Happening Today
Post-election analysis, flag ceremony and more
— The Hampshire County town of Williamsburg joins most of the other 351 Massachusetts municipalities in displaying their local colors on the walls of the Great Hall, with Rep. Steve Kulik and Sen. Adam Hinds attending, Great Hall, 12:30 p.m.
— U.S. Rep. Richard Neal holds a post-election press availability, U.S. Federal Courthouse, 300 State Street, Springfield, 1 p.m.
— Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders chairs a meeting of the new Recovery Coach Commission, which was established this summer under the new opioid law, McCormack Building – 21st floor, Boston, 3 p.m.
— The Horse Race podcast will host a live taping to discuss the results of yesterday’s election, with co-hosts Steve Koczela, president of the MassINC Polling Group, and Jennifer Smith, news editor of the Dorchester Reporter, both of whom will be joined by Baker-Polito campaign manager Brian Wynne, Suffolk district attorney candidate Rachael Rollins and Boston City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu, WeWork One Beacon, 1 Beacon St., 15th Floor, Boston, 6 p.m.
— Harvard Kennedy School of Government holds a conversation with Democratic political strategist Symone Sanders and Republican political strategist Douglas Heye on the midterm election results, JFK Jr. Forum, Harvard Kennedy School, 79 JFK St., Cambridge, 6 p.m.
— Treasurer Deborah Goldberg addresses the 72nd Annual Dinner and Powderhouse Awards as its keynote speaker, Holiday Inn, 30 Washington St., Somerville, 6:30 p.m.
For more calendar listings, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available) and MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.
Today’s Stories
National elections: So what does Dem control of U.S. House mean for Massachusetts?
Since yesterday was effectively a national referendum on Donald Trump, let’s get the national stuff out of the way first. As the Washington Post reports, Democrats did indeed win back control of the U.S. House yesterday – and WGBH’s Andy Metzger asks: ‘What does this mean for Massachusetts.’ Spoiler: It means Massachusetts Dems will now chair two very powerful House committees. … From the Herald’s Joe Battenfeld: ‘The House gets swathed in a deep shade of blue.’
But Republicans did retain, and even expanded, their control of the U.S. Senate, prompting The Hill to pronounce: ‘The blue wave ran into Trump’s red wall.’ … From the Globe’s Scot Lehigh: ‘Not a blue wave, but an important splash.’ … In other election news from around the country, from the NYT: ‘Ted Cruz Defeats Beto O’Rourke for Senate in Texas.’ … From the NYT: ‘Democrats Oust Walker in Wisconsin and Kobach in Kansas but Fall Short in Florida and Ohio.’ … From the Atlanta J-C in Georgia: ‘Kemp confident of victory, Abrams predicts runoff.’ … Now on to the local races. …
Baker rolls to victory in governor’s race: Now what?
As expected, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker easily won re-election for a second term, hauling in 67 percent of the vote over Dem challenger Jay Gonzalez, as the Globe’s Joshua Miller and Matt Stout report. The Herald’s Mary Markos reports Baker won with a lot of Democratic support.
The question now: What does Baker do now? In an editorial, the Globe is urging the governor to expend some of his political capital on the issues of education, housing and transportation. … The Globe’s Joan Vennochi wonders if Baker is dreaming about 2020 yet. It’s unlikely. But you never know. … The Herald’s Howie Carr wants Baker officially outed as a Democrat. … The Herald’s Hillary Chabot says Baker will face an “unsettled” legislature in his second term. … SHNS’s Colin Young (pay wall) says Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito is mum about her own future political ambitions. And, finally, Antonio Caban at WGBH reports that Baker’s victory, combined with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s victory, means Massachusetts now has a sort of purplish tint.
U.S. Senate: Warren easily wins – and it’s now onto 2020
In pre-election polls, it looked like U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s support might be slipping a bit. Not so. She scored a solid victory last night, nabbing about 60 percent of the vote, putting her in a good position to do what she really wants to do: Run for president. The Globe’s Victoria McGrane and Laura Krantz and the Herald’s Sean Phillip Cotter have the details. How eager is Warren to get started on her next race? She’s off to Rhode Island today, reports the Providence Journal.
