Democratic Party Chairman Gus Bickford won a second four-year term on Thursday night to lead the state party into the next gubernatorial election cycle when it hopes to reclaim the corner office.
Bickford beat back challenges from two opponents, Mike Lake and Bob Massie, who said the party should be doing more to raise money and turn its platform into policy. Bickford won 229 votes on the first ballot, delivering him the majority that he needed to avoid a second round of voting.
Lake, a deputy treasurer of the party and former statewide candidate, finished second with 87 votes, and Massie, who ran for governor in 2018, earned 49 votes.
Bickford highlighted his deep experience in Democratic politics and the successes the party has had at the state level, from reelecting U.S. Sen. Edward Markey by 33 points to flipping a number of legislative seats on Beacon Hill from red to blue in special and regular elections.
"Look at the results," Bickford said.
The chairman also apologized for mistakes he made in the handling of complaints of inappropriate behavior lodged by college Democrats against Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse during his primary against U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.
The web publication The Intercept cast doubt on the allegations, raised questions of homophobia, and reported state party officials including Bickford had helped push the matter forward.
Bickford on Thursday night apologized for his actions to the Democratic State Committee.
"There is not a homophobic bone in this body," Bickford said. "In a short period of time, I mishandled a crisis and I can do better."
An independent report faulted Bickford and others in the party for violating rules against getting involved in a primary.
"There was no mal intent," Bickford said, committing himself to a healing process with members of the party and the LGBTQ community hurt by the episode.
While Bickford cited the party's work with other coalitions to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour and push for passage of the ROE Act in the House, his opponents said more needs to be done to advance the party's policies on climate change and other issues.
"We as a party have to do more than just elect Democrats,” Lake said. “We have to deliver the promises of our platform."
Lake and Massie both criticized Bickford over the party not raising enough money during his tenure. Bickford acknowledged returning a Democrat to the governor’s office will start with fundraising.
"I have introduced the Governor's Circle, which will raise money — a million dollars — to be available to the nominee of the Democratic Party the day after the primary," Bickford said. "I have a very strong plan in doing that."
The post-election meeting of the Democratic State Committee took place over Zoom and was live streamed on YouTube, leading to some awkward moments as members quibbled over voting procedures and how to use virtual chat functions. The microphones also picked up some members chatting idly about their admiration for Gov. Charlie Baker.
"I think he has a good moral compass," said one committee member, prompting another to declare, "He's awful."
NEPM's Adam Frenier contributed.
