Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?

Friday, May 24, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Tim Murray

Every Friday, GoLocalWorcester takes a look at who's rising and falling in the Massachusetts political world. This week was the week Tim Murray came home.

WHO'S HOT

Tim Murray -- The Lt. Governor scored a $200,000 a year CEO slot as head of the Greater Worcester Chamber of Commerce. The former Mayor who lived through Beacon Hill politics, a near death car crash and weekly beat downs by Howie Carr will return to his hometown and try and turn the Chamber around. The organization has been reeling from budget issues and shrinking membership. The organization needs to transition from a networking organization to a business advocacy and economic spark for business growth.

Gabriel Gomez -- Ed Markey has to be banging his head against the wall. Each week Gomez looks more senatorial and Markey looks more like machine politician. The race will come down to the wire. MA GOP may rather him lose and then run for Governor or be Lt. Governor candidate with Scott Brown going for Governor.

Scott Brown and Gabriel Gomez - If Gomez loses, could any Democratic ticket beat a Brown-Gomez campaign?

Elizabeth Warren -- From kicking bankers up and down Wall Street to now becoming the legislative voice for those looking at crushing student loan debt, the senior Senator takes top marks as usual for her recent moves.

Worcester Staples Associate, Emily McCann - Thanks to McCann, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MA was awarded $7,500 through a new program called 2 Million & Change, which awards grants to organizations focused on education or job skills. What is different about this philanthropic initiative is that it empowers local Staples associates to choose the non-profit organization who receives funding, thus engaging employees and encouraging community involvement.

Martha Coakley -- Attorney General Martha Coakley’s awarded $500,000 in grants to help provide access to mental health services to Massachusetts veterans and their families. The funding source is apile of money from a June 2012 settlement with the Life Insurance Company of North America (LINA). In the settlement, the company agreed to pay $1.7 million to settle allegations that it marketed its health insurance through a variety of improper tactics to more than 1,000 Massachusetts veterans.

Not Hot

Rep. John Fresolo -- The Worcester Democrat resigned just days after his Ethics Committee hearing. The good news for Fresolo is that his mentor, former Congressman Weiner, announced that he was on the comeback ttrail and would run for Mayor of New York. Watchout Joe Petty.

Worcester's Influence on Beacon Hill -- The loss of Murray is a hit to Worcester's ability to lobby and impact the decision-making in the State House. Not only is Murray out, Fresolo resigns, but the chances of a GOP Governor are looking better and better each day. With a GOP Governor, does the Chamber pick up or lose influence on important business issues on Beacon Hill with Murray at the helm?

President Obama - Another tough week for the Administration with no answers on Libya, IRS or going after the media for leaks. Low point was when a senior IRS official took the 5th at a Congressional hearing.

Editors Note: We technically are leaving Mayor Petty off the Not Hot list this week because he did post on to Facebook an opinion - he voiced support for the Chamber selecting Murray. He has still yet to take a position on the bomber being dumped in Worcester or a proposed gambling facility.

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Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?

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