3/24/2022--This week on The Horse Race, a new development in the Republican primary race for governor. Candidate Geoff Diehl announced his running mate, Leah Cole Allen. Allen served briefly as a state representative in YEAR before becoming a nurse. "She keeps Diehl's ticket firmly in conservative territory," Lisa explains. Allen is anti-abortion, anti-mask and vaccine mandates, isn't vaccinated herself, and and told reporters she thinks there’s “enough evidence” to support the possibility of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

The race for Secretary of the Commonwealth also saw some developments this week. Candidate Tanisha Sullivan enjoyed a suite of endorsements from state Reps. Russell Holmes, Nika Elugardo and Liz Miranda; and Boston City Councilors Julia Mejia, Ruthzee Louijeune, Ricardo Arroyo, Kendra Lara and Tania Fernandes Anderson.

Last month, Senate President Karen Spilka appointed a new Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation -- Brendan Crighton. Sen. Crighton drops by The Horse Race to talk about leading on transportation in a time when congestion on the roads is as bad as it ever was and T ridership is a fraction of pre-pandemic levels.

Finally, Lisa delivers a recap of Wednesday's virtual event hosted by State House News wherein House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka provided insight into the priorities for the rest of this legislative session. Also, in a surprising turn of events. Mariano disclosed his endorsement for the Massachusetts governor's race in candidate and current state Attorney General Maura Healey.