JD Vance manages to make a money swing through the fair.

After what many found to be a compelling debate performance, JD Vance was scheduled to launch a fundraiser in Massachusetts this weekend.

Echoing the host of politicians who have sought to tap the Bay State’s wealthy donor base this year, Vance was scheduled to attend a luncheon in Gloucester today hosted by Michael and Renee Minogue.

Suggested donations are high, with the top “host” spot costing $100,000 per couple. However, someone could have purchased a “participant” slot for a paltry $5,000. Interested in a photo opportunity? That cost $15,000, according to an invitation reviewed by the Herald.

Michael Minogue is president and CEO of Minogue Consulting and Heartwork Capital, two Hamilton-based companies. Heartwork Capital is a private equity fund “focused on companies advancing innovative technologies and healthcare accessibility,” according to its website.

Michael Minogue has donated money this year to John Deaton, the longtime Republican running to unseat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Republican National Committee, America Great PAC and U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, a conservative from Texas, records show on federal campaign financing.

According to federal records, Renee Minogue donated $100,000 to former President Donald Trump’s campaign in April and two separate donations of more than $40,000 to the Republican National Committee in April.

Republican National Committee Reps. Janet Fogarty and Bob and Laura Reynolds also chair the event. – Chris Van Buskirk

Libertarians love Hub

Deep blue Boston’s management received praise from an unlikely source: a prominent libertarian.

“The city of Boston — just walking around — is great,” Peter Suderman, editor of leading libertarian magazine Reason, said on the Sept. 30 episode of The Reason Roundtable, a podcast featuring senior editors from the publication, after being there Direct asked if there was a single major city he could name that had been well managed in recent years.

“It doesn’t feel like ‘what the hell happened here’ like Washington DC often feels these days, like New York sometimes felt in the post-pandemic years,” he said, adding other cities like San Francisco and Seattle is for those who, in his opinion, have become “real messes.”

“And it’s not a red city, it’s not a libertarian city. There are a lot of things here that we would all disagree with,” he said. “But Boston is doing a better job post-pandemic than any city I’ve ever been to.”

He highlighted Boston’s “incredibly low” murder rate in recent years.

As of Sept. 29, the most recent date statistics were released, there were 16 homicides in the city, compared to 29 during the same period last year and the five-year average of 38. There were 37 homicides last year.

In contrast, of the cities Suderman mentioned, New York City reported 275 murders so far this year, compared to 311 in the same period last year; Washington DC is reporting 144 murders so far this year, compared to 215; San Francisco is reporting 24 murders so far this year, compared to 40; Seattle is reporting 39 murders, compared to 44 so far this year. – Flint McColgan

Baker back in the Bay State

Former Gov. Charlie Baker, now president of the NCAA, still deals with Bay State politics. (No, as far as we know, he is not challenging Governor Maura Healey.)

Baker received the Brigadier General Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse II Leadership Award this week for his “unwavering commitment to veterans.” Woodhouse, 96, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, thanked Baker for his help in bringing to fruition a mural in Logan Airport’s Terminal C honoring the Tuskegee heroes. “Governor, friend,” he said, “you still have potential.”

Baker was the first recipient of the Hanscom Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation award. The ceremony took place at the Blue Hill Country Club in Canton. – Joe Dwinell

Originally published: October 5, 2024 at 1:16 p.m