Healey Serves Up Sandwiches and High Praise for New Bedford at the Feast

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, the frontrunner to be the Commonwealth’s next governor, made a stop at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Saturday and was guided through Madeira Field by New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.

Healey and Mitchell walked the feast grounds and engaged with patrons and volunteers before both throwing on aprons to serve some of the feast’s signature cuisine in Barraca #10.

Joining Healey and Mitchell were State Representatives Bill Straus, Chris Markey, and Tony Cabral, as well as former Boston City Council President and current candidate for Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who Healey campaigned with in Boston earlier in the day.

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After serving up linguica and carne d'espeto sandwiches, Healey served up high praise for the people of New Bedford and Mitchell's job performance as mayor.

“I think what always strikes me down here is the sense of pride and community,” Healey told WBSM.

“Mayor Mitchell has done so much whether it’s improving the schools and contributing to the economic vibrancy of the area," she said. “It’s reflected in the spirit of the people today, and this is what makes the Commonwealth great, is places like New Bedford and the people of New Bedford and the SouthCoast.”

Healey and Mitchell have a famously amicable relationship, and she emphasized that as governor she would partner with Mitchell to steward greater opportunities for the people of the Whaling City.

“I admire Mayor Mitchell for his leadership and how he’s continued to move New Bedford forward," Healey said. "I think about what’s possible when you have a partner who’s there at the state level with resources and getting resources directly to our cities for what they need.”

Healey also committed to making an annual stop at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament if she’s elected to the corner office, just as Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito have done during their tenure.

“Its great to see [the feast] back and absolutely, if elected, I’ll be back every year,” Healey told WBSM. “And I’ll be back to New Bedford a lot.”