But Republican candidate Geoff Diehl may have won, sort of, by boosting his profile for future runs, reports the Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter. But Rachelle Cohen wasn’t too impressed with his campaign, saying “Mr. Cellophane left Warren perfectly free to campaign whenever and wherever she pleased.”
Ballot Questions: No on Q1 (overwhelmingly so), Yes on Q3 (overwhelmingly so)
The controversial nurse-staffing Question 1 was overwhelmingly rejected yesterday. We’re talking crushed beyond recognition. Martha Bebinger at WBUR and Priyanka Dayal McCluskey and Andy Rosen at the Globe have the lopsided-vote details. Backers of Question 1 are vowing the long-term battle over nurse-staffing-ratios isn’t over, reports Nik DeCosta-Klipa at Boston.com.
On Question 3, voters overwhelmingly voted to keep the state’s new transgender rights law, reports Stephanie Ebbert at the Globe. In pre-election polls, voters consistently signaled their desire to keep the law – and they didn’t waver yesterday.
Other statewide election results: ‘GOP futility continues’
None of the races for AG, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor were even close. From Michael Norton at SHNS: “Voters granted new four-year terms, beginning in January, to Secretary of State William Galvin, Attorney General Maura Healey, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Auditor Suzanne Bump. With nearly 40 percent of the vote counted, the Democrats were rolling to re-election – Galvin had more than 70 percent of the votes cast in his race, Healey 69 percent, Goldberg 67 percent and Bump 61 percent.”
Legislative races: Lyons and Ross lose in upsets, O’Connell wins and more
Generally, Democrats did well yesterday in State House races, though not in all races. Here’s a sampling of some of last night’s results: From the Eagle-Tribune: ‘In upset, Democrat Nguyen takes Lyons’ seat.’ … From Henry Shwan at Wicked Local: ‘Democrat Becca Raush upset winner over Republican state Sen. Richard Ross.’ … From Charles Winokoor at the Enterprise: ‘O’Connell defeats challengers Farrer to keep Taunton state rep seat.’ … From Mark Sullivan at the Telegram: ‘LeBoeuf reclaims open seat for Dems.’ … From Kristen Young at the Cape Cod Times: ‘Crocker defeats challenger Cusack in 2nd Barnstable.’ … From Geoff Spillane at the Cape Cod Times: ‘Cyr wins re-election to Cape and Islands Senate seat.’ … From Mary Whitfill at Wicked Local: ‘Democrat Kearney defeats two challengers in 4th Plymouth.’ … From the Enterprise: ‘Rep. Susan Willams Gifford re-elected.’
Local Congressional races: It’s a Democratic sweep – as usual
The state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation will stay all Democratic, following yesterday elections. … From Chris Lisisnki of the Lowell Sun: ‘Trahan trounces opponents to keep 3rd District seat Democratic.’ … From Geoff Spillane at the Cape Cod Times: ‘Keating returns to Congress for fifth term after dispatching Tedeschi.’ … From Gayla Cawley at the Lynn Item: ‘Moulton marches to re-election in the 6th.’ … From Dan Glaun at MassLive: ‘McGovern fends off challenge, poised to helm Rules committee.
District Attorney races: Rollins, Harrington, Early
It was an historic night in Suffolk County, as Rachael Rollins rolled to an easy victory to become the county’s first black female top prosecutor. Maria Cramer and Jackson Cote at the Globe have the details. … In other DA news, from Amanda Drane at the Berkshire Eagle: ‘Harrington poised to be next Berkshire DA.’ … From Brad Petrishen at the Telegram: ‘Worcester DA Joseph Early easily elected to fourth term.’
