TRUMP ADDING SPARK TO ‘DUD’ MASS. RACES
President firing up Bay State electorate
Fiery Bay State voters will hit the polls sparked by President Trump’s contentious leadership instead of any local pol or issue — thanks to a tepid roster of all-butdecided Massachusetts’ political contests.
“It’s really been more of a dud than a fireworks display,” Republican consultant Rob Gray said of high-stakes challenges to Gov. Charlie Baker and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “This election is about excitement and energy, and we don’t have many of those races at the statewide level.”
National Democrats are pushing for victories across the country to win back a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. They also seek wins in a number of conservative states to declare a referendum against Trump and flex their electoral muscle before his 2020 re-election bid.
“Trump is the overarching focus of this election. It’s all about his policies and choices,” said Democratic consultant Joyce Ferriabough Bolling.
But while congressional contests remain tight across the country, local races for both the U.S. House and Senate are hardly electrifying.
Self-appointed Trump foil Warren is expected to trounce Republican chal-
lenger Geoff Diehl, a state representative who pledged loyalty to the controversial commander in chief. AntiTrump Republican Baker — backed by numerous Democrats — is projected to best Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez by double digits.
“I don’t feel that overwhelming tension and excitement that we’re seeing in other states,” said Ferriabough Bolling.
Even Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin was quick to point out yesterday that his predictions for a high voter showing has nothing to do with state elections.
“The awareness of voters of this being a national election is driving turnout,” said Galvin, who expects 2.4 million votes cast today. “It’s not necessarily the intensity of some of the statewide contests because, candidly, some of them aren’t very intense.”
Democrat Lori Trahan is polling far ahead of Republican Rick Green in the open race for the 3rd Congressional District.
Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, who made national headlines when she bested 30-year incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano last month, won’t face a challenger today. Nearly two-thirds of the state Legislature will coast to re-election.
The anti-Trump sentiment, however, doesn’t bode well for down-ticket Republicans, said Gray.
“This is a blue state. Any voter excitement about national politics means that liberal turnout is boosted,” he said.