if there’s a big issue in the state House, like rent control or tax cuts, you can usually expect state Rep. Mike Connolly of Cambridge to take a position to the left of most his colleagues In fact, after the 2021-2022 legislative session ended, Connolly was one of three state representatives named as exemplar by the group Progressive Mass, which gave it earned him an A-plus rating, 100% for those years.
Now, however, Connolly faces possible expulsion from the Boston chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America for, among other things, endorsing Maura Healey for governor in the 2022 Democratic primary, twice endorsing Ron Mariano as to president of the Chamber and deviate from the DSA. national housing platform working with landlords in the push to make rent control a reality in Massachusetts.
A Boston DSA vote on Connolly’s proposed expulsion is scheduled for Sunday, July 23. He joined Adam Reilly to discuss criticism of his approach and why he believes it is necessary to work within the political system while seeking to transform it.
When it comes to politics, what is the right balance between purity and pragmatism? Email us your thoughts at TalkingPolitics@wgbh.org or share them via the Talking Politics page.
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