POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook IT’S ELECTION DAY (for some of you) — The MOOCH’s Tufts time — RNC eyes 2018, 2020 in Mass.

11/07/2017 07:11 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Clear and chilly today - perfect weather to GOTV.

TODAY'S ELECTIONS TO WATCH - There are no statewide races, turnout is expected to be low, and Boston's mayoral race is guaranteed to be sleepy, but that doesn't mean every race in the commonwealth is going to be a snoozefest. Here's a handful of contests that I know will pop your #mapoli popcorn.

- Boston's District 1 city council: Boston's three open district city council races are worth your attention tonight, but especially the one situated in the North End, Charlestown, and East Boston district. Stephen Passacantilli and Lydia Edwards' highly competitive race squares Boston's old guard against the new face of the city - and is one of the 15 elections you should be watching across the country.

- Framingham mayoral: The former largest town in Massachusetts and the state's newest city elects its first mayor in what's likely to be one of the highest turnout elections Tuesday. More than 27 percent of voters turned out in the first-ever mayoral primary - and Yvonne Spicer captured 54 percent of the vote, leading second place primary finisher state Rep. John Stefanini and five others by 25 points. Can Spicer hold on to her commanding lead in the general?

- Third Essex special: This Merrimack Valley-centered race to replace long-time state Rep. Brian Dempsey is one of the few competitive openings for the MassGOP this fall and as such, they've plowed their resources behind Shaun Toohey. Democrats, meanwhile, have rallied around 24-year-old Haverhill City Councilor Andy Vargas, with A-list support coming from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Attorney General Maura Healey to Boston City Council President Michelle Wu.

- Lawrence mayoral: It's a rematch between incumbent Mayor Dan Rivera and former mayor and former state Rep. William Lantigua in the heavily immigrant former mill town. In 2013, Rivera edged Lantigua by just 81 votes, and Rivera topped Lantigua by 1,120 votes in September's primary. Look for high turnout here, too. Of the city's 40,000-some registered voters, more than 1,000 have already cast absentee ballots for today's contest, according to the Eagle-Tribune.

- Salem charter change: It's not just the mayoral election drawing voters out on the North Shore. Salem voters will either say yes or no to a change in the city's charter to call Salem a "sanctuary for peace" - seen by many as a "sanctuary city" designation. But the mayoral election is still a draw. Mayor Kim Driscoll, whose name has been in the mix for statewide office, is also seeing her first serious challenge in a dozen years from former City Councilor Paul Prevey.

- BONUS: The Lowell High School: There's a lot to love about the fight over the Lowell High School. On the mill city's ballot is a nonbinding vote on whether or not to renovate or rebuild the existing downtown Lowell high school. And this fall, all of the city's top vote-getters in the preliminary were downtown high school supporters, according to the Lowell Sun. And among the big players involved here: major supporter the downtown proposal, Lowell lawyer Michael Gallagher, who has so far held off on running for the open MA-3 congressional seat to battle over the high school after expressing interest in the Tsongas seat this summer.

AND TONIGHT - Tune in! I'll be on air on WBUR 91.1 FM tonight parsing election results as polls close across the state.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, renewable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. More **

TODAY - It's Election Day in 73 municipalities around the state - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez plans to visit Framingham, Haverhill, Salem, Lynn and Boston tomorrow to bring coffee and snacks to campaign volunteers, according to his campaign, as well as knock on doors for Andy Vargas in Haverhill - 2018 US Senate candidate and GOP state Rep. Geoff Diehl will offer "an update on his campaign," according to his campaign, in a press conference at the State House steps.

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

- "Plan for sealing criminal records divides employers, advocates," by Kaitlyn Milliken, Lowell Sun: "When Fitchburg resident David Gonzalez left the prison system in 2000, he felt fortunate to find a job. He initially worked at a factory, transferring a year later to the Sisters of Mercy Convent. However, after working there for less than a year, the organization conducted a background check and fired him for his criminal record."

- "Senate Moves to Protect Campus Sexual Harassment Victims Amid National Conversation," by Sam Cote, South Coast Today: "Legislation to require public or private higher education institutions adopt a policy on dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking has moved on to the Massachusetts House after unanimous Senate action last week. The Senate plan addresses sexual violence on college campuses and requires colleges and universities to explain how they will prevent these incidents in the first place. It also requires them to make that information available, especially procedures and resource contact information, to applicants, students and employees of the institution."

- "Entergy opposes Pilgrim decommissioning fee," by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: "Without sufficient funds for safely decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, the state could be left holding the bag once the plant ceases operations, environmental activists warned lawmakers Monday, asking them to impose a $25 million annual fee on the station if it misses deadlines."

- "State to hire full-time cannabis connoisseur," by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources posted a listing on the state's career site Friday for an agricultural inspector who will specialize in a new crop in Massachusetts: cannabis. 'This Inspector position will enforce the laws and regulations involving hemp and overlapping laws and regulations that impact the cultivation of marijuana,' the listing says."

- "Gov. Charlie Baker Re-Establishes Hate Crimes Task Force," by Associated Press: "Gov. Charlie Baker has re-established a task force charged with advising him on the best ways to deter and prevent hate crimes in Massachusetts and support victims. The Republican governor said Monday that his administration 'is committed to making Massachusetts a safe and welcoming place with zero-tolerance for hate or violence.'"

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

- "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey approves Amherst Sanctuary Bylaw," by Diane Lederman, Masslive.com: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has approved the town of Amherst's Sanctuary Community Bylaw approved by Town Meeting in May. The bylaw limits police investigatory authority based on immigration status, prohibits police detentions based on civil immigration detainer requests or ICE administrative warrants and requires reports of the number of civil immigration detainer requests lodged with the town and the town's response to the requests."

