Anthony Scaramucci, the 10-day White House communications director for former President Donald Trump, threw his weight behind John Deaton, a Republican running in Massachusetts to unseat Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Scaramucci said this week he would host a fundraiser for Deaton, though the event has not been scheduled, according to Deaton’s campaign manager, Michael Gorecki, who said the Senate candidate has formally accepted Scaramucci’s offer.
“We’re grateful for the support,” Gorecki told the Herald.
Scaramucci was fired from his job in the Trump administration after an on-the-record, curse-laden conversation — in which he criticized multiple Trump staffers — leaked. He previously said he would back President Joe Biden if Trump won the Republican nomination this year. – Chris Van Buskirk
Hot Mic: Massachusetts shelter system is in a ‘gas-up moment’
A few chuckles were heard around the House Chamber Wednesday afternoon when Rep. Carlos González said the state’s overburdened shelter system is in a “gas up moment.”
The Springfield Democrat was speaking during debate on legislation that would pump an additional $245 million into the state-run shelter system and put in place a nine-month time limit of families’ stay in temporary housing. The bill eventually cleared the House on a 121-33 vote.
“No airplane flight is sustainable. It has to stop at some point to gas right up. So this is a gas-up moment. We’re gassing up the plane and putting the best pilots back on track to our destination, which is Massachusetts delivering a sense and a path forward for America,” he said. – Chris Van Buskirk
MassGOP maneuverings
Before the decisive pounding of the Jim Lyons-Geoff Diehl slate in races for GOP state committee Tuesday, topless booze cruise impresario Alexander “Sandy” Tennant was tirelessly lobbying uncommitted committee members whom the Kult believed might be persuaded to restore their hapless crew to power.
We’ve already reported how Tennant, a failed GOP consultant whose 1999 booze cruise destroyed ex-Cong. Peter Blute’s political career, campaigned for a North Shore candidate who was buried in a landslide by incumbent chairman Amy Carnevale.
Tennant also reached out to Nicky Miceli, a 20-year-old who ran unopposed for a seat in Natick. Sandy treated Miceli to the Celtics home game against the Timberwolves in January.
“It was overtime, a great game,” Miceli said. But he added that Sandy had made no direct pitch to woo him towards the party also-rans.
“I’m meeting with Amy next week,” he said. “I think she’s great.”
Tennant also tried to talk to Julie Hall of Attleboro, who was elected Tuesday.
“I did get a call but it was short,” she texted. “I did not meet. He did not pitch anyone to me and I have not heard from him again.”
Nor is she likely to, given the fact that the number of committed Kultists on the new committee now seems closer to 20 than 30 of the 77 members. Roll call votes will be futile, but then, abject futility is part of the Lyons-Diehl brand. – Howie Carr
Super Tuesday hits
Massachusetts Republicans turned out in droves on Super Tuesday when former President Donald Trump handily won the Bay State over opponent Nikki Haley.
Secretary of State William Galvin said the Republican presidential primary had the second-most ballots cast, at 567,000, in Massachusetts history. This year’s contest was beaten only by the 2016 Republican presidential primary.
MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said the “impressive” Republican turnout signals conservative issues are resonating with voters “across party lines.”
“Additionally, the noteworthy number of Democrats opting for Republican ballots during this primary reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the policies of the Biden and Healey-Driscoll Administration. Moving forward, we will continue to engage with non-affiliated voters and Democrats,” she said in a statement.
More than 1.2 million registered voters participated in the state’s Super Tuesday contests, the first such election since the no-excuse mail-in voting program started in Massachusetts. Only half of ballots cast in the Democratic and Republican primaries were done in-person on Election day.
“There is little doubt that the availability of vote by mail ballots helped drive turnout in this primary,” Galvin said in a statement. “It is a testament to the success of our vote by mail program that nearly half of those who voted did so with a mail-in ballot.” – Chris Van Buskirk
Shooting hoops with Ray
Former mayor and ambassador to the Vatican Ray Flynn put his collegiate hoop prowess to work for Southie kids.
It’s all part of helping youngsters compete in the South Boston Citizens’ Association annual free-throw contest, which is part of the organization’s 248th Annual Evacuation Day events.
Flynn played for Providence College graduating in 1963 and is in the school’s sports Hall of Fame. He was an Academic All-American and MVP of the NIT tournament. The Friars won that tournament in 1963 with Flynn as the star shooting guard.
He’s still has the touch. – Joe Dwinell
Meanwhile…
The top budget writer in the House criticized Massachusetts’ Congressional delegation for the lack of help from Washington on migrant-related issues.
House budget chief Aaron Michlewitz pointed to Congress’ inability to pass a bipartisan immigration bill that would have shuttled aide to states dealing with an influx of migrants.
“It’s fallen on deaf ears, it seems like, whether it’s from the administration down in Washington, from Congress. Our own delegation has not necessarily been particularly helpful on this conversation,” Michlewitz told reporters Wednesday. “There was a vote on the Senate floor. Our Senate colleagues did not vote for it.”
Michlewitz’s comments come about a week after House Speaker Ron Mariano also called out Warren and Markey last week. – Chris Van Buskirk
