Republican candidate for Senate Jeff Beatty is accusing his opponent in the GOP primary, Jim Ogonowski, of voter fraud.

In a letter to Secretary of State Galvin, Beatty passes along a claim of a false signature on Ogo's nomination papers -- and adds that there are "deceased persons’ signatures on additional James Ogonowski nomination papers."

Where there's smoke, you'll often find fire, and when something stinks, you'll often find somebody shovelling crap. This morning Frank Phillips wades through the stench of the Buzzards Bay wind turbine deal, which I mentioned in my story on DiMasi and the House in early April:

...it’s not just environmental groups who are worked up over a maneuver that critics call an outrageous handout to DiMasi’s personal friend, developer Jay Cashman.

Rachel Kaprelian of Watertown is a rising star in state politics, and I've thought for some time that she was frankly too hot a property for the state house of representatives -- where she has risen to be first-division chair.

Had risen, I should say, because today Deval Patrick named Kaprelian the new registrar at the registry of motor vehicles.

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- out tomorrow, online now -- I write about the California Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage. I suggest that this is a much bigger development than people seem to think, judging by the relatively tame response. But this is not just a second state accepting gay marriage. It is quite possibly the turning point against unequal protection under the law on the basis of sexual orientation.