March 28, 2016/Press Releases

MassDems Renew Call for Baker to Release Secret Donors

BOSTON— Following a pointed Boston Globe editorial insisting Gov. Charlie Baker come clean on the sources of his "shadowy dollars," the Massachusetts Democratic Party today is reissuing Chair Tom McGee's letter calling on Baker to do so.

McGee's letter was initially delivered on March 14 to Baker's State House PO box listed as the mailing address for the secret money fund. 

In a more recent development, Baker is refusing to support potential legislation that would, moving forward, force him to report all donors to such a secret fund. 

According to media reports, wealthy donors have been asked to write checks to the secret account, Fund for a New Majority, for as much as $10,000 and the money is then deposited into a private bank account. So far, more than $300,000 was raised as part of Gov. Baker’s efforts to gain full control over the Massachusetts GOP State Committee timed for the March 1 election.

Fund for a New Majority is located at PO box 183 in the State House Basement, according to the return address on the political mailers.

LETTER FROM MASSDEMS CHAIRMAN TOM McGEE DATED MARCH 14:

Dear Governor Baker:

Today marks the beginning of Sunshine Week – a week dedicated to promoting greater transparency in politics and government. In the spirit of this weeklong salute to open information, I ask that you release the donor names and contribution amounts to your organization, Fund for a New Majority.

According to recent news reports, the Fund for a New Majority raised approximately $300,000 that was then used to pay for endorsement mailers sent to voters across the state. The mailers are a glossy, two-sided hard-stock card touting the candidate’s endorsement by yourself and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. The return address is this U.S. Post Office located four floors below you in the State House.

Given your vows to increase openness and transparency on Beacon Hill, as well as the timing of Sunshine Week, we are asking that you release the list of all donors that have contributed to Fund for a New Majority.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. McGee, Chairman