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Boston's Morning Newsletter
How Mass. lawmakers responded to Trump’s 2024 announcement
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
Massachusetts officially got our first snowfall of the season last night — and some places even got up to an inch. Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, because it’s all getting washed away by this morning’s rain.
To the news:
Someone must not have watched Gov. Charlie Baker’s big CNN interview. Former President Donald Trump announced last night that he’s officially running for president again in 2024 after trying to overthrow the results of the 2020 election. In a speech at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump set the stage for a rematch against President Biden and made a move to potentially get out in front of the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, who could be a GOP primary foe.
The national view: NPR reports that the reaction from Republican lawmakers has been mixed, with some Trump allies dancing around the question of whether they’ll support him again.
The local view: In Massachusetts, where Trump is deeply unpopular, the state’s Democratic delegation is — as expected — pledging to work to make sure he is again defeated.
- Rep. Ayanna Pressley: “To the former occupant, the people know who you are and we’re never going back.”
- Rep. Lori Trahan: “He divided our nation to serve his political ambitions. He tried to overthrow our democracy when he lost an election. Now, he wants to do it all over again.”
- Rep. Jim McGovern: “He has more baggage than a 747. Bring it.”
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren: “We’ve defeated him before. We’ll defeat him again.”
- Sen. Ed Markey: “We will win. He will lose.”
- Not mad about it: MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons, who was applauding Trump’s announcement in person at Mar-a-Lago.
Too close to call: More than a week after election day, votes are still being counted in two races for Massachusetts House seats — and they’ll likely head to recounts, State House News Service reports. In both cases, Democrats are hoping to flip Republican-held seats, further solidifying their already massive supermajority.
- Where things stand: On the North Shore, GOP Georgetown Rep. Leonard Mirra’s lead over Democratic challenger Kristin Kassner has shrunk to as low as single-digits, the News Service reports. And in the open race for a district including Pepperell, Dunstable and Groton, Republican Andrew Shepherd is up over Democrat Margaret Scarsdale by just 11 votes.
- Another reminder that every vote counts: After a recount, a New Hampshire House race was decided by a single vote.
An update on the Soldiers Home COVID-19 outbreak settlement: On Tuesday, a judge officially approved a nearly $58 million payout to veterans and families affected by the COVID outbreak, which was one of the deadliest at a U.S. long-term care facility, killing 84 residents.
- It’s a $2 million increase over the initial $56 million agreement, after three more plaintiffs were added to the 164-person class-action case against the state.
- What they’ll get: The families of veterans who died each will get at least $400,000, while veterans who contracted the disease at the home and survived will receive a minimum of $10,000.
Good news for students and teachers across Massachusetts: They’ll each get four free at-home COVID-19 tests from state education officials before the Thanksgiving break. The goal is to get ahead of an expected rise in cases as more people travel for the holiday.
Congrats to the lucky fans who made it past Ticketmaster’s overwhelmed queue and crashes to score Taylor Swift tickets during yesterday’s presale. Our newsletter leader Meagan McGinnes is very jealous of you all and says she’s accepting invites to the show if anyone wants a new best friend.
P.S.— WBUR’s good news newsletter, The Pick Me Up, is coming back just in time for the holiday season next week. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through January 4, we’ll share something that’s bringing us joy: a story of charity, a video that highlights the spirit of the holidays or a tweet of a dog in a winter hat. We’ll even have gift guides and recipes! Sign up here. Also, to kick us off, we want to hear from you: what’s bringing you joy this holiday season? What traditions do you most look forward to? Share by filling out our form or replying to this email.
