This year's most coveted office: court clerk?

Mar 15, 2024

OPEN SEASON — Everyone, it seems, is running for court clerk.

OK, OK, not everyone. But with a number of elected court officials stepping away from the seats they’ve held for decades, multiple Beacon Hill lawmakers are foregoing reelection in pursuit of lower-profile legal roles. So, too, is a recently reelected Boston city councilor — though she won’t have to give up her seat to do it.

Democratic state Rep. Dan Carey is chasing an open Hampshire Superior Court clerk position after three terms in the House. Another Democrat, state Sen. Susan Moran, is running for Barnstable County Superior Court clerk, opening up a competitive legislative seat. And, after more than two decades in the Legislature, Democratic state Sen. Walter Timilty III is now vying for the Norfolk Superior Court clerk post his father is giving up after holding it since 2001. Then there’s Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy, who took the city’s chattering class by surprise last week when she announced her bid for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk.

It may seem odd for a politician to covet a behind-the-scenes role that affords them no spotlight nor soapbox. But they have their reasons. And they appear to be about more than just the higher pay.

“I look at that as an extension of public service — people that are into public service, it can take many forms,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, a former state representative who forewent reelection in 2022 to run for DA (which is a more public-facing role than clerk). “Oftentimes, I think people go where they can feel they can make a difference.”

Plus, Tucker said, people are paying more attention to the courts. That’s not lost on this year’s crop of clerk candidates. “It’s a really important position right now,” Carey told Playbook. “We're seeing attacks on our institutions of democracy across the country.” Murphy, too, noted the importance of the courts given “this perilous moment for our democracy.”

Moran, meanwhile, cited the “exciting resurgence” of county government in Barnstable County. And Timilty said he believes the position will provide him “with a greater platform in which to help people of Norfolk County.”

These lower-profile posts do have some perks. The pay for these positions is higher than what each of these lawmakers currently earns in their capacity as elected officials. And though the $174,532 Superior Court clerks made in 2023 and $189,325 salary Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk Maura Doyle earned last year is not near the level some private sector jobs would offer, it’s hardly chump change for a public servant.

And once you’re in, you’re likely in for a looong time. No more running for reelection every two years — court clerks are six-year gigs. And the people who win these deep-down-the-ballot contests tend to hold onto their seats.

Barnstable County Superior Court Clerk Scott Nickerson has served since 2000, running unopposed every election since (He decided to forgo reelection when Moran announced her challenge.) Hampshire Superior Court Clerk Harry Jekanowski Jr. hasn’t had a challenger since he was elected in 1994. (He's not seeking reelection.) Doyle, currently Dorchester’s longest-serving elected official, has faced one opponent since 1998. (She's also not running again.). It's the same with Walter Timilty Jr., who first won in Norfolk County in 2000.

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Speaking of the younger Timilty…

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — State Rep. Bill Driscoll Jr. is planning to run for Timilty’s Senate seat. The Milton Democrat intends to file the requisite paperwork with campaign finance regulators today, according to a person familiar with his plans and granted anonymity to discuss them.

He’s already got at least one opponent. Randolph Democrat Kathleen Crogan-Camara has launched a repeat bid for the seat. And others are eyeing it.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll host a regional Cabinet meeting before announcing a new grant program to support converting office space into housing at 12:45 p.m. in Worcester. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks during the Evacuation Day historical exercises hosted by the South Boston Citizens’ Association at 10:15 a.m. and attends several St. Patrick’s Day events.

SUNDAY — is St. Patrick's Day. Sláinte! The Boston St. Patrick’s Day political breakfast returns to the Ironworkers Local 7 Union Hall in Southie at 9:30 a.m.; state Sen. Nick Collins hosts. Rep. Jake Auchincloss is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. and NBC10 Boston’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m.

Tips? Scoops? Running for something? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Restorative justice funding on the budget chopping block,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: “Last fall, Gov. Maura Healey was quick to tout hundreds of thousands of dollars going toward restorative justice programs as a significant step toward a more humane criminal justice system, but her administration has once again left any chance for funding those programs in the Legislature’s hands. The conditions aren’t terribly favorable."

— “Ambitious bill to reform child care, lower costs sails through Mass. Senate,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a bill Thursday [that] calls for major state investments in early education to help correct a system where families struggle to afford care and low pay often forces workers out of the field. … Asked Thursday if passing the bill earlier this time around was a deliberate attempt to give it a longer runway, Senate President Karen Spilka said, ‘Bingo.’”

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

GOP MESSAGING — Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton is attempting to turn the state’s migrant crisis into a campaign cudgel after a 26-year-old man allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl in a Rockland hotel they were both living in that is temporarily housing migrants.

