DA Hayden raises hackles as he fails to toe progressive line

If you thought the Boston Red Sox’ 23-run loss this summer was embarrassing, just look at the Massachusetts progressives’ drubbing in the 2022 Democratic Primary. Sonia Chang Diaz, who campaigned for governor, and Quentin Palfrey, who ran for Attorney General, both withdrew from their races. State Auditor Chris Dempsey, Lt. Governor candidate Tami Gouveia and Secretary of State candidate Tanisha Sullivan all faced major losses as Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly rejected the progressive agenda. The biggest disappointment for far left candidates came in the Suffolk County District Attorney contest, when troubled contender Ricardo Arroyo was defeated by interim DA Kevin Hayden.

Kendra Lara, a Democratic socialist city councilor, tweeted derisively and divisively about her frustration with the outcome. “Now that it’s over maybe we can take a good look at ourselves and the state of affairs were in. A sitting state senator and a criminal of a DA, paired up with the corporate media, and two racist councilors to steal an election. Because criminal justice reform was too much.” Lara initially had no problem with what she now sees as corporate media’s reporting on a controversy involving Hayden. She had considered the media an ally, but that all changed when it released a report of sexual assault charges against her candidate Ricardo Arroyo. She calls Councilors Erin Murphy and Frank Baker racists for supporting a Black man she and other progressives oppose.

The treatment of DA Hayden during this election is a perfect illustration of why every Black man in America should steer clear of the Democratic party. Hayden, a family man and a dedicated churchgoer, has been portrayed as the most despicable villain in all of Suffolk County. Why? Because as a Black man, he is guilty of committing a cardinal sin in the eyes of affluent white progressives: He thinks for himself. Progressive Democrats invest heavily in obtaining control of various DA seats in major cities throughout the country, with hopes of implementing “criminal justice reform,” which includes ending qualified immunity, do-not-charge lists, abolishing cash bail and ending mandatory minimums. Making life perfect for lawbreakers while making it intolerable for those who follow the rules. Just look at the progressive DAs in major cities like Chicago, San Francisco and New York .

Is anyone going to hold Councilor Lara accountable for her incendiary comments? No way, no how. To silence their detractors, the progressives label them as racists and engage in other political intimidation tactics. It’s a clever way to cover up their true feelings toward people of color who aren’t aligned with the same politics or beliefs. They’re not being racist themselves, they’re just “woke.” Both Councilors Lara and Tania Fernandes Anderson employed this strategy at a Boston City Council meeting that devolved into a Jerry Springer show spectacle as a result of their outrageous rhetoric. It is counterproductive to accuse co-workers of racism because of differences in political philosophy. We can’t expect the Boston City Council to meet the demands of its constituents when there is so much animosity between its members.

The people of Boston deserve better representation from their city councilors, without all the ego and petulance. Both Councilors Fernandes Anderson and Julia Mejia said they didn’t care if they were re-elected. Their underserved constituents should keep that in mind while casting a ballot in the next election. The voters of Massachusetts have spoken, and they have spoken loud and clear: they do not want the progressive politicians or their toxic philosophy.

Rasheed Walters is an entrepreneur, political commentator and historian. He is a member of Project 21, and resides in Boston. Follow him on Twitter @rasheednwalters.