Hi there, everyone. I’m back from vacation and ready for action.
I’ll mark my return with something from the Shoe’s On the Other Foot File. I’ve reported here previously that Bristol County DA C. Samuel Sutter, who is challenging Congressman William R. Keating (D) in the Democratic primary for the Ninth Congressional District, was under the microscope for alleged misconduct by his office tied to a 2010 murder case.
Mr. Sutter’s office was earlier this month cleared of any wrongdoing in that case, but now Rep. Keating is under similar scrutiny. While still in office as the Norfolk County DA, Rep. Keating’s office allegedly failed to turn over documents to a defense attorney involved in a statutory rape case.
The case was later dismissed without those documents ever being turned over to the defense attorney, and last month the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the DA’s office displayed “egregious prosecutorial misconduct” for its actions.
Rep. Keating defended his former office, claiming that withholding those documents was in the best interests of the alleged victim and the office was under no legal obligation to hand the information over.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sutter’s office is still under investigation for a second alleged instance of misconduct tied to a 2011 murder case that ended in dismissal over a recanted testimony, which the office allegedly failed to tell a grand jury about.
Frankly, it’s tough to take either of these situations as a major issue. Yes, all our candidates should have sterling ethics and spotless records, but in this day and age it’s hard to find anyone in politics with a flawless background. Unless either of these reveals a serious ethical lapse on the direct part of the candidates, voters would be better off trying to learn where they stand on the issues.
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However, don’t expect to be educated through a debate this week on WBSM-AM 1420, because Rep. Keating has refused to participate. Why? Because on-air personality Phil Paleologos was tapped as the moderator, and he’s a Republican. Mr. Sutter said he planned to show up anyway.
Rep. Keating is calling his decision a matter of political principle, but I’m calling it silly posturing. Personally, I’d be very interested in hearing a debate guided by a moderator who holds politically contrary positions as compared to the participating candidates.
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On another Congressional note, Republican candidate Christopher Sheldon of Plymouth has secured his spot on the ballot. Mr. Sheldon announced on May 31 that he had submitted more than enough certified signatures to qualify for the race.
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Someone who won’t be on any ballots is US Senate candidate Marisa DeFranco, who was planning to challenge Elizabeth Warren for the Democratic nomination. Ms. DeFranco failed to receive 15 percent of the delegates at Democrats’ June 2 state convention, and under the party’s rules she is not eligible for the ballot.
While DeFranco had no realistic chance of beating Ms. Warren, it would have been nice if voters had a choice in September. It’d also be nice if all the signatures she collected to get on the ballot actually mattered more than internal party processes.
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Linell and Steven Grundman of East Sandwich will host tomorrow (Saturday, June 16) a campaign event for R. Patrick Ellis, Democratic challenger to State Representative Randy Hunt (R – Sandwich). The event is scheduled to run from 7 to 9:30 PM and will be held at 51 Wing Boulevard E in Sandwich.
Shoot an RSVP e-mail to grundmans@comcast.net. Campaign contributions will be accepted but are not requested.
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Thomas F. Keyes, Republican candidate for State Senator of the Plymouth and Barnstable District, welcomes former state auditor candidate Mary Z. Connaughton to town on Monday. Ms. Connaughton is the special guest at a campaign reception for Mr. Keyes at the Nimrod in Falmouth, and that runs from 7 to 9 PM.
Admission is a donation to Mr. Keyes’ campaign, payable at the door or make arrangements in advance by calling 774-208-3480.
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Finally, Andrew V. Putnam of Falmouth has filed his nomination papers for the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, making him the first 100-percent-official candidate for the county’s legislative body.
Mr. Putnam will have a campaign kick-off event next week, details TBA, but in the meantime, go groove to his new campaign website at http://andrewputnam.org.
Political news and announcements may be e-mailed to Michael Bailey, senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net.
