POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER ad blitz — TARIFF squeeze — L’ITALIEN’S bait and switch

BAKER ad blitz — TARIFF squeeze — L’ITALIEN’S bait and switch

07/24/2018 07:20 AM EDT

By Stephanie Murray (smurray@politico.com; @StephMurr_Jour) and Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. It's Tuesday, make it a good one.

PROGRAMMING NOTE — Lauren Dezenski will return on July 31.

BAKER AD BLITZ: If you thought the $4.3 million that Gov. Charlie Baker reserved in TV ad buys for the coming months was a lot, think again. His financial hold on the airwaves is about to almost double, thanks to a political action committee buying ad space on his behalf.

Commonwealth Future, a pro-Baker group mostly funded by Republican Governors Association money in 2014, has reserved over $3 million worth of advertising on broadcast television from Aug. 1 to Aug. 14 and from Sept. 5 to Oct. 2, and $1.15 million on cable from Aug. 1 to Oct. 2, according to Advertising Analytics.

A big ad buy that far out from November is a somewhat uncommon strategy that's worked for Baker before. Commonwealth Future splurged on a successful early TV blitz for Baker in 2014, borrowing a move from former President Barack Obama's campaign.

When all was said and done in 2014, RGA invested $10.4 million in Commonwealth Future, which ran 10 television ads bolstering Baker and blasting then-candidate Martha Coakley in 2014.

TRUMP TARIFFS COULD HURT MASS. INDUSTRIES: Two of the state's trade groups are crying foul against the Trump administration's latest round of tariffs on Chinese goods. The Massachusetts High Technology Council and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts penned letters to Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Monday, asking the administration to reconsider the new levies.

In letters viewed by POLITICO, the groups say the added taxes on Chinese goods could hurt a wide range of industries, including semiconductors, machinery and even cranberries and lobster. "In many cases the burden of these tariffs will land on U.S., not Chinese, companies and will be imposed on products from U.S. and Massachusetts-based companies moving through China as part of a global value chain," said Mark Gallagher, vice president of policy governmental affairs for the Mass. High Technology Council.

Gov. Charlie Baker has long been a champion of high-tech jobs, including those in the semiconductor industry. Though he hasn't addressed the administration about the latest tariffs, Baker has had several conversations with employers who are concerned about the tariffs.

In other states, governors have been more vocal. Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott in June warned Trump in a letter that tariffs on steel and aluminum would hurt Texas industry. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, wrote the president a similar letter several days ago. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has spoken out about how tariffs could hurt farmers in her state.

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

** A message from NARAL Pro-Choice MA and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund: When Roe v. Wadefalls, what will happen in Massachusetts? Lawmakers just took a critical step to protect abortion access by getting outdated statutes criminalizing abortion off the books - but there's so much more work to be done. Learn more now. **

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh celebrate a new workforce housing development in Beverly. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announces the grand opening of the 2018 Dredging Pilot Program in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Baker joins Lynn Mayor Tom McGee alongside House Speaker Robert DeLeo, several House members and the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts for a ceremonial bill signing in Lynn.

Attorney General Maura Healey announces an investigation into an e-cigarette manufacturer. Outgoing Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans is a guest on WGBH's Boston Public Radio at noon. GOP attorney general hopeful Dan Shores hosts a fundraiser featuring musical artist Ayla Brown.

THE TSONGAS ARENA —

- "In 3rd District race, western towns feel attention from few candidates," by Chris Lisinski, Lowell Sun: "Although candidates stress they focus on all communities equally, the uneven concentration of offices to the district's east -- particularly in Lowell -- underscores what may become an important dynamic in the race's final weeks: In a crowded race across a diverse district, votes can be found all over."

- "Massachusetts Democrat dupes Fox and Friends," by Stephanie Murray, POLITICO: "A Massachusetts congressional candidate pulled a bait-and-switch on a Fox News talk show Monday morning, using the president's preferred morning show as a platform to blast his administration's policy of immigrant family separations. The network thought it had booked Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick, a former Arizona congresswoman running for another stint in Congress, for its Fox and Friends First morning show ... But the bookers had instead lined up state Sen. Barbara L'Italien, a Democrat running in a crowded open congressional race in Massachusetts."

- "Two current, one former Littleton Selectmen endorse Green" from the Green campaign: "Current Littleton Selectmen Joseph Knox and Chuck DeCoste, and former Littleton Selectman Paul Avella join the growing list of MA3 municipal and community leaders supporting Rick Green. Knox, DeCoste, and Avella said that Green is an entrepreneurial leader who understands how to bring jobs to the Third District. They emphasized that Green will improve the district's business environment, encouraging continued economic growth."

