Coakley: Baker Should Answer Questions About Fishermen’s Story

Democratic Candidate for Governor Martha Coakley said Republican Candidate Charlie Baker should answer ``legitimate questions'' raised about a story Baker told during a recent debate.

During Tuesday's televised debate Baker tearfully recalled a meeting with a New Bedford fisherman who regretted pressuring his sons to follow him into the job rather than go to college. Attempts to identify the fishermen since then have been unsuccessful. Baker's staff now says the conversation happened in 2009 and it may have not been a New Bedford fishermen.

During a stop on Pier Three on Friday, Coakley said Baker needs to be more forthcoming about the episode.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said he knows no one who resembles Baker's description.

Baker has since said he might have gotten a detail or two wrong in his retelling, but the story stuck with him in part because he too is a father. The election is Tuesday.