pending cases, and his conduct in office,” he said in his statement. Hayden has faced his own controversy over reports that he was prepared to drop any charges against a Transit Police officer involved in a cover-up related to a traffic stop with a black Hispanic man.
Wu had made it clear that her values more closely aligned with Arroyo’s, but jumping into the race prepared her to help handle Boston’s public safety and crime problems alongside a prosecutor she has strongly criticized. That is now the situation after Hayden’s victory on Tuesday.
MICHAEL JONAS
OF COMMONWEALTH
Campbell wins: Andrea Campbell, who is seeking to become the first black woman to win statewide office in Massachusetts, easily won the Democratic primary for attorney general over labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan. She now faces Republican Jay McMahon in the November finale. Liss-Riordan put more than $9 million into the race, but ended up losing by a 51 to 34 percent margin.
– In other Democratic state primary contests, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll defeated two challengers to win the lieutenant governor race, Sen. Diana DiZoglio beat Chris Dempsey in the auditor race, and Secretary of State William Galvin easily defeated Tanisha Sullivan in her quest for an eighth four-year term. read more.
Hard times for reformers: It was a tough primary election night for reform district attorney candidates. Ricardo Arroyo was defeated by Kevin Hayden in the Suffolk County District Attorney race, Berkshire incumbent Andrea Harrington was ousted by Timothy Shugrue and Shannon McMahon lost to Bristol District Attorney incumbent Thomas Quinn. read more.
Diehl vs. Healey: Geoff Diehl, who had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, defeated first-time candidate Chris Doughty in the Republican primary for governor. Dealey, who had $16,696 in her campaign account at the end of August, goes on to take on Attorney General Maura Healey, who was unchallenged in the primary and ended August with $4.7 million in her campaign account. she.
– Trump, who on Monday night hailed Diehl as the only conservative in the gubernatorial race and promised he would rule the state “with an iron fist,” is likely to play a prominent role in the race. Healey sued the Trump administration nearly 100 times, often in conjunction with other states. read more.
Miranda moves to the Senate: In the five-person race to succeed Boston’s Sonia Chang-Diaz in the Massachusetts Senate, Rep. Liz Miranda emerged victorious. Rep. Nika Elugardo came in second, followed by former state senator Dianne Wilkerson, retired housing official Miniard Culpepper and activist James Grant. No Republicans are running for the seat. read more.
Passengers travel but make fewer trips: MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said the transit authority has brought back all of its regular riders, but they aren’t making as many trips as they used to. He made that point while showing repair work on the closed Orange Line, where he said 59 percent of the planned work was done. read more.
FROM THE WEB
WASHINGTON/DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL
the Washington Post reports that documents seized from the home of former President Donald Trump included top-secret files related to the nuclear weapons capabilities of foreign governments.
ELECTIONS
Essex Democratic District Attorney’s Race Among state Rep. Paul Tucker and James O’Shea remain too close to call. (Salem News)
Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux declares victory in the Democratic primary for Bristol County sheriff, even as the race seemed close. He will face Sheriff Thomas Hodgson in November. (standard hours)
the Springfield RepublicanRon Chimelis discusses what went wrong on Senator Eric Lesser’s campaign for Lt. Governor and what Lesser’s future may hold.
Senate Races: State Representative Jake Oliveira of Ludlow He wins Democratic primary for the state Senate seat to be vacated by Lesser. (live mass) YWCA Executive Robyn Kennedy defeats Worcester Mayor Joe Petty will win the Democratic primary for the Worcester State Senate seat now held by Sen. Harriette Chandler. (Telegram and Gazette) Representative Paul Mark win the Democratic primary for the seat vacated by Senator Adam Hinds. (Berkshire Eagle)
Internal Careers: Political newcomer Shirley Arriaga, teacher and Air Force Reserve veteran, inconvenience Chicopee City Councilman Joel McAuliffe will win the Democratic primary to fill the eighth Hampden state House seat vacated by Rep. Joe Wagner. (live mass) Representative Sarah Peake turned easily a challenge from Jack Stanton (Cape Cod Times), while representative Tommy Vitolo he did the same in his race against Raul Fernandes. (Patch) Priscila Sousa won the Democratic nomination for the new majority-minority seat in MetroWest. (MetroWest Daily News) Chris Worrell won the Democratic primary race to replace Liz Miranda. (Dorchester Reporter)
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
Juul, the electronic cigarette company, agree to pay $438.5 million to settle a multi-state lawsuit alleging the company aggressively marketed its vaping products to teens. (Mixable)
ART/CULTURE
A Berkshire Eagle editorial appearance on the long road back for arts organizations.
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
experts worry about how New England’s power grid will hold up this winter. (USA Network Today)
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MEDIA
According to reports, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution prepares to stop producing its print edition. (Media Nation)
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