- "Congressman Richard Neal On The GOP Tax Plan," by Sharon Brody, WBUR: "The House Republican plan to overhaul the tax code will be the focus of intense debate over the next few weeks. Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield), the ranking member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, joined Weekend Edition to discuss the new plan."

ON CAMPUS - "'The Mooch' is on a Tufts board, and some people aren't happy about that," by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: "President Trump dropped Anthony Scaramucci, his fast-talking, often profane communications director after less than two weeks on the job. Now, some students, professors, and alumni at Tufts University are seeking to have Scaramucci removed from the advisory board for the institution's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, a position he has held since June 2016."

- "The Secret Harvard Fellowship of Sean Spicer," by Daniel C. Drabik, Harvard Crimson: "Off the record, off the record, off the record. Sean Spicer was publicly offered a Visiting Fellowship here at the Harvard Kennedy School-and then allowed to speak entirely off the record. During his time on campus, Spicer had closed-door forums with select faculty and fellows, spoke in a few chosen classes, and attended invite-only meals with selected groups of students."

WARREN REPORT -

- "GOP planning run to make Elizabeth Warren, Bay State see red," by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: "Republican National Committee officials will soon name a Massachusetts state director and staffers to coordinate the 2018 congressional campaigns and remain through the 2020 presidential cycle - an unheard of commitment in a state often overlooked by GOP bigwigs."

- "Elizabeth Warren climbs aboard the North South Rail Link Endorsement Express," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "All aboard for the North South Rail Link Endorsement Express. Backers of the long-discussed tunnel project say they've landed a high-profile endorser: Senator Elizabeth Warren. Mike Dukakis was forced to shelve the North Station-South Station connection in the Big Dig's formative days. But the former governor has never given up hope."

ON THE STUMP -

- "Income surtax scheduled for Feb. 5 hearing before SJC," by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: "Lawyers are scheduled to face off Monday, Feb. 5 before the state's highest court to determine whether a roughly $2 billion tax proposal can appear on the November 2018 ballot."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "GOP launches operation: Stop Liz!" "Elton feels the love," - Globe: "A Texas tragedy compounded," "Considered armed and dangerous," "Trump pushes NRA agenda, but gun lobby's advances show," "With Cora at their helm, Red Sox take dramatic step away from a painful past," "House leaders weaken crime law overhaul."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "Do Dems iHeart blue collars or green dollars?" by Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald: "A political storm could be brewing over iHeartMedia's proposed purchase of radio news powerhouse WBZ-AM, with U.S. Sen. Edward Markey and other local pols in the middle of a fight between iHeart and an employee union."

- "Paramilitary Policing Infiltrates Western Mass," by Seth Kirshner, Valley Advocate: "But when neighboring Springfield experienced a spike in robberies in the early 2000s, Ludlow Police decided this mill town of 21,000 needed another layer of protection. So, it established a Special Response Team, or SRT. Although it doesn't have an armored vehicle like many SWAT teams, Ludlow SRT has most of the other gear associated with tactical operations. In 2015, a $50,000 grant from the Department of Justice was used to outfit the team with ballistic shields, helmets, and body armor."

- "Falmouth town meeting members say 'no' to recreational pot," by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: "Fall town meeting members made certain that recreational marijuana establishments can't set up shop in town by approving two separate articles reaffirming a ballot vote in May barring all such operations - from cultivation to processing and retail sales."

- "From heroin addict to helping people get clean," by Jake Johnson, Boston Globe: "Steve Lesnikoski was living out of his car and couch-surfing in California in 2015 when he stumbled upon a post on an online forum for opioid addicts. A woman had posted about the Gloucester Police Department's Angel Program, which encourages addicts to turn their drugs in to police without fear of arrest. A volunteer 'angel' then helps place them in treatment."

- "Retiring after 32 years, Tony Costanzo serves up tasty memories of Santarpio's and Eastie," by Natasha Mascarenhas, Boston Globe: "During his 32 years waiting tables at Santarpio's, Tony Costanzo watched almost everything around the East Boston institution change. His customers grew up and got married. Expensive condos sprouted up around Eastie. Last year, the duplex next door almost burned down, and threatened to take the old pizza place with it."

SPOTTED - Definers Senior Vice President Colin Reed on Sunday, running the NYC Marathon - pic http://bit.ly/2AlKFBr

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Joe Tutino, digital strategist at New Blue Interactive.

HAPPY BELATED - to Bedford Rep. Kenneth Gordon and Rep. John Mahoney of Worcester.

DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? Yes! - The Celtics beat the Hawks 110 to 107. The Bruins also topped the Wild 5-3.

ICYMI - THE LATEST HORSE RACE EPISODE - We've got a trio of campaign ads, some outside spending (we see you, Mercer Money) and a persistent Elizabeth Warren this week. Plus, as we race towards election day we've got our eye on two in particular. Listen to the end to find out which ones! ... Our special guest is the delightful Kathryn Burton, advisor of all things campaign-y. Subscribe and listen now on iTunes andSound Cloud.

- And save the date for a live Horse Race event at Ned Devine's in Boston on Nov. 28. No actual horses, just a lot of jockeying for #mapoli insights. Plus, there will be swag! More details coming soon.

** A message from New England Clean Power Link : Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, sustainable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. The entire line will travel underground and underwater, and is expected to deliver low-cost electricity to the Commonwealth over the next 40 years. Massachusetts can expect to reap $19.9 billion in benefits over the next 20 years alone, while ratepayers can expect to save $655 million a year in energy costs. Most importantly, the project is 100% privately financed and comes with a fixed-price bid, protecting taxpayers and ratepayers alike from any cost overruns. The project's developers have also established a $20 million fund to assist low-income ratepayers in western Massachusetts. More **

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