Massachusetts Democrats didn't wait for the dust to settle from a tumultuous national election before pivoting toward the state election two years hence, when the party's top priorities will include reclaiming the governor's office from Republican Charlie Baker. The Democratic State Committee quickly tapped veteran political operative Gus Bickford to serve as party chairman, succeeding state Sen. Thomas McGee. Bickford played a key role in organizing opposition to Question 2, a proposal to expand charter schools, which voters soundly defeated despite strong backing from Baker.