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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
PLAYBOOK EXCLUSIVE — DID DNA TEST CHANGE THINGS FOR WARREN? — Roughly half of voters — 49 percent — say Sen. Elizabeth Warren's decision to release the results of a DNA test indicating she has some Native American ancestry had no impact on their view of her, according to a new national POLITICO/Morning Consult poll.
Warren made her DNA test results public last week, which indicate there is "strong evidence" she had a Native American in her family dating back 6 to 10 generations ago. Controversy over her ancestry has dogged the Massachusetts Democrat since she ran for Senate against former Republican Sen. Scott Brown in 2012.
Forty percent of voters surveyed nationally said the test's release shifted their view in some way — 16 percent said it made their impression of Warren more favorable, while 24 percent said they view her less favorably
Broken down by party, 57 percent of Democrats said Warren's big reveal made "no difference" in their opinion of her. The same was true for 40 percent of Republicans surveyed. Morning Consult polled 1,968 registered voters Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, several days after the DNA test news broke.
"Elizabeth Warren's decision to divulge her ancestry results did little to impact her standing among self-identified liberals," said Tyler Sinclair, Morning Consult's Vice President. "Notably, over a quarter of liberals (26 percent) have a favorable impression of Warren's decision to release her DNA results, compared to just 12 percent who have an unfavorable one."
When it comes to Warren's favorability more broadly, 30 percent of voters surveyed view her favorably, 38 percent said they view her unfavorably, and 32 percent either had no opinion or hadn't heard of her.
Naturally, views on Warren are polarized. Fifty-two percent of Democrats surveyed view Warren favorably, and only 13 percent of Republicans view her favorably. On the flip side, less than a quarter of Democrats view her unfavorably, while a little over half of Republicans have a negative view of her.
Warren shared her DNA test with the Boston Globe last week, and the story quickly dominated national headlines. Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of those polled said they had seen a significant amount of coverage about Warren's DNA test — 33 percent of registers voters said they'd seen, read, or heard "a lot" about its release, and 28 percent said they'd seen "some" information about it. Only 15 percent of voters said they'd seen "not much" about the test, and 23 percent said they heard "nothing at all" about it.
As for Warren's decision to list herself as a racial minority in the Association of American Law Schools Director of Law Teachers, a plurality (45 percent) of those surveyed said they agreed it was "inappropriate" for her to do. Twenty percent of registered voters polled said it was appropriate, and 35 percent said they did not know or have an opinion. Broken down by party, 61 percent of Republicans surveyed said Warren's decision was inappropriate, while 25 percent of Democrats said the same. In contrast, 34 percent of Democrats said the decision was appropriate, and only 9 percent of Republicans agreed.
DEBATE WATCH — Attorney General Maura Healey and her GOP opponent Jay McMahon go head-to-head this afternoon — the latest in a series of tense debates for the state's Democratic incumbents. The pair sparred earlier this month on gun regulations, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, opioids, Question 3 and criminal justice. The scrappy Bourne attorney says he'd be hard on crime and immigration, and criticizes Healey's work on gun reform.
Healey's heading into this debate with endorsements from gun violence prevention groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, and nods from 39 chiefs of police and the Massachusetts Coalition of Police. I'll keep an eye out for issues like law enforcement, sanctuary cities, and the scandal surrounding the State Police.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY - Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito provide an update on the emergency loan fund for businesses directly impacted by the Merrimack Valley gas explosions in Andover. Baker and Rep. Jim McGovern attend the ribbon cutting for the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Veterinary Clinic in Fitchburg. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez speaks at the Weymouth compressor site.
Rep. Seth Moulton participates in Dan Rea's "Talk the Vote" forum with GOP opponent Joseph Schneider. Rep. Rich Neal talks about his work on the opioid crisis at a meeting of the Massachusetts Mayors Association. Rep. Bill Keating and GOP challenger Peter Tedeschi debate in New Bedford. Attorney General Maura Healey and Republican opponent Jay McMahon debate on WBUR.
Actress and transgender advocate Laverne Cox joins Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, the state's first openly transgender congressional candidate Alexandra Chandler, and transgender youth and their families for a press conference to support Yes on 3. Massachusetts Association of Health Plans President and CEO Lora Pellegrini is honored by the Massachusetts Women's Bar Association with the Lelia J. Robinson Award. Republican Senate candidate Geoff Diehl holds a presser in Bourne.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends the Boston Public Health Commission's flu shot clinic. Rep. Joe Kennedy delivers Meals on Wheels in Sharon. Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants delivers the State of the Judiciary. Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone , AT&T and startup Unruly Studios attend a coding showcase for 6th graders.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "POWER STRUGGLE, SECURITY CONCERNS LOOM OVER FINANCIAL SYSTEM OVERHAUL," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "A turf battle has broken out near the top of state government as executive branch agencies and the state's independent fiscal overseer tangle over who gets to design and implement computer systems that touch all state agencies, affect all state employees and can access sensitive information. The rift over control of the project to upgrade the state's payroll and accounting systems broke into public view earlier this month during a contentious meeting with administration officials, constitutional officers and Comptroller Thomas Shack. The belligerency has continued since, largely between Shack and Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan."
