Does A Democrat Have A Shot At The Governor's Seat? The Hub

The HUB is an effort to get you caught up on whatever you need to know each weekday in Boston and around Massachusetts.

Today is Thursday, June 24. Let's get started.

What To Know Today

It's old news by now that state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz has thrown her hat in the ring for governor. Gov. Charlie Baker is so far mum on a potential third term, offering that he and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito would "talk about this [with their families] once we get past some of the immediate issues in front of us" during a news conference Wednesday (more on that later).

The Jamaica Plain lawmaker is the third Democrat to enter the 2022 race, alongside former state Sen. Ben Downing and Harvard professor Danielle Allen.

But does a Democrat have a realistic path to the State House? The Globe's Yvonne Abraham weighs in:

Would the state that loves Republican Governor Charlie Baker to bits ever replace him with a progressive firebrand like Sonia Chang-Díaz? Or any Democrat?

Chang-Díaz formally kicked off her gubernatorial run on Wednesday. The state senator from Jamaica Plain has earned a reputation as a vocal and uncompromising advocate for public schools, criminal justice reform, a millionaire’s tax, and racial justice during her 13 years on Beacon Hill. That has garnered her the ire of some of her colleagues, and made her the darling of the younger progressive activists who helped US Senator Ed Markey win reelection last year.

“I speak up, I organize, and I win,” she said in her first campaign video, summing up her pitch. (Yvonne Abraham, The Boston Globe)

Speaking of races to keep an eye on, we're still waiting for the one for Boston mayor to heat up.

In what was billed as her first major speech to Boston’s business community, Acting Mayor Kim Janey on Wednesday steered clear of any controversy while focusing on spreading the wealth of city contracts to diverse small businesses and helping address the city’s labor and housing shortages.

Janey is competing with five other rivals — including several of her city council peers — for the mayor’s seat this fall, and no candidate has yet emerged as a clear favorite of the city’s business community. (Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe)

Compared to the crowded New York City primary, the race for City Hall is still relatively quiet, Commonwealth Magazine's Bruce Mohl writes.

With less than three months to go before the Boston mayoral preliminary election, it feels like the campaign is in slow motion.

The candidates are out there talking with voters, meeting at forums, and issuing policy positions. But there’s no sizzle, no clash of ideas. It’s a little boring. (Bruce Mohl, Commonwealth Magazine)

After playing musical chairs with their front office, the Celtics are putting their faith in a disciple of San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Celtics hire Ime Udoka: 5 things to know about Boston’s new head coach

The Celtics became the first team to fill a head coaching vacancy this offseason on Wednesday by agreeing to terms with Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Ime Udoka. Let’s take a closer look at the former NBA veteran and long-time assistant coach that will be taking over for Brad Stevens on Boston’s bench. (Brian Robb, MassLive)

Biden To Nominate Cronin For Ireland Ambassadorship

House Majority Leader Claire Cronin will be nominated by President Joe Biden to become the next ambassador to Ireland, the White House announced on Wednesday, confirming its plans to tap one of the president's leading surrogates in a state Biden won during the 2020 campaign for a plum overseas posting.

Cronin, the second-ranking Democrat in the House, has been rumored for weeks to be in line for the assignment, and sources on Beacon Hill told the News Service in late May that the Easton lawmaker was being vetted for the position. (Matt Murphy, State House News Service via WBUR)

In Case You Missed It

Baker Proposes Waiving Massachusetts Sales Tax For Two Months

At a news conference Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker proposed waiving the state's 6.5 percent sales tax for the months of August and September.

Baker, who has not said whether he will run for reelection next year, said he's expecting a surplus when the fiscal year ends June 30. The state collected more in tax revenue than projected during the coronavirus pandemic. Overall tax revenue is 14.9 percent above projections. Meanwhile, the balance of the state's so-called rainy day fund is now higher than it was at the start of the pandemic last March.

"A two-month sales tax holiday will provide a boost to Massachusetts' taxpayers and Main Street economies as we continue to recover from COVID-19," Baker said in a statement. "Massachusetts' economic recovery is off to a good start, but it's crucial that the Commonwealth takes action now to spur more economic activity in communities and support taxpayers." (Dave Copeland, Patch)

Know When To Fold 'Em

"We conclude that the plaintiffs understood the rules and the stakes, and that deference is due to the commission's interpretation. Therefore, the plaintiffs lose this last bet," the Supreme Judicial Court wrote in its decision against gamblers who argued they were entitled to higher blackjack winnings at Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield. (Alex Newman, Patch)

What I'm Reading Today

As a Saints fan living in New England, witnessing Tom Brady's unstoppable run while Drew Brees wasted away his prime years with a Swiss cheese defense always rankled me. Double now that he punched my guy's ticket to retirement.

But I'd be lying if I said Tampa Brady isn't a lot of fun.

A few things I care about …

The personality of post-Patriot Tom Brady continues to emerge.

And it continues to entertain.

The latest chapter of Brady Unplugged comes from an upcoming episode of the HBO talk show, “The Shop: Uninterrupted.” A promo clip released Tuesday shows how much Brady still holds a grudge against a (so far) unnamed team that bailed on him late in free agency last year.

“One of the teams, they weren’t interested at the very end,” Brady mused, eyes twinkling. “I was thinking, ‘You’re sticking with that [expletive]?’" (Tara Sullivan, The Boston Globe)

Editor's Note: My begrudging respect is voided if Brady's referring to Brees above.

Weather

The National Weather Service says: Sunny, with a high near 77. Light east wind becoming southeast 8 to 13 mph in the morning. A slight chance of showers after midnight Thursday night. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Sounds like a heck of a day. Enjoy your Friday Eve.