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

Friday, January 25, 2013

Adam Joseph Drici, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Every Friday, GoLocalWorcester takes a look at who's rising and falling in the Massachusetts political world.

Hot

Ed Markey: The Congressman picked up several more endorsements for his presumptive run in a Senate special election following John Kerry's confirmation as secretary of state, including a nod from House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, who has said he would like to be appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to serve as the interim Senator in the run-up to the special election, threw his support behind Markey earlier this month. Kerry himself has also indicated that he would back Markey, though has stopped short of making any formal endorsement. Meanwhile, Markey remains the only candidate from either party to formally announce their candidacy in the special election, which seems all the more likely after Kerry's positive confirmation hearing in the Senate on Thursday.

Jim McGovern: The Worcester Congressman introduced two Constitutional amendments this week to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case, which allowed unlimited corporate and special interest money to enter electoral politics. The first amendment would empower Congress and the states to regulate political spending and allow Congress to pass campaign finance reform laws that would stand up to Constitutional challenges. The second amendment would overturn Citizens United, and, as the "People's Rights Amendment," would turn back the dial on corporations claiming first amendment rights.

Steve Grossman: With Tim Murray out of the governor's race, Grossman is looking more and more like the top prospect from the Democratic camp. The state Treasurer has said he is leaning toward a run, and having tried for the office back in 2002 and had a successful campaign for Treasurer since then, Grossman seems to have the necessary infrastructure in place. He also raised $352,038 in 2012, and had $444,572 in the bank as of mid-January.

Donald Berwick: The healthcare expert and forme Obama Medicare chief continues to mull over a run for governor next year, and his move to create a fundraising committee this week shows some increasing seriousness about his intentions for Beacon Hill this week.

Not

Michael McLaughlin: The former Chelsea Housing Authority director was charged in federal court on Wednesday for allegedly underreporting his salary while serving as housing chief. McLaughlin's ties to Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray have been questioned, and his fundraising on behalf of Murray may have violated campaign finance laws.

Tim Murray: After backing out of a run for governor in order to spend more time with his family last week, Murray could find himself dragged into the mess surrounding McLaughlin after reports on Thursday indicated that the Office of Campaign and Political Finance submitted a letter to the Attorney General's office back in September indicating that McLauglin, Murray, and the Lieutenant Governor's campaign committee may have violated campaign finance laws.

Patrick's taxes: The decreased income tax/incresed income tax plan the Governor laid out has received mixed reviews. While a sales tax sounds nice to most, adding candy and soda that tax, somewhat less so. Whether the double exemptions would undo some of the added burden under a 6.25 percent income tax is unclear, but Bay Staters know a 0 percent income tax rate is just up the road to the north.