- "NEW BUDGET LAW PUSHES STATE SAVINGS ACCOUNT BALANCE PAST $2 BILLION," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bulk of a $541 million budget bill approved by the Legislature last week that would push the state's reserves above $2 billion for the first time in a decade and put millions of dollars into school safety, but the governor on Tuesday also proposed several amendment that will keep the state from fully turning the page on fiscal 2018."
- "Tax credits go to Galvin's political contributors," by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: "Less than a month after a Roxbury-based developer won $550,000 in historic preservation tax credits from a commission overseen by Secretary of State Bill Galvin, the company's executives chipped into the Brighton Democrat's campaign coffers. Several senior managers at Cruz Companies — including President and CEO John B. Cruz III, Executive Vice President Daniel Cruz and office manager Barbara Cruz — gave a total of $3,000 to Galvin's campaign account in late-May as the Beacon Hill veteran was fighting off a heated primary challenge from Democrat Josh Zakim."
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| ON THE STUMP |
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- "REPUBLICAN GROUP URGES GOP VOTERS TO BLANK GOVERNOR'S RACE," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "As he runs for a second term against Democrat Jay Gonzalez, Gov. Charlie Baker is now also facing a different campaign from his right, as a conservative group urges Republicans to blank their ballots in the gubernatorial contest. The Massachusetts Republican Assembly on Thursday announced its 'Blank Baker' campaign, saying the governor has displayed a hesitance 'to support fellow Republicans,' and alluding to his decision not to vote for either candidate in the 2016 presidential election."
- "US Senate race: Geoff Diehl optimistic about Election Day, questions recent polling," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "Although U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, holds a large edge over GOP challenger Geoff Diehl in both fundraising and in recent polls, the Whitman state representative said he remains confident about his chances in November. Diehl, who will face Warren and independent U.S. Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai on the Nov. 6 ballot, questioned the accuracy of surveys placing him far behind the Democratic incumbent with just weeks left before the election."
- "3rd District candidates avoid open attacks in latest debate," by Chris Lisinski, The Lowell Sun: "As a Tuesday night debate between 3rd Congressional District candidates wound down, the tepid tone left a central question lingering: are Lori Trahan and Rick Green hesitant to push back on each other? The third meeting between Trahan, the Democratic nominee, and Green, the Republican -- which was the second such event featuring independent candidate Mike Mullen -- was in many ways more notable for what was left unsaid than for what was said."
- "Rufus Gifford announces road trip to help Democrats around the country," from the Gifford team: "Gifford, a former Democratic candidate in MA-3, posted a video on Facebook and sent an email to supporters saying, 'Everything we talked about on the campaign trail—standing for something, aspirational policies, restoring trust one conversation at a time, diplomacy in politics—I still believe in it so much. I don't yet know exactly what the future holds for me. But one thing is for sure: it will involve fighting for those things, always...In the meantime, and as a first step, we're taking this show on the road. Tomorrow, some of our campaign team, volunteers, and I are setting out on a road trip. We're going to travel to battleground races and help elect Democrats running for Senate, the House, and for Governor. I'm going to do everything I possibly can in these final weeks before the election to make sure Democrats come out on top.'
- "Your Endorsement Guide for Question 1, on Massachusetts' Nurse Staffing Levels," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "Still deciding how to vote on Question 1, the ballot measure that could reshape nurse staffing levels at hospitals in Massachusetts? Consult our handy endorsement guide for the latest on where top political voices stand on the controversial proposal before voters in November."
MASSACHUSETTS JUDGES ARE APPOINTED, REMOVING POLITICS FROM JUDICIAL DECISIONS. IS THIS REALLY
WHAT WE WANT?
- "AG challenger McMahon says office would be 'huge bully pulpit' against judges," by Brian Lee, Telegram & Gazette: " In a visit to the city Tuesday, the Republican candidate for state attorney general suggested he would speak out against 'soft-on-crime' judges and appeal light sentences. Jay McMahon of Bourne, challenger to Democratic incumbent Maura Healey in the Nov. 6 election, engaged in a wide-ranging Facebook Live discussion with Telegram & Gazette editorial page editor Tony Simollardes and Ann Brennan, editor in chief of the Metrowest Daily News and Milford Daily News."
