NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Gov. Maura Healey acknowledged challenges and touted successes on Tuesday to a packed room at the former Johnson School on Tuesday.

 

Healey, standing with running mate Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Mayor Jennifer Macksey in front of a background "Team Healey Driscoll" logos, the governor spoke to housing, health care, education, energy, infrastructure, and public safety — declaring ICE had to "stay out" to loud applause. 

 

"You know, there's a lot of work ahead. There's a lot of challenge out there. There's a lot of work in communities here in the state and around this country," she said, recalling how she'd stood with Mayor Jennifer Macksey at a "massive sinkhole" in the days following the extreme rain in 2023. 

 

"I'll never forget that moment. And, you know, what can we do as a government to help and that's our job, actually, in government. DC doesn't understand but our job actually is to work together to deliver for people. That means working state and local, really tight. It means also working with our community leaders, our businesses, our not-for-profits, our schools, our hospitals and health-care systems."

 

Healey is running for a second four-year term as governor. On Tuesday, the Democrat released a list of mayors and legislative leaders backing her, including Macksey and Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti and the entire Berkshire state delegation.

 

The hall at what is now called the Residences at Amity Square was filled with former and current elected officials including city councilors, School Committee members, mayors, Select Board members from neighboring communities, as well as residents and educational, cultural and business leaders.

 

"The governor promised four years ago that she would not forget North Adams and not forget Western Mass, and she certainly hasn't," said Macksey in endorsing the governor. "She supported us through floods, she supported us through grants, and she is a trusted, trusted colleague in Boston who knows how to get to North Adams."