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Boston Globe

‘Why do those groups care about our local elections?' In Andover, MTA and MassGOP enter electoral fray.

That growing influx of outside money and support is not only unusual for a municipal race but is a potential harbinger of what's to come across the state as groups, such as the MTA, expand their influence into what once were hyperlocal affairs. 'This is a logical extension of the great political and electoral work we've done,' said Max Page, president of the 117,000-member MTA, which in recent years put tens of millions of dollars behind efforts to Advertisement This spring alone, Page said the MTA is helping organize in roughly 20 towns where residents are weighing whether to The moves follow a swell of activism among teachers, who in recent years have launched strikes in several communities — and incurred But the decision to actually spend money in local races is relatively new. The Advertisement Where the MTA funnels money and support depends on which local affiliates ask, said Page, who declined to detail in which communities the union is backing candidates this year. 'Across our entire union, more and more of our locals are becoming much more active,' he said. That includes in Andover, where in 2023 teachers Last spring, the local union endorsed two school committee candidates — a former and current teacher — and the MTA's super PAC followed by spending $15,000 backing them and two others running for the town's select board, including covering the cost of a mobile billboard in town. Three of the four candidates won, including both who ran to be on the school committee. This year, the local teachers union again endorsed two school committee candidates, Advertisement Late last week, the MTA's super PAC While it's a mere fraction of the amounts the MTA has spent on statewide ballot questions, even a few thousands dollars goes far in municipal races. For example, as of last week none of Andover's school committee candidates reported raising more than roughly $3,600 this year, meaning the MTA's super PAC may ultimately spend more than anyone actually running. The MassGOP also offered a hand to Shepley, a 19-year-old running for the second time in as many years for a school committee seat. His campaign paid the party nearly $1,500 to cover the costs of a mailer, which the party sent out on his behalf, using its discounted rate on postage. Amy Carnevale, the MassGOP chair, said the party typically uses those so-called coordinated campaign mailers for legislative candidates. But she said the party is focused on 'building our bench,' including through local seats that can provide a feeder system for higher office. (Shepley did not respond to a request for comment.) 'Candidly we don't have the financial resources to compete with the MTA on direct support for local candidates, so it's been really focused on the technical support,' Carnevale said, adding that the party has held trainings around the state for those interested in seeking office. She declined to say where else the party is actively backing local candidates. 'Sometimes they prefer that the party itself don't do an endorsement' in a nonpartisan race, she said. 'But we may be helping them behind the scenes.' Advertisement The presence of the MTA and MassGOP has only inflamed tensions in Andover, where incumbents have questioned their interest in the race and the push by the unions to replace them. 'You need to ask yourself, why do those groups care about our local elections? What do they stand to gain or lose if certain candidates are elected?' DiCesaro said. 'School committee members need to represent the citizens of Andover and make decisions in the students' best interests, not in the best interests of the teacher union.' Wright, the other incumbent running, suggested that the MTA's financial backing creates the appearance of a 'quid pro quo,' given the committee will be responsible for bargaining a new contract with the union. The Andover Education Association, the local union, has also explored pursuing a union-run 'Our local election process has historically been focused on the local needs of Andover,' Wright said. 'When you have that outside influence, that changes the landscape.' Matt Bach, president of the local teachers' union, rejected that the MTA's support creates any type of conflict of interest. He also said a potential innovation school is only a 'concept' and is not a motivating factor for the union to get involved in the race because 'educators would be working for positive change on the School Committee whether we were exploring that idea or not.' 'The 'outside' groups referred to here are the Educators the community sends their children to everyday,' Bach said in an email. 'Educators, hundreds of which are Andover residents, should be involved in shaping the success of their schools. We know the problems in our schools better than almost anyone else.' Advertisement Tamarkin noted that legally he has no input on the MTA's super PAC decision to support him. To critics of the outside spending, he added: 'Hate the game, not the player.' 'If you don't like these rules, then change them,' he said in a phone interview. 'They're saying, 'Jake is not independent, therefore he's going to give away the farm.' I'm saying, 'They're bad strategists and they already gave away the farm [in the last contract].' I say we get closer to the union so they stop robbing us.' Matt Stout can be reached at