Goldberg kicks off lieutenant governor campaign
DWith a pledge to "get Massachusetts moving again," Brookline resident Deborah Goldberg officially kicked off her run for lieutenant governor last week outside the building she hopes to soon occupy. Goldberg, who formerly chaired the Brookline Board of Selectmen and served on the board for six years, is one of four candidates who have announced their run for the seat currently occupied by Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, who is planning a run for governor. Goldberg's family founded Stop & Shop, a business she said taught her how to interact and motivate people.
"My parents taught me - it's about people," she said in front of a backdrop of supporters armed with red and white signs standing on the State House steps. Goldberg, who said she has raised more than $325,000 and kicked in some of her own cash for the race, criticized the Republican Party for being "disinterested and disengaged" in Massachusetts. "It's no wonder the population has dropped the last two years," she said, repeating a charge that is increasingly being lobbed at incumbents and vowing to focus on the "whole state."
Defending her candidacy, Healey said she is "extremely engaged" in Massachusetts, proven by her frequent visits with local officials. "I have visited literally every corner of this state," she said following an unrelated event. "I am completely engaged in the health and welfare of this commonwealth."
When asked by a reporter how voters can be sure she's tough enough to handle the lieutenant governor's job, Goldberg responded: "ask people who know me ... you don't have to be tough, you have to be solid."
In addition to campaign workers, her husband and children, Goldberg was joined by a handful of House members, including reps. Frank Smizik, Stephen Canessa, Ruth Balser, Deborah Blumer, John Scibak, Harriett Stanley and Thomas Stanley. Goldberg joins a race that already includes businesswoman Andrea Silbert, physician Sam Kelley and Worcester Mayor Tim Murray, who released a list last Thursday of 32 state legislators who are endorsing him.
This week, Reilly picked state Rep. Marie St. Fleur, a Boston Democrat, to be his running mate.
