A First Timer Primer: Everett Democratic Caucus 2018

As a first time caucus attendee, I came away with the impression that local Democracy in 2018 is a
vibrant, rowdy, messy, fun, and frustrating conflagration of people who care about the future of Everett.

First thing’s first

First an army of clipboard bearing campaign volunteers surrounded me me and asked if I would sign the
petition to get their particular candidate on the ballot (for State rep, District Attorney, Secretary of State,
Registrar of deeds, among others). I signed everything within reach.

Next, some luminaries and hopefuls gave speeches, including:

State. Sen. Sal DiDomenico

State Rep. Joe McGonagle (taking an early chance in his campaign against Gerly Adrien to inform the
crowd that degrees aren’t what it’s about at the state house, it’s about “relationships.”
Why people with degrees can’t build relationships, Rep McGonagle failed to clarify.)

State Rep. candidate Gerly Adrien

Representatives from three Democratic gubernatorial candidates

-Jay Gonzalez

-Bob Massey

-Setti Warren

Comedian  and Lt. Governor candidate, Jimmy Tingle.

10 term Congressman Mike Capuano

I had a chance to talk briefly to two of the three people there representing gubernatorial candidates
(Gonzalez and Warren). I was able to ask each of them one question:

“Where does your candidate stand on the current formula for determining what makes a
low-income student? “

The formula has a huge effect on how much state money communities like Everett and Revere will get
to fund schools. Right now the way it works, Everett and communities like it get less than they used to,
and communities like Newton and Wellesley get more.

The rep for Jay Gonzalez told me that while he wasn't sure, Jay does have a plan called
the "millionaire tax." Basically, the first million is taxed at the normal rate, and then there is a 5% jump
on every dollar after that. That money would go to schools. Sounds promising for fans of education,
but how would those funds be allocated? If the current formula applies, in two years or so
Wellesley and Newton would look like the city of Wakanda.

The rep. for Setti Warren said he's "99 percent sure," that Mr. Warren supports a return to the old formula.

This is an important issue for Everett voters going forward and I hope that the candidates will clarify their
positions.

The Vote

The main purpose of a caucus is to elect 4 delegates- 2 male, 2 female-from each ward.
Those who wish to be alternates or youth delegates can also apply for consideration.

The vote at my table, Ward 4, included 8 voters (the Ward committee chairman recused himself),
3 female candidates, and 3 male candidates. I did not run.

The voting process at first went; someone was nominated, seconded, and everyone voted.
In the middle of that, one delegate candidate posited that this method of voting could leave someone out
before they even had a chance to be nominated.. He stated that all nominees should be known before
we voted.  

There was disagreement at the table over this. Two nominees were new to the city.
One, a female candidate, was advised by the ward committee chair that she should consider being an
alternate first and that after time she would then get a chance to be a delegate.
The other nominee new to Everett was male and in the city for about a year and a half.

The local Democratic committee chairman was called over to clarify the rules,
(we did indeed need to have all nominees in before we voted) and the vote proceeded smoothly
there after. The winners included two sisters whose father had been a long time standout in Everett
politics, a former city councilor, and the aforementioned newest city resident.

Aside from some free donuts and coffee, and the heartening declaration heard over and over that this
year’s caucus was especially bustling, that’s pretty much it. I scooped up my ream of shiny, high quality,
propaganda handouts, and shuffled home a little wiser about the inner-workings of local Democracy.