Massachusetts Governor’s Race Update And More…
MALC has been very busy since releasing its policy recommendations challenge for the next governor of our state in February.
We shared our policy recommendations via email with all but one of the 10 individuals running for governor’s office. The MALC Steering Committee also met with 8 of the candidates* running for governor. We discussed the recommendations with them in more depth and highlighted key information about our sector. All of the candidates graciously shared their views and policy plans for our sector.
On the whole, MALC has been very heartened and encouraged by what we heard from those we met with running for the governor’s office. All the candidates, and by extension their staff, were gracious, enthusiastic, and honestly open to learning more about the issues Massachusetts artists of all disciplines face. Having such a strong field of candidates running this election cycle bodes well for our democracy.
What comes next?
The upcoming Democratic State Convention on June 14th will further narrow the number of candidates running for governor, as well as those who are running for the other state constitutional offices (Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer etc.).
There will be primaries in September for candidates of the Democratic and the Republican parties who are running for statewide positions. The winners of those primaries will be on the November ballot for the general election. Those candidates running as unenrolled (also known as independents) and have met the 10,000 certified signature requirement, won’t have a primary in September. Instead, their names will appear on the November ballot along with those candidates who won their respective party’s primaries.
In the coming months, MALC plans to reach out to and share our policy recommendations with those running for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and State Treasurer. Often the policies of these elected officials do impact our sector. We feel it is important that all candidates running for these offices know what Massachusetts working artists of all disciplines face.
MALC is also planning a full analysis of the gubernational policy platforms for our sector before the September primaries.
Stay tuned!
Best,
Kathleen Bitetti, Artist and MALC Co-Founder
John Weeks, Writer and MALC Steering Committee Member
*The website of the gubernatorial candidates MALC met with in alphabetical order:
Joe Avelone
Charlie Baker
Don Berwick
Martha Coakley
Evan Falchuk
Steven Grossman
Juliette Kayyem
Jeff McCormick