Across New England, it was a night of historic firsts
A first female governor, a first openly gay congressman and a first African-American female congresswoman. It all happened across New England last night. Here goes: From the Portland Press Herald: ‘Janet Mills becomes first woman elected Maine governor.’ … From the Hartford Courant: ‘Jahana Hayes Wins, Becomes 1st Black Woman From Connecticut In Congress.’ … From the Union Leader in NH: ‘Pappas takes historic 1st CD race.’
In other New England races: From the Providence Journal: ‘Raimondo reelected to second terms as R.I. governor.’ … From the Hartford Courant: ‘Lamont Pulls Ahead Of Stefanowski With 90 Percent Of Vote Counted In Connecticut Governor’s Race.’ … From the Burlington Free Press: ‘Gov. Phil Scott overcomes Hallquist challenge.’
Was DeLeo rebuked last night too?
The non-binding referendum questions were meant to embarrass House Speaker Robert DeLeo – and one could argue that the mission was accomplished yesterday. The Globe’s Danny McDonald Danny McDonald has the results on the loaded anti-DeLeo questions on the ballots in Winthrop and parts of Revere.
‘Dear Utah …’
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will indeed soon be U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, after his easy triumph yesterday in Utah, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune. At WGBH, David Bernstein has written a friendly “Dear Utah …” letter to the good people of Utah, kindly informing them what to expect from our former corner-office occupant.
Fall River Council votes no confidence in mayor
As most people were glued to their TVs last night for election results, the Fall River city council was busy with other matters. From Laura Crimaldi at the Globe: “The Fall River City Council Tuesday night overwhelmingly approved a no-confidence vote in Mayor Jasiel F. Correia, but failed to pass a measure that would have forced him to step aside while the federal criminal case against him is pending. … In a separate measure, the council voted 6-3 to ask Correia, 26, to resign.”
Residents launch boycott campaign against Mansfield store over old Jim Crow-era tobacco poster
The owner of Mansfield’s Old Country Store is refusing to take down an early 1900s Bull Durham tobacco-ad poster that some say is racist – and now the 150-year-old store is facing a boycott campaign. Donna Whitehead at Wicked Local has the details. You can get a better view of the poster – and a little more history on such ads – here. The poster in question is the second one down, below another Bull Durham ad that also traces its roots to the Jim Crow era. It’s pretty safe to say the ads are not only racist by 2018 standards – but were racist by 1900 nonchalant-racist standards.
Newton voters reject ban on pot shops
This is the opposite of what we’re seeing in most other towns. From the Globe: “Pro-marijuana campaigners in Newton declared victory late Tuesday night after a modest majority of voters in the city appeared to reject a pair of measures that would have banned or tightly limited the number of marijuana retail shops. “We’re incredibly happy and thankful to the voters of Newton,” said Tom Ahern, a campaign strategist for a dispensary-funded group that opposed the initiatives. “They’re paving the way for a new industry and new opportunities for the city, including $2 million in new tax revenue. It’s a great day.”
Has merger mania hit the marijuana industry in Massachusetts?
The BBJ’s Jessica Bartlett reports that a national firm is purchasing Boston-based Compassionate Organics, which is trying to open a medical marijuana dispensary on Newbury Street. It’s just the latest merger and/or acquisition involving pot companies doing business in Massachusetts, reports Bartlett.
Wanted: A new name for the new Worcester baseball team
What? The ‘WooSox’ name is not a foregone conclusion? The Pawtucket Red Sox are putting out a call for fans to suggest new names for the team when it moves to Worcester in 2021, though some observers doubt the team will stray too far from a brand valued at nearly $3 billion, the Worcester Business Journal reports.
So how much did they end up spending?
Michelle Williams at MassLive takes a look at how much money some of the candidates raised and spent in Massachusetts in the just-ended elections – and at the very top is U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who raised $34 million and spent $22 million, much of it tied to her presidential aspirations. Williams has more.
GE unloads yet another unit
On Monday, General Electric announced the sale of its gasification business. Then yesterday it announced it was selling its Boston smart-lighting subsidiary, Current, on the same day it was closing on a previously announced sale of its distributed power business. As they say, three examples make a trend. The BBJ’s Don Seiffert and Kelly O’Brien have the details.
