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

Friday, May 03, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Politics Team

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

HOT

Gabriel Gomez is hot – smoking hot. The former Navy SEAL came out of nowhere to crush former U.S. Attorney Sullivan and State Senator Dan Winslow. Gomez has the dream resume for any candidate – humble beginnings, service to the country and business success. He may not beat Markey this time around but could be Governor or President in the future.

Mass College of Pharmacy – forget all the other economic development plans for downtown Worcester; nothing has improved the energy and value of downtown more than the smart students who attend the college.

Barbara Nealon is the Director of Social Services and Multicultural Services at Heywood Hospital in Gardner (MA); Deborah Penta is the President and CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc., Kathleen Ivanowski is the Visual Arts Curriculum Liaison for the Worcester Public Schools; Mable Millner is the Associate Dean at the College of the Holy Cross; and Meridith Wesby is the Administrator of the Fred Harris Daniels Foundation, a local private foundation - all got proper recognition from the YWCA.

Elizabeth Warren stays hot. She continues to emerge as a powerful force in the Democratic party nationally - a voice on Wall Street reform and is now the star attraction at Democratic fundraising event.

National GOP (If they support Gomez) - After the collapse of the GOP in the Presidential and Congressional relations in 2012, it became apparent that the GOP had little to no support from the fast growing Hispanic population across the US. Just 6 months later, Gabriel Gomez spends his own money, speaks Spanish and sports a near perfect resume. Now, the challenge is on for the GOP to seize the opportunity and help turn Gomez into a national play.

John Giangregorio with the Canal District Alliance - are featured as part of Southern New England Discovery Tours, in conjunction with the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, will be coordinating 14 "discovery tours" throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut that day.

NOT:

FBI - the Russian government and the CIA tag someone as a potential terrorist then maybe the FBI should keep a slightly better eye on the individual.

UMass Dartmouth - the University looks like a party school full of brainless students. A terrorist and his friends partied while dozens of wounded were treated by hospitals. Now, it come out that his friends were hiding evidence from law enforcement - not helpful to the school's reputation.

Mayor Petty - his lack of opinion and leadership on the proposed slot casino in Worcester is unimaginable. Is he for it? Is he against it? Is the deal fair? Should the City receive more? Should there be set asides for local jobs? Should the developers be told to pack up? We are still waiting. Why take a position on a proposed gaming facility in your city when you are busy with ribbon cuttings.