Driscoll Stumps for Heroux and Statewide Dems in New Bedford Visit

On Saturday, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, the Democratic nominee and frontrunner for Lieutnant Governor of Massachusetts, made a stop in New Bedford to energize fellow Democrats at a canvass kickoff at Buttonwood Park.

As the volunteers were getting their campaign literature and list of addresses to go door-to-door, Driscoll expressed gratitude to the crowd for their support for her and Attorney General and gubernatorial nominee Maura Healey's campaign.

"I'm really grateful to see everyone this morning," Driscoll said to the canvassers. "I feel so honored to be part of a ticket that I think brings a great deal of experience to this Commonwealth from different lenses."

Driscoll also lent words of enthusiasm and support for the campaign of Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux, who is locked into a hotly-contested race for Bristol County Sheriff against longtime Republican Sheriff Tom Hodgson.

"Paul, we are all rooting for you," Driscoll said. "We know what it's time for here and what it's time for in this county, and that's professionalism."

Get our free mobile app

"I think we recognize that the mayor has done a great job in Attleboro and we think that he brings the professional skills and the experience to be a good sheriff," Driscoll told WBSM. "We also understand that the current sheriff is really more of a MAGA Trump acolyte and wants to bring the sorts of policies that really divide people."

Both Healey and Driscoll have highlighted Sheriff Hodgson's friendly relationship with embattled former President Donald Trump as a reason for Bristol County voters to unseat the sheriff this fall.

"I'm proud to support Mayor Paul Heroux for Bristol County Sheriff because he has the criminal justice and government experience necessary to deliver results for his communities," Healey said in an official statement. "While his opponent, Sheriff Hodgson, has embraced the Trump playbook of hate, fear and division, Mayor Heroux will bring experienced, collaborative leadership to the Sheriff's office."

According to Heroux's internal polling, the race is currently a statistical tie. Though Hodgson has shrugged off both the poll and Healey's endorsement in a recent appearance on WBSM's SouthCoast Tonight, Heroux said his campaign is picking up steam at just the right moment in this election.

"It is a winnable race," Heroux said to the crowd on Saturday. "I've actually raised more money than Hodgson has this year by about $20,000 and I've received twice as many donations as Sheriff Hodgson. So the momentum is with our team."