“Massachusetts voters deserve a senator who will address our broken immigration system. This is a tragedy, and @SenWarren continues to choose partisan talking points over real solutions. Time for a change,” Deaton posted on X.

Deaton’s message echoed earlier outcry from Republican legislators and party leaders who, while expressing sympathy for the girl, also used the alleged incident to again call on lawmakers to "amend" the state’s “right-to-shelter” law.

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston Mayor Wu settles contracts with 2 largest civilian worker unions,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the city’s two largest civilian unions inked a four-year agreement Thursday that deliberately pays out higher-percentage salary increases to the lowest-paid municipal employees."

— “If White Stadium deal with professional soccer team falls apart, Mayor Wu suggests the city would spend its money elsewhere,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe.

FROM THE DELEGATION

REBRAND — Rep. Jake Auchincloss has formally relaunched his leadership PAC with a new name — Beyond Thoughts and Prayers — and a new focus on electing Democrats who will champion gun-control legislation in Congress.

He unveiled his new mission at a roughly 50-person fundraiser in Newton Thursday night, where he was joined by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), a former spokesperson and faith and outreach leader for Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, who shared the emotional story of how she was driven to gun violence-prevention work after her son was killed in a 2012 shooting.

Auchincloss plans to raise money for Democrats in battleground districts and will potentially put some boots on the ground in those areas. He started on Thursday by soliciting donations to aid McBath.

“We can galvanize people behind this issue in these swing districts … particularly parents who are sick of being afraid for their children,” Auchincloss told the room. “I can go to some of these red and purple districts and make this case. I can make this case to our own party leadership. But I need allies in the chamber as well.”

SPOTTED at the fundraiser: Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem, the architect of her chamber’s firearm-regulation bill. She spoke briefly about gun legislation at the State House but did not divulge any updates on conference committee negotiations with the House. Also there: state Reps. Kay Khan and Ruth Balser, and several of the candidates running to succeed them.

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

MILLERON MAKES THE ROUNDS — Nadia Milleron is more formally launching her independent bid against Democratic Rep. Richard Neal, per WAMC. Playbook reported early last month that Milleron was running.

— “GOP state committeeman race headed to a recount,” by Ethan Forman, Gloucester Daily Times: "Official results from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division has North Reading resident Michael Scarlata ahead of Gloucester businessman Clayton Sova by a mere 28 votes."

DAY IN COURT

— “As Mass. courts work through pandemic backlog, judicial vacancies add extra complications,” by Sean Cotter, The Boston Globe: “While the flow of cases returns to normal levels after being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of judges is now causing holdups in the busy superior courts in Greater Boston, leading lawyers to urge the state to focus on putting new judges in place.”

— “The League of Women Voters is suing those involved in robocalls sent to New Hampshire voters,” by Holly Ramer, The Associated Press: “The League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to prevent those who sent robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’ s voice to New Hampshire voters from using artificial intelligence for future deceptions."

JOIN US ON 3/21 FOR A TALK ON FINANCIAL LITERACY: Americans from all communities should be able to save, build wealth, and escape generational poverty, but doing so requires financial literacy. How can government and industry ensure access to digital financial tools to help all Americans achieve this? Join POLITICO on March 21 as we explore how Congress, regulators, financial institutions and nonprofits are working to improve financial literacy education for all. REGISTER HERE.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Peabody joins Salem in talks of taking elections out of schools,” by Caroline Enos, The Salem News: “City officials are again debating if polling sites should be removed from schools, this time following a rise in safety concerns from educators and a similar discussion in Salem.”

— “Pressure builds to end legacy preferences in college admissions,” by Max Larkin, WBUR.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Josh Nudelman will be director of federal affairs for Gov. Maura Healey. He's currently associate director at the White House’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

— Katie Petersen is now the deputy speechwriter to Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su. She was press secretary and digital director for Rep. Lori Trahan.

— Matt Corridoni is joining the DNC as the spokesperson for its new team countering third-party candidates. He was communications director for Rep. Jake Auchincloss and will remain an outsider adviser to him.

— Delaney Corcoran is now Arizona deputy communications director for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. She was communications director for Healey administration Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Leonardo Alcivar and Johanna Campbell Case.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Boston Globe alum and Philadelphia Inquirer Digital Editor Felicia Gans Sobey, Mark Eurich, Bobby Deren and Mary Deren, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, former MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons, Daniel Bellow, Cam Charbonnier, Amber Jamanka and Jeremy Comeau.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE TRUTHS ABOUT YOUTHS — Hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith break down the latest data on why young people are leaving Greater Boston. CommonWealth Beacon’s Gintautas Dumcius talks the tipped wages ballot battle. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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