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Greetings Maria,
In the past few years, we have been frank with you about moderates' reign in Massachusetts. In 2022, we saw moderate Democrats on Beacon Hill team up with former Governor Charlie Baker’s PAC to deliver Democratic party primary victories. While Governor Healey’s ascension to be the first woman and openly-gay Governor of our Commonwealth is welcome, the moderate playbook does continue to interfere.
Last fall, Massachusetts voters approved the Fair Share Amendments which enshrines a 4% tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million into our state constitution. Despite the clear message from voters, the Healey - Driscoll administration approved record tax cuts, which essentially undoes the Fair Share Amendment. The journey to disaggregate moderate power in our state government continues, the municipal candidates and organizations we endorse are wedging it apart.
Real change takes time and investment in the cities and movements that are centered in community. Maria’s List has supported civic organizations and likeminded candidates across Massachusetts. Our strategy has always been to resource change through movement organizations, and their leaders. We’re reflecting on how to expand our investment and our impact, based on the experiences of our movement partners and our research. Allow us to highlight one case study of our long term investing.
Springfield 2021-2022
Springfield as a great example of the Deep Democracy playbook. In 2020, long term visioning and sustained financial investment in organizations led to the historic election of Adam Gomez to the state senate. Gomez is a long time member of Neighbor to Neighbor, a member-led movement organization that fights for democracy and a just economy. Senator Gomez credits his relationships and their outreach program as critical to his victory.
The following year, three members of Neighbor to Neighbor ran for City Council, Maria’s List endorsed candidates Zaida Govan, Lezlie Braxton Campbell, and Jynai McDonald. We recommended this slate because of their shared vision for long term power building: strengthening civilian oversight of the police in Springfield, building pathways into homeownership for residents of color, or strengthening schools with additional funding. This vision was in alignment with Neighbor to Neighbor’s member-led agenda, and an opportunity to build an electoral power for that vision. Both McDonald and Campbell came close to a victory, and Govan won with 56% of the vote!
In 2022, we highlighted the Pioneer Valley Project (PVP) and their deep organizing in Springfield. PVP was critical boots on the ground for the passage of ballot questions on the Fair Share Amendment and the Work and Family Mobility Act. Founded almost three decades ago, they are committed to shine a light on failing systems that disproportionately hurt low-income and BIPOC community members. They are headquartered in Springfield, and an anchor organization for Hampden County. In 2022, they contacted over 10,000 voters for the Fair Share Amendment and Work and Family Mobility Act.
In Springfield, Fair Share passed with 60% of the vote, 5 percentage points higher than the state's average! A true testament to the on-going power building by movement organizations and their members who run for public office.
Springfield in 2023: Mayoral Election
Springfield’s Mayoral Election is an important test moment for the Deep Democracy playbook. According to our partners on the ground in Springfield, housing is the number one issue facing residents. Living conditions, high rent, and unregulated landlords are at the core of housing struggles in central Massachusetts. The September primary was contentious, ultimately Council-President Justin Hurst was chosen to challenge sixteen-year incumbent Mayor Dominic Sarno. While Councilor Hurst is viewed by some of our movement partners as a more traditional Democrat, he has been critical of the quality of housing and the city’s cozy relationship with developers and represents a step forward. He has also been endorsed by Maria’s List endorsed candidate Zaida Govan.
Opportunities in 2024: The Ballot
The moderate stranglehold of Beacon Hill has spurred a deluge of important ballot questions in 2024. After almost a decade of long-term investment and strategy building, Springfield will be a key battleground for a host of different ballot initiatives. Organizations such as Neighbor to Neighbor Action Fund will have the opportunity to build on their electoral organizing foundation to deliver substantial progressive victories. Stay tuned for more from us on 2024 and the progressive strategy for next year!
Put your $1,000 candidate contribution in now, and vote for these two if you can! Want to help directly with the electoral organizing? N2N has an Action Fund. All these links are active, just click and give!
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