- Actress and activist Eva Longoria endorses Rep. Juana Matias in MA-3 race: ".@Juana_B_Matias is proof that this is the #YearOfTheLatina. She was one of the 1st Latinas elected to the Massachusetts Statehouse and is committed to investing in education, immigration reform & advocating for girls and women. I'm proud to support Juana for Congress in #MA3!" Longoria said on Twitter. Longoria is the co-founder of the Latino Victory Project.

ON THE STUMP —

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "32BJ SEIU Endorses Ayanna Pressley for U.S. Congress" from 32BJ and the Pressley campaign: "On Tuesday morning, 32BJ SEIU members will announce the union's endorsement of Ayanna Pressley for U.S. Congress in the Seventh Congressional District, standing with the candidate at an open meeting with members at 32BJ SEIU offices. With 163,000 members across the East Coast, 32BJ SEIU is the nation's largest property service workers union, representing some 18,000 janitors, security officers, food service workers and other property service workers in Massachusetts alone, including some 5,000 living in the Seventh Congressional District." "'I am honored to have earned the support of 32BJ SEIU,' said Pressley. 

'Their members form the backbone of our local economy and, as workers across the 7th District have watched their rights to organize be eroded, and their families and communities are targeted by the Administration in Washington, 32BJ has been at the forefront of the effort to protect working families and make progress on issues of critical importance, including healthcare, housing, education, and immigration.'"

- "Poll: Massachusetts Dem leads primary challenger by single digits," by Zach Phillips, The Hill: "A new poll shows the Democratic challenger to Rep. Mike Capuano (D-Mass.) within single digits ahead of the primary. According to an Emerson College poll released Monday, Capuano has a 9 point lead over his Democratic challenger, Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley. Capuano has 38 percent support to Pressley's 29, but a sizable 33 percent of voters say they are still undecided."

- "Republican US Senate candidate John Kingston takes aim at Elizabeth Warren in 1st TV campaign ad," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Kingston slammed Elizabeth Warren's stance on immigration policies -- particularly on so-called 'sanctuary cities' -- as his campaign launched its first television ad Monday. The Winchester businessman, who is among a handful of GOP hopefuls looking to unseat the incumbent Democrat, released the 30-second TV spot as part of a $2 million, pre-primary blitz, his campaign announced."

- "Meet the Boston City Councilor With Visions of Becoming the Next Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez," by Gideon Resnick, The Daily Beast: "Pressley's case is further complicated by the fact that there aren't as many sharp contrasts with [Massachusetts Rep. Michael] Capuano as Ocasio-Cortez enjoyed with [New York Rep. Joe] Crowley. What Pressley has going for her is a broader political climate that seems favorable to candidacies like her's."

- "Pro-Choice Organization Endorses Chelsea Kline for Senate" from the Kline campaign: "The NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts PAC - the electoral wing of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, the state's leading grassroots pro-choice advocacy organization - has endorsed Chelsea Kline's campaign for State Senate. 'In an era where the right to choose could be undone at any moment, and when many Massachusetts residents are still struggling to access comprehensive reproductive health care services, we need bold leaders like Chelsea Kline to take a stand for vulnerable people,' said NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts' Legislative and Political Director Gena Frank."

- "Jon Santiago Wins Ward 4 Endorsement in Upset" from the Santiago campaign: "Jon Santiago, an emergency room doctor at Boston Medical Center and first-time candidate for State Representative, won the endorsement of the Boston Ward 4 Democratic Committee on July 17th, 2018. Dr. Santiago is seeking to become the next state representative of the 9th Suffolk District which includes the South End, Roxbury, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods. The district has been represented by incumbent Byron Rushing for over 35 years."

- "Assault charge for Elizabeth Warren supporter in rally incident," by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle: "Paul Solovay, 74, of Hillsdale, N.Y., is facing charges for allegedly assaulting one of Warren's opponents in the 2018 Senate race, and giving him a bloody lip. A video of the incident shows Solovay push a bullhorn into Shiva Ayyadurai's mouth while he was using it across the street from the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, where a crowd of Warren supporters were lined up before the 2:30 p.m. [town hall in Great Barrington.]

DATELINE BEACON HILL —

- "State Senate turned over Bryon Hefner records to federal grand jury," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts Senate turned over a trove of records, including e-mails, to a federal grand jury earlier this year amid a US attorney's investigation into Bryon Hefner and his relationship with his husband, Senator Stanley C. Rosenberg, according to court documents."

