Since Rick Jakious ended his campaign for the 6th Congressional District seat in April, Marblehead’s Democratic donors have not rallied behind any of the six Democrats remaining in the race, federal filings show.
In the more than three months since the Swampscott Democrat and former chief of staff to Marblehead native Seth Moulton dropped out, citing fundraising struggles, the remaining members of the Democratic field have collected just $7,120 combined in itemized Marblehead contributions. During the same period, Republican Micah Jones, the only GOP candidate running, took in more than that from Marbleheaders by himself: $7,900.
Prior to April 15, Jones had already collected $57,500 from Marbleheaders, bringing his total to $65,400, exceeding the $61,020 that town residents have donated to Democrats, including Jakious.
Most of Jones’ support in Marblehead comes from large donations. Seven residents have given Jones $7,000, the maximum amount allowed under campaign finance law ($3,500 for the primary and another $3,500 for the general election): Lori Shane, Judith Rosenberg, Howard Rich, David Rosenberg, Karen Rosenberg, Steven Rosenthal and Joan Fishman Rosenthal.
According to Federal Election Commission data, Jakious collected $44,950 in 37 individual Marblehead donations before his April 15 withdrawal — more than the other six Democrats combined during that same period.
Dan Koh: $7,000
Tram Nguyen: $2,700
John Beccia: $500
Jamie Belsito: $250
Bethany Andres-Beck: $0
Mariah Lancaster: $0
Jakious was a natural favorite for many Marblehead voters. He and his family live in Swampscott. As Moulton’s chief of staff, he spent significant time in Marblehead. Jakious’ wife is a teacher in Marblehead, and he has served on several local nonprofit boards.
One of Jones’ biggest Marblehead donors, Rich, called Jones “a fine young guy who would make a good representative for our district.”
Added Rich, a philanthropist and retired discount store chain president and shopping center developer, “We need a Republican in the Massachusetts delegation. That’s my point of view.”
David Rosenberg, principal of automobile dealership group DSR Motor Group, is also a top Marblehead donor to Jones.
“I’m actually a registered independent, but I’ve seen Democratic politics, especially in Massachusetts, take a hard turn to the left,” he said. “I don’t like what has happened. I’m Jewish. I see a lot of antisemitism, anti-Zionism on the left. Micah Jones is a centrist. I do not think he’ll be kowtowing to the far right of the Republican Party.”
Rosenberg added that he believes Jones is more in the mold of former Gov. Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican.
On the Democratic side, Nguyen’s financial support has been steady but shallow. Most of her Marblehead donations are modest. Of her 42 individual contributions, 19 are between $100 and $250. Some of her supporters have donated multiple times.
Michele Baillie of Marblehead is one. She has donated four times, totaling $700. She has supported Nguyen since the beginning of the campaign.
“What I like about Tram is that she is truly a grassroots candidate,” Baillie, a patent and trademark prosecution attorney. “She has no personal wealth to contribute to her campaign, but she’s out there pounding the pavement. I like her progressive values. I am also an immigrant, so I respect her for that.”
Nguyen immigrated from Vietnam to the United States with her family as a young girl.
But does a quiet donor base in Marblehead suggest the town’s Democrats are still weighing its options, or did they simply check out after their preferred candidate left the field?
For Nicholas Ward, it is the former. Ward, an early supporter of Jakious, said he has not yet finalized his vote in the Sept. 1 primary.
“I supported Rick Jakious at the outset of this primary because he most clearly understood the moral responsibility of safe-seat Democrats to seek liberal outcomes while recognizing that politics is about reconciling competing interests and coming to a compromise,” Ward said. “It is not about who can pump the base full of unrealistic promises in a way that is totally divorced from the rest of the country’s perception of the Democratic Party.”
Ward added: “That said, the two candidates who stand out most clearly as understanding what is required to not just feel good but do good in this seat are Tram Nguyen and Mariah Lancaster. During the candidates debate at Salem State, they both made clear that any meaningful federal reforms that actually deliver for the people of this district and for America are going to require Republican votes, and they’re willing to go get them.”
Ward said that the more any candidate talks about fighting Donald Trump, “the less enthusiastic I become.”
“There’s no fighting Donald Trump from Massachusetts,” he said. “That’s political fantasy to give the base warm feelings inside. It’s theater. Opposing Donald Trump and MAGA’s agenda means winning races in places like Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan and North Carolina.”
“Blue state Democrats need to adjust their policy expectations accordingly,” he said. “I want a representative who is clear-eyed and understands this.”
Democrat Renee Keaney of Marblehead said many Democrats she knows still haven’t made up their minds. Keaney herself remains uncommitted.
“It’s summer, and people aren’t really paying attention,” she said.