- "Maura Healey Endorses Tram T. Nguyen for State Representative," from the Nguyen campaign: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has endorsed Tram T. Nguyen, Democratic candidate for State Representative for the 18th Essex District, saying she will be a great partner in government for the Attorney General's ongoing work on opioids, gun violence prevention and more."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Among those rejected from Harvard: the judge in the Harvard trial," by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: "Harvard University rejects about 95 percent of its applicants annually. Add one more name to that list: Allison Dale Burroughs. Burroughs is the judge presiding in the trial over whether Harvard discriminates against Asian-American students, and she once applied to Harvard. Likes tens of thousands of other American high school seniors every year, Burroughs received a rejection letter from Harvard."
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| AD WATCH |
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- "Trahan releases new General Election television ad," from the Trahan campaign: "'This Congress is so out of touch.' That is the message of a new television ad by Lori Trahan, Democrat for Congress in the Third District, that will premiere during tonight's World Series television broadcast. This is Trahan's first general election spot and her fourth TV spot of the campaign."
- "Geoff Diehl blasts Elizabeth Warren on presidential ambitions in new ads," by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "The ad wars are heating up in the Senate race — at least on paper. Geoff Diehl, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Warren, launched full-page newspaper ads across the state on Tuesday that trumpet "Full Time," in large, bold type taking up three-fourths of the page."
- "Treasurer Deb Goldberg Releases Television Ad," from the Goldberg campaign: "State Treasurer Deb Goldberg's campaign today released a 30 second ad titled "Investing". The advertisement focuses on Goldberg's accomplishments during her first term expanding the role of the Treasurer's office to increase economic opportunity, economic empowerment and economic stability for everyone across Massachusetts."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "MIT Media Lab is releasing a 'social experiment' on Halloween that will let users control a person's actions," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "Something eerie has been brewing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab and, come Halloween, it will be unleashed on the public. In keeping with what's become an annual tradition of unveiling odd projects around the spooky holiday, researchers at the lab have created a frightening program that will put the fate of an actual human being in the hands of people sitting behind their computer screens."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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- "Removal of portrait from Noble and Greenough exhibit sparks controversy," by Cristela Guerra, Boston Globe: "In an exhibit of 100 portraits at the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham are blank spaces where two small canvases used to be. On Oct. 5, school officials removed one portrait and the text that accompanied it: an image of a young woman with her middle finger up in front of a hotel with a Trump sign, as well as a canvas that featured her words."
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| MOULTON MATTERS |
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- "MA-6 Congressional Race: Rep. Seth Moulton makes his case for re-election," by William Dowd, Danvers Herald: "In an interview with a half-dozen Wicked Local editors on Friday, Congressman Seth Moulton made his case for a third two-year term. The Salem Democrat, Marblehead native, decorated Iraq War veteran and graduate with three Harvard degrees stunned his party's establishment when he unseated John Tierney in the 2014 Democratic primary. He won re-election in 2016 without opposition and now faces challenges from Rockport Independent Mary J. Charbonneau and Beverly Republican Joseph Schneider in the November election."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "PINCH PUNCH," — Globe: "ONE DOWN, THREE TO GO," "Trump now sees 'coverup' by Saudis." |
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "'It's an icon of our skyline.' Fire destroys Wakefield church," by Danny McDonald and Adam Sennott, Boston Globe: "A multi-alarm fire tore through the First Baptist Church here Tuesday night, sending flaming chunks of the white church building falling to the ground, and forcing firefighters to attack from multiple angles. The main roof of the nearly 150-year-old church collapsed and long windows were blown out of the building located at 8 Lafayette St., near the town center. Flames licked part of the building's frame. The structure appeared to be a total loss."
- "Forget Oakland Or Hoboken. Worcester, Mass., Is The New 'It' Town," by Aaron Schachter, NPR: "Over the past couple of decades, booming cities have forced people to move to smaller cities nearby. Think San Francisco and Oakland, Calif., or New York and Hoboken, N.J. That kind of boom is happening now in Boston. An hour away, New England's second-largest city, Worcester, is booming."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Rep. Seth Moulton, who is 4-0; former Marshfield Rep. James Cantwell; Ernie Corrigan, president of Corrigan Communications; and Leigh Appleby, comms director for the Connecticut Democratic Party and former spokesman for gubernatorial candidate Don Berwick.
TRANSITIONS - Gov. Charlie Baker appointed Josefina Martinez to the State Ethics Commission and named existing member Maria Krokidas chair of the commission.
- Jeff Terrey, senior vice president of public affairs at Rasky Partners, was named a partner of the firm.
- Alexandra Wich was promoted to vice president of the Rasky Partners office in Washington.
- Kristyn Anderson was named associate vice president at Rasky Partners and continues to serve as chief of staff to the CEO.
- Amy Maloney joins Morgan Lewis in Boston, where she represents participants in project finance and infrastructure transactions.
- Jillian Youngblood was appointed vice president to oversee national communications strategies at Solomon McCown, where she will expand the agency's New York City presence.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and yes! The Red Sox beat the Dodgers 8-4 in Game 1 of the World Series. The Bruins beat the Senators 4-1.
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