Big Pharma has a new scheme that will make them even more money: undermining patients' bargaining power and blaming anyone who gets in their way. If we want to solve the Rx cost crisis, we need to hold Big Pharma accountable. To find out how, go to saveourbenefitsma.org.
After several forays into Massachusetts politics, the Working Families Party (WFP) is seeking to set up a larger shop in the Bay State, with the goal of becoming a force to be reckoned with in local elections.
Active in 17 states after starting in New York more than two decades ago, the party’s first hire is an indication that they’re looking to establish a position to Gov. Maura Healey’s left. The party hired as its state director Josh Wolfsun, who interned for Elizabeth Warren’s first Senate run and managed former Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz’s 2022 run for governor against Healey. (The progressive party’s pitch echoes Warren’s go-to line calling the economy “rigged” for wealthy people.)
Party officials see an opening to reach working-class voters as some have fled the Democratic Party for President Trump. In addition, several left-leaning, union-backed ballot questions have succeeded despite tepid support or outright opposition from top Democrats on Beacon Hill, which the party criticizes for low productivity levels and few competitive elections.
They’ve also brought aboard Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Massachusetts as the head of their organizing committee.
“The status quo is not working and we have data in Massachusetts that shows that a lot of voters feel disaffected, or disillusioned, or frustrated, that the issues they care most about aren’t being prioritized,” Tang said.
But having a party line on the ballot is not WFP’s top priority, Wolfsun added. (Both he and Tang remain registered Democrats.)
“We want to be reaching and organizing and building a significant structure here,” Wolfsun said. “Part of what that means is I’m not thinking one election ahead or the next bill we want to get passed. The goal is long-term governing power.”
What that means in practicality, according to Georgia Hollister Isman, WFP’s regional director, is creating “party-like infrastructure,” independent from the Democratic Party, and focused on engaging voters, mobilizing activists and recruiting candidates, all without being an official party that appears on the ballot. They plan to focus on their candidates winning Democratic primaries, though a primary challenge to Healey is not in the offing.
When registering, voters can choose to enroll in a political party (Democratic or Republican) or one of 31 designations (WFP is already available), or stay “unenrolled,” like 65% of Massachusetts voters. The Forward Party is the newest designation, started by former Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey in 2024.
WFP has endorsed candidates running for local office in Worcester and Lawrence, with support coming from a super PAC with WFP ties. They are backing Khrystian King for mayor of Worcester.
In 2022, they spent more than $242,000 on mailers and radio ads in support of Paul Heroux’s successful campaign to oust Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson, a top Trump Republican in Massachusetts. They’ve also previously backed Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Mayor Michelle Wu, who would have received WFP support for her reelection if her opponent Josh Kraft hadn’t dropped out.
Their involvement in the 2026 Democratic primary between incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton is likely but “TBD,” one WFP official said.
Upon realizing that it only takes 50 registered voters to petition for a political designation, I admit the Press Party has a nice ring to it, with a platform of public record requests for all. What would you call your political designation if you had a chance? Let me know: [email protected].
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HAPPENING TODAY
9:15 | Attorney General Andrea Campbell gives remarks at the opening of the 175th anniversary celebration of the first National Convention of Women’s Rights. | Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester
10:00 | Jane Doe Inc., the Mass. Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, holds a press conference to protest $7 million cut to the Department of Public Health funding for survivors. Expected attendees include Stephanie Brown, CEO of Casa Myrna; Sen. Joan Lovely; and Rep. Natalie Blais. | State House steps, Boston
10:00 | The Cannabis Control Commission meets and is expected to begin its final review of regulations to implement social consumption licenses. | Agenda and Access Info
10:00 | The MBTA Board of Directors meets. | State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info
10:00 | Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Education Secretary Pat Tutwiler and Labor and Workforce Development Undersecretary Josh Cutler make an announcement on career-connected learning grants. | 270 Westminster Street, Fitchburg
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STATE REP ENTERS RACE FOR MOULTON SEAT
Tram Nguyen, an Andover Democrat who knocked out Republican state Rep. Jim Lyons in 2018, launched a run for Congress Thursday, the latest candidate looking to take Seth Moulton’s northeastern Massachusetts seat.
Nguyen, whose family fled Vietnam when she was five years old, has served as a member of UAW Local 2320 and worked as an attorney for Greater Boston Legal Services. In the House, she chairs the Committee on Climate Action.
A campaign release announcing her Congressional run called her “one of the state legislature’s most effective fundraisers, and a personal network of friends and supporters across the state going back to her studies at Tufts University, Northeastern University School of Law and the Harvard Kennedy School.”
Nguyen joins a burgeoning field that includes Dan Koh, who has worked in Joe Biden’s administration, Marty Walsh’s City Hall and on Andover’s select board; former state Rep. Jamie Belsito; and Lynnfield businessman John Beccia.
“I’m running for Congress to restore faith in our democracy and to take on the challenges that keep families awake at night: the rising cost of living, the urgent need for affordable housing, and the relentless attacks on our Constitution and civil rights by the MAGA movement,” Nguyen said in a statement.
FROM BEACON HILL
PREMIUM SPIKE: People receiving health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange could see their premiums increase by hundreds or thousands of dollars a year if federal subsidies expire. – Boston Globe
‘BITE-SIZED BILLS’: House lawmakers are showing interest in “bite-sized bills” as part of an effort to avoid an omnibus pile-up at the end of the session with their counterparts in the Senate. – State House News Service
NEWS NEXT DOOR
BOSTON HOUSING: As macroeconomic forces buffet the Boston housing market, the Wu administration is looking to short-term metrics on whether the city is building enough. – CommonWealth Beacon
TOPLESS TOWERS: Boston’s zoning commission unanimously approved a rezoning of Downtown Crossing and the Financial District that would allow for towers that are slightly taller than the ones in the area now, particularly if they are residential. – Boston Business Journal
HOLYOKE’S FISCAL MESS: City officials in Holyoke are clashing over how to respond to an intervention threat from state officials who say they need to see basic financial paperwork going back three years in order to hand over payments for schools, police and other services. – MassLive
DEATON’S SECOND RUN? John Deaton, the cryptocurrency lawyer who challenged Sen. Elizabeth Warren as a Republican in 2024, is moving closer to run against Sen. Ed Markey in 2026. – WBUR
QUINCY BALLOT: A judge ruled that a ballot question repealing a 79% pay raise for Mayor Thomas Koch won’t be on Quincy ballots this November, but could appear on a future one. – Patriot Ledger
AT THE CHECKOUT: A bill from Sen. Paul Feeney seeks to limit stores to only eight self-checkout stations at one time, and requires an employee to supervise every two. Business groups say the bill is too restrictive – NBC10 Boston
BUILDING STRENGTH: A building collapse in Brookline earlier this year is raising questions about whether town officials are equipped to prevent another from happening. – Brookline.News
COP OUT: A former Leominster cop became the 66th police officer decertified by a state oversight board since it started up in 2023. – MassLive
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Regional Organizing Director, Ed Markey for U.S. Senate
Philanthropic Advisor (New England), Movement Voter Project
Port Project Manager, Save the Harbor / Save the Bay
Chief Administrative Officer, Cape Light Compact
Massachusetts State Director, Reproductive Equity Now
Director of Finance, City of Boston (Planning Department)
Director of Parks and Open Space, City of Newton
Deputy Administrator for Administration and Finance, MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
CFO, Girl Scouts of Central and Western MA
Victim Compensation Claims Manager, Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
Manager of Financial Assessments, Center for Health Information and Analysis
Program Assistant, Clean Air & Water, Conservation Law Foundation
