Mayor Mitchell Money Machine Cranking Hard [OPINION]

I have written previously about the tremendous fundraising machine that New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell has built. He is continuing to swell his war chest.

Most of the donors to Mayor Jon Mitchell's campaign have come from the city of New Bedford. Like many city mayors, he has strong financial support from the suburbs that neighbor his city. There are many people who have businesses or work in the city and while they live in the suburbs, they are committed to seeing the city prosper and they want to have a say in the direction of the regional hub.

Mayor Mitchell, who worked as a prosecutor in the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston, has fundraised in the capital city previously. This month's fundraising figures are coming in and Boston and Worcester have helped the Mitchell money machine steamroll forward.

There are interesting names on the latest contribution list for Mitchell, recently made public by the State Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Wayne Budd of Boston contributed the maximum $1,000 on June 24. Budd is listed as an attorney at the firm of Proctor Goodwin. He has an impressive resume in government and the private sector. His biography at his firm says "Mr. Budd had been Associate Attorney General of the United States, appointed to the position by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. He oversaw the Civil Rights, Environmental, Tax, Civil and Anti-Trust divisions at the Department of Justice, as well as the Bureau of Prisons. From 1989 to 1992, Mr. Budd was the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, serving as the state’s chief federal prosecutor and representing the federal government in all matters involving civil litigation. During this time, he was recognized for his efforts in combating drugs, street crime and gang violence. Mr. Budd has also served as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, appointed to that position by President Bill Clinton."

Larry Lucchino of the Boston Red Sox contributed $1,000 on June 24.

Superlawyer Bob Popeo of Boston joined Budd and Lucchino on June 24 with a check for $1,000. Mr. Popeo is a leader in the legal, corporate, and philanthropic worlds of New England and beyond. He is chairman of his law firm, Mintz, he has been called "a force of nature at the Bar."

Popeo recently as a leader in an effort by Boston business leaders to put pressure on Ireland not to boycott trade with Israeli settlements.

Stephen Tocco, a Weld administration alumni and now a lobbyist, donated $250. Tocco is the head of ML Strategies, which is the lobbying arm of Mintz Law. Numerous other lawyers from Mintz also donated to Mayor Mitchell's campaign fund, too.

Renowned Philanthropist Barbara Lee of Cambridge contributed $1,000 on June 24.

Former Lt. Governor of Massachusetts and current head of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce Timothy Murray contributed $250 to the Mitchell campaign on June 24. The former Democrat Lt. Governor was joined by numerous other Worcester residents, including others named Murray, to boost the war chest of the New Bedford mayor.

Mayor Jon Mitchell hasn't announced his plans for the future, but he is certainly acting like a man who will run for re-election this year.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.