Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll visit Plymouth, Fall River and New Bedford as Governor/Lieutenant Governor team

NEW BEDFORD – Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll made a campaign swing through Plymouth, Fall River and New Bedford on Thursday. The trip marked the duo’s first visits to the South Shore and South Coast since securing the Democratic nominations for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday night.

“Massachusetts is home to the greatest people, innovation, and know-how in the world,” said Healey. “So many of our communities are doing great work to grow our economy and make life better for folks – from building new transit-oriented housing, to providing students with real-world job training, to revitalizing our coastlines and supporting our offshore wind and fishing industries. This is the type of progress that Mayor Driscoll and I want to support so we can keep delivering results for the people of Massachusetts.”

“At a time when the cost of living has risen and too many working families are struggling to make ends meet, we need leadership that knows how to cut costs and deliver for people,” said Driscoll. “A Healey-Driscoll administration will expand opportunities for all residents to industries of growth like offshore wind, clean energy, and vocational careers in the trades and make our Commonwealth a more affordable place to live. As members of the get stuff done wing of government, we are ready to deliver on day one.”

The first stop was a tour of the Harborwalk Apartments, a housing development built under 40R that is located next to the closed Plymouth MBTA station, with State Senator Sue Moran. Healey has endorsed Senator Moran for re-election.

Healey and Driscoll outlined their commitment to increasing the housing stock, particularly around transit stops, and called attention to the ways in which the current state of public transportation in Massachusetts is holding back projects like Harborwalk from reaching their full potential. Plymouth Station has been closed since April 2021. Healey’s transportation plan calls for creating a regional rail system, with regular service throughout the day all over the state, and increased funding for public transportation.

The pair next traveled down to Durfee High School in Fall River where they had lunch at the Granite Grille, the restaurant run by culinary students in the school’s Career, Vocational and Technical Education program.

They ended the trip at the New Bedford Waterfront with Mayor Jon Mitchell and local officials, where they pointed to the importance of local, state and federal partnership to support the fishing industry and make Massachusetts a global leader in offshore wind.

“Lowering the cost of living and improving quality of life for South Shore residents has been central to my work in the Senate, and I’m so excited to have partners in the governor’s office next year that have those same priorities,” said State Senator Moran. “Attorney General Healey and Mayor Driscoll know that quality jobs, quality housing, and quality transit are all part of the same equation, and that access and affordability are key. I’m so glad to bring that message to Plymouth alongside them today and I’m looking forward to continuing to spread the word about our shared vision over the next 9 weeks.”

“I was pleased to welcome our next Governor Maura Healey and next Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll to Fall River today,” said Mayor Coogan. “Our community needs leaders on the state level who will help us expand vocational training in our schools. harness the economic power of our coastlines, and drive down costs. I know we can count on Maura and Kim to deliver.”

“New Bedford and all of Massachusetts are competing with states along the East Coast for offshore wind investment,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “Strong municipal-state partnerships are essential to winning this competition and ensuring the continued vitality of the fishing industry. The Healey-Driscoll Administration will be ready on day one to be that partner.”