- "Baker, who once pledged no new fees, backs one for police training," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker, who campaigned on being a fiscal check to the Democratic super majority on Beacon Hill, said Monday he will sign the 'Legislature's version' of a bill that creates a new fee to help fund police training. With Baker's signature, the proposal will institute a $2 fee on car rental transactions across the state, putting up to $10 million annually toward training for local police."

- "Baker challenges Trump proposal that targets abortion," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker is speaking out against a proposed federal rule that would force family planning groups like Planned Parenthood to either stop offering abortions and referring women to abortion providers — or lose a key stream of federal money. The Republican said the proposed rule 'would enact unnecessary barriers to a woman's right to choose,' in his letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II and White House budget director Mick Mulvaney."

- "Senate president: I won't ID those who aided ethics probe," by The Associated Press: "Massachusetts Senate President Harriette Chandler is pledging not to reveal the identities of individuals who gave information during the Senate's investigation into former Democratic Senate President Stan Rosenberg and his estranged husband Bryon Hefner."

THE WARREN REPORT —

- "Elizabeth Warren's 30 Town Halls, 7,000 Selfies Across Mass.," by Charlene Arsenault, Patch Staff: "Over the weekend, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren hosted her 30th town hall in a tour that has taken her message across the state. Warren's office released a report of the town hall tour. Here is a glimpse, by the numbers, of that tour ..."

- "Is Elizabeth Warren running for President? 10 Takeaways from her New York Magazine profile," by Jacqueline Tempera, MassLive.com: "Is Elizabeth Warren running for president? According to a 7,000 word New York Magazine story...maybe. Author and writer for the magazine Rebecca Traister spent the first part of summer following Warren who is campaigning for re-election to the United States Senate. She spent time with Warren's Golden retriever puppy, and spoke to her about feminism, President Donald Trump, and many other topics. Here are 10 takeaways."

THE LOCAL ANGLE —

- "In Roxbury, optimism about first black police commissioner," by Jerome Campbell, Boston Globe: "On Friday afternoons, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans and William Gross, the department's second-in-command, would often visit Dudley Station in Roxbury and chat with commuters. Will Smith, 65, would watch them as they made their way through the crowd, and was struck by how genuine Gross seemed, how humbly he carried himself. On Monday, as Gross was named the city's first black police commissioner, Smith was thrilled."

- "MGM Springfield launches advertising campaign featuring city skyline, Memorial Bridge (video)," by Peter Goonan, MassLive.com: "MGM Springfield has announced the launch of "This is a First," a multimedia advertising campaign designed to offer a glimpse of the coming experiences and attractions at its $960 million resort casino. The campaign kicks off as the casino is set to open Aug. 24, in the downtown-South End area."

- "Bike-sharing company ofo puts the brakes on its Massachusetts fleet," by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: "A dockless bike-sharing company known for its bright yellow design is deflating its fleet in Massachusetts. Bringing to an abrupt end its bike-sharing service, which proved popular but also susceptible to vandals, ofo is pulling its bikes out of Lynn, Quincy, and Worcester, the only three Massachusetts cities where the company operated this year."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Stacey Monahan, managing director of Octagon Strategy Group and former Transitional Assistance Commissioner.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! — The Red Sox beat the Orioles 5-3.

ICYMI - THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE HORSE RACE: We're back post-Fourth of July with a check in on what's still pending on Beacon Hill. MassLive's Gin Dumcius walks us through why Massachusetts still does not have a state budget; then in a return to the pod, Principal of Waterville Consulting Sean Curran explains quarter two fundraising reports and Gov. Charlie Baker's massive ad buy. Plus Steve and Lauren look at the recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling which maintains the 20 day voter registration cut-off. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

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** A message from NARAL Pro-Choice MA and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund: As recently as 2007, a woman in Massachusetts was indicted for managing her own medication abortion. How could this happen? The answer lies in an outdated statute still in the Massachusetts General Laws - the pre-Roe v. Wade abortion ban. Fortunately, our state just took a critical step to protect abortion access by getting outdated statutes criminalizing abortion off the books - but there's so much more work to be done.

Help keep abortion legal and accessible in Massachusetts, no matter what happens at the federal level. Join us now. **

To view online:
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2018/07/24/baker-ad-blitz-tariff-squeeze-litaliens-bait-and-switch-290200

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