Prime Massachusetts politicians and visitors gathered in a jam-packed union name in South Boston on Sunday morning for the annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, with a cacophony of singing, quips, and self-deprecating jabs from the brand new governor.
The breakfast, which was held on the Ironworkers Native 7 Corridor and hosted by Nick Collins, the state senator who represents South Boston, kicked off with a festive begin, that includes reside music and baskets of pastries. Some individuals sang alongside to Irish songs as they sat shoulder-to-shoulder and ate eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes. Others stood lining the perimeter of the room, packed into any open spot they might.
The venue was a lot “extra intimate” than the Boston Conference & Exhibition Middle, the place the occasion had been held in recent times, the emcee joked, as servers maneuvered round attendees dressed festively in shiny emerald, shamrock prints, and inexperienced boutonnieres. Senate President Karen Spilka had a lime-green streak in her hair.
They joined members of the state’s congressional delegation. the Legislature, and different notables who packed the stage, together with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Legal professional Normal Andrea Campbell, Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Suffolk District Legal professional Kevin Hayden, and members of the Boston Metropolis Council.
In her first look on the occasion as governor, Maura Healey opened the breakfast by joking concerning the recorded greeting at Logan Airport, a jab on the hiring disaster on the embattled MBTA.
“Right here’s what I actually needed to say: Welcome to Logan Airport. Do you need to run the T?” stated the governor, who has but to rent a common supervisor of the embattled MBTA.
She joked about being requested, “What does the lieutenant governor do?”
“Frankly, I’ve been questioning myself,” she stated, inviting Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll to the microphone.
Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Workers
Healey and Driscoll held up two jars stuffed with greenback payments, joking that audio system should pay up in the event that they reference the T or, in a self-aware joke, basketball. The 2, who had been school basketball gamers, closely referenced basketball in TV advertisements, fund-raising emails, and marketing campaign occasions through the gubernatorial election.
The town’s politics have shifted considerