Updated at 11:20 a.m. Jan. 18
Tanisha Sullivan, the president of the Boston branch of the NAACP, announced Tuesday that she’s seeking the Democratic nomination for secretary of the commonwealth.
In a campaign kickoff video, Sullivan did not mention the longtime Democratic incumbent, Bill Galvin, by name. But she offered an implicit critique of Galvin’s record as she outlined her own expansive vision for the job.
“I’ll champion policies to protect, defend and expand voting rights here in Massachusetts and across our country,” Sullivan said. “I’ll do more to open our government and help make it accountable to you, by ensuring the accessibility and transparency of our public records. And using the powers of this office, I’ll promote economic prosperity, protect your investments from fraud, and tackle economic inequality.”
In an interview with GBH News, Sullivan said state lawmakers' longstanding reluctance to embrace voting reforms has prevented Massachusetts from playing a nationwide leadership role as voting rights are rolled back in many states.
"For years, grassroots organizers and stakeholders have been pressing for stronger voting rights legislation," she said. "Grassroots organizers and stakeholders across the commonwealth have been fighting for same-day voter registration, fighting for mail-in balloting, fighting for extended early voting. ... What 2020 proved is that the organizers have been right. The stakeholders have been right all along."
Sullivan did not say if she would support removing the unique exemptions from the state's public records law that the Massachusetts Legislature and governor enjoy, but indicated she's open to the idea.
"I do think that whether it's from nonprofit organizations that are seeking information, or ... journalists [who] are seeking information and are unable to get it ... that that's an area where we need to take a closer look," she said. "And we need to listen to those folks and those entities that have been adversely impacted to date, to see where the solutions may lie.
"That's how I have led in all of our work," Sullivan added. "Once we see there is a problem, really bringing together all stakeholders and listening to those who are most closely impacted."
Sullivan, whose mother was a small business owner, also said the secretary of the commonwealth's office should do more to foster growth in that sector.
"One of the things that I'm excited to explore ... is how we can really expand the Corporations Division so it is not just solely the place where a corporation goes to register or file its annual report, but [instead] is a place where, for example, a small business owner who's just getting started can gain access to the tools and supports they need in order to launch their business, in order to help ensure that their business grows," Sullivan said.
Sullivan was raised in Brockton. She previously worked as the chief equity officer in the Boston Public Schools, and served on former Mayor Marty Walsh's Boston Police Reform Task Force. She graduated from the University of Virginia and holds law and business degrees from Boston College.
If elected, she would be the first woman of color to hold statewide office in Massachusetts. Two other women of color, Harvard professor Danielle Allen and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, are running for governor.
Galvin, a former state representative from Boston, has been secretary of the commonwealth since 1995. In 2018, he easily won a primary contest against former Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim and cruised to victory in the general election over Republican Anthony Amore, winning 71 percent of the vote.
Galvin touts his own record on voter registration and financial oversight as an asset, and has repeatedly urged the Massachusetts Legislature to take action to make the voting reforms implemented in the 2020 election cycle permanent.
Editor's note: Sullivan is a member of GBH's Board of Advisors.
This story was updated with additional quotes and details. Correction: This article originally said Galvin was last elected in 2016.
