russell holmes

This week, many Democratic voters are laser-focused on their party’s national convention in Chicago. But while the party’s nomination of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is a foregone conclusion, local Democrats in the Boston area face competitive races in the often-overlooked state primary, which this year takes place Sept. 3.

Black voters heading to the polls later this year in Massachusetts will have the opportunity to weigh in on not only the 2024 presidential race — a rematch between incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — but a contested race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Elizabeth Warren, at least six ballot questions, several contested legislative races and an rare race for an open court position.

Saturday morning, Tanisha Sullivan was in Mattapan Square, firing up several dozen volunteers to knock doors in support of her campaign for secretary of state. Motivating volunteers on a hot summer morning can be a bit of a lift, but Sullivan had help with U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and state Rep. Russell Holmes rallying the crowd of volunteers.

State Rep. Nick Collins has filed an amendment to the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal that would require all state agencies to ensure participation of minority and women-owned businesses in all phases of development projects involving state property.