This is the continuation of the analysis I began releasing with Part 1 on October 17, the anniversary of the campaign leaving a key supporter literally out in the cold by rescheduling a press conference without telling him, despite the campaign’s public relations team from Dewey Square Group having vetted him for a speaking slot.
As referenced in my previous introduction, this was just one example of the many ways MA’s Yes on 4 fell short. My hope is honest reflections on what went wrong will contribute to winning campaigns moving forward.
In an X post last year, nationally renowned drug policy expert and attorney Shaleen Title disclosed: “People in MA, women and POC especially, have been privately warning each other for years about James Davis/Bay Staters.” Campaign organizers were warned in 2023 by a reputable source of “major concerns about the groups on the ground.”
Despite this, divisive local activist James Davis:
Was encouraged by the campaign to partner for “public education, coalition building, and signature gathering”
Received $35,000 for his psychedelics decriminalization/underground therapy organization directly from the campaign, financially linking him to the ballot committee
Was able to attack the ballot question in major media outlets like The Boston Globe and WBUR month after month, while lying about his relationship with the ballot committee and mobilizing on-the-ground opposition, while still being courted as a partner by the campaign
The relevant details of Davis’s impact on the campaign, including up to $150,000 in lobbying spending to counter his influence, are extensive. Consequently, this release, 2.1 (available on Substack and attached as a PDF), tells only part of the story, with more to come shortly.
My goal remains to offer transparency to strengthen our shared mission.Thank you for your continued support and commitment to this cause.With gratitude,Graham Moore(Former Yes on 4 Staffer)