SJC to review whether Aaron Hernandez’s murder conviction should have been wiped from the books
Laurel Sweet of the Herald sets the table ahead of Thursday’s hearing before the Supreme Judicial Court on whether the state should end its practice of wiping away the convictions of inmates who die while awaiting appeal.
Starr Forum: The Rise of Populism
Experts discuss the growing political trend in US, Turkey, and India.
MIT Center for International Studies (CIS)
Workplace Innovation Summit
Design your workplace strategy. Join us for our 4th annual Workplace Innovation Summit, our special event focused on a holistic view of the workplace that transcends disciplines.
The Midterm Elections: What Might They Mean?
Panelists including Mara Liasson, NPR national political correspondent, Mark Preston, CNN executive director of political programming and senior political analyst, and Kate Zernike, political reporter for The New York Times, interpret the results of the 2018 midterm elections. Nancy Cordes, chief congressional correspondent for CBS News, moderates.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Listening Across the Political Divide
There’s a lot of stress these days among family members and friends who are divided politically, and the current polarized public conversation doesn’t help. Please join us to learn skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship.
CONNECT Community Series at Park Avenue Congregational Church
A Nation of Immigrants Dinner & Reception
Join the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation for A Nation of Immigrants – Celebrating the Immigrant Experience in American Culture as we celebrate immigrants and their contributions to America’s culture and success.
Journalism And The First Amendment
Join the panel of experts and the New England First Amendment Coalition to discuss freedom of speech and freedom of the press in this era of “fake news”. They will help us to make sense of what is going on in our current political climate. Come get informed and bring your questions.
What’s Next? A Conversation with MA’s Up-and-Coming Political Leaders
Join the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, State Representative Joan Meschino, Author of POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook Stephanie Murray, and three up-and-coming political leaders to reflect on the fall 2018 midterm elections and discuss the future of Massachusetts politics.
Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus
Power 50
Join the Boston Business Journal to celebrate 2018’s Power50. These are the men and women who’ve made the biggest impact on Greater Boston’s business community and/or the region’s overall economy this past year.
Post Election Listening Cycle
Join Indivisible Mystic Valley for a special Listening Circle intended for anyone who has been working on the 2018 election!
2018 Distinguished Real Estate Awards Gala
Join NAIOP Massachusetts for the 2018 Distinguished Real Estate Awards Gala as we honor Related Beal for their achievements in real estate, charitable activities and community betterment. David Begelfer will be honored with this year’s Edward H. Linde Public Service Award in recognition of his 27 years of service to NAIOP.
TEDxBeaconStreet
On November 17, TEDxBeaconStreet will return to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for a second year! Some of the most inspiring minds and speakers in the world will come to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for the final day of TEDxBeaconStreet.
2018 Newman Civic Fellows National Conference
The Newman Civic Fellows National Conference is an annual conference exclusively for current Newman Civic Fellows that provides opportunities for networking, collaboration, and shared learning among Fellows. Only members of the 2018 Newman Civic Fellowship cohort may attend the 2018 Newman Civic Fellows National Conference.
Today’s Headlines
Metro
Developers unwrap plans for biotech startup buildings in Allston – Universal Hub
Newton voters reject ballot questions that would have limited marijuana shops – Boston Globe
Massachusetts
Amherst voters elect 13-person Town Council – MassLive
Quincy voters upset over anti-abortion display at polls – Patriot Ledger
Short-term rental bill to greatly impact Edgartown – Martha’s Vineyard Times
Nation
Record number of women elected to serve in next Congress – Politico
The first five things Democrats should do with their new House majority – Washington Post
How to Contact MASSterList
Send tips to Matt Murphy: Editor@MASSterList.com. For advertising inquiries and job board postings, please contact Dylan Rossiter: Publisher@MASSterList.com or (857) 370-1156. Follow @MASSterList on Twitter.