Massachusetts politics

The three Democrats running for the Massachusetts attorney general seat being vacated by Maura Healey faced off last Thursday in their first debate, with candidates seeking to differentiate themselves from the pack by citing their experiences using the law to fight injustice.

Roxbury activist Dianne Wilkerson appears to be restarting her political career. Earlier this year, she said she was contemplating a run for the 2nd Suffolk District seat, which is being vacated by gubernatorial candidate Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz.

Surrounded by elected officials and supporters in Roslindale Square on Tuesday, District 5 City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo announced he is running for Suffolk County District attorney.

When City Councilor Lydia Edwards entered Spinelli’s in East Boston, where she held her election night party, it was with tears of joy on her face and her campaign team in tow to announce victory in the special primary election for the vacant First Suffolk and Middlesex seat in the state Senate.

The race for the newly-drawn 2nd Suffolk District seat is open and state Reps Liz Miranda and Nika Elugardo are in.

Since Rep. Chynah Tyler took over the Caucus, many of the body’s longstanding practices have been upended. The body has not agreed on an agenda for the year, has not held regularly scheduled meetings and has passed up opportunities to weigh in on key issues.

Sponsored by Rep. Liz Miranda, Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Ruth Balser, the Safe Communities Act limits state law enforcement’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Advocates consider this a part of public health policy as well as immigration policy, since so many of Massachusetts’ immigrants are essential workers during the pandemic.

The Black Mass. Coalition calls on the next Speaker to commit to ensuring that their staff and leadership team will be more inclusive — representing the Commonwealth’s racial and ethnic diversity — and provide greater opportunities for service on key committees by members of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.

House and Senate members approved a criminal justice reform bill that will create a statewide commission empowered to set standards for the certification of police in Massachusetts investigate allegations of misconduct and decertify officers who have engaged in serious misconduct.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the primary battle between U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy and Sen. Edward Markey bears few of the hallmarks of an ordinary campaign. Among the more extraordinary developments: Voters are already casting their ballots, four weeks before the September 1 primary date.

In a virtual town hall, democratic candidates for the Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Suffolk seat answered questions Saturday about wealth disparities, housing justice, health care and more.

Although the Legislature was scheduled to wrap up its business on Friday, July 31, the House and Senate agreed on July 29 to extend the session.