Crowded Massachusetts ballot will test Democratic establishment, affordability agenda
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
There's a crowded political landscape in front of voters this year, with battles across the state that could reshape the Democratic party establishment.
Why it matters: Voters will be asked to decide on generational change for a U.S. Senate seat and what's the best case to make against the sitting governor, as well as the future of income taxes, housing policy and more.
- Competitive Democratic primaries and an unprecedented number of statewide ballot measures are set to fill up a busy election calendar.
The big picture: The marquee contest pits Rep. Seth Moulton against incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in a primary framed as a generational choice.
- Meanwhile, Moulton's vacated House seat has drawn a packed field of North Shore candidates.
State of play: That MA-06 congressional race features at least seven Democratic candidates, including Dan Koh, a former member of the Andover Select Board and chief of staff to former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.
- Topsfield Town Moderator Jamie Zahlaway Belsito and several other local officials have filed papers.
- Like in every other race this year, housing costs and handling a changing federal government will be at the heart of the debate.
Beacon Hill has at least one interesting race.
- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's senior aide Daniel Lander is trying to unseat veteran state Sen. William Brownsberger, arguing the Legislature hasn't moved urgently enough on affordability.
- It's something of a proxy clash between Wu and Senate President Karen Spilka, who's thrown cold water on much of Wu's housing agenda.
There's an outside chance voters could be shopping for a new top elections official if 75-year-old Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin declines to run for another term.
- It's a powerful office that touches elections, civics and business regulation — and has had some top Democrats and government reform activists salivating for years at the thought of an open seat.
Yes, but: Galvin hasn't lost a step and certainly seems like he wants to stay in the job to handle the 2028 presidential election and beyond.
Between the lines: Candidates across races are making cost-of-living concerns big issues this year.
Expect affordability to be the core of the campaign against Gov. Maura Healey, whoever wins the GOP nomination to take her on.
- Trump-aligned businessman Mike Minogue entered the race in October after two former lieutenants under former Gov. Charlie Baker had already stepped in.
- Former MBTA general manager Brian Shortsleeve and former Baker housing and economic development chief Mike Kennealy are vying for the more moderate, solutions-minded voters who helped Baker win two terms.
- The primary will determine whether Republicans nominate a Baker-style competency pitch or a more combative, Trump-ier challenger to take on Healey.
By the numbers: Of the nearly one dozen policy questions headed for the ballot, two will test voters' appetite for major changes:
- A rent control initiative for the whole state that would cap annual increases at inflation or 5%, whichever is lower.
- An income tax cut proposal that would reduce the state rate from 5% to 4% and force lawmakers to drastically cut back on spending.
What's next: Nomination papers are due in the spring, with primaries set for Sept. 1 and the general election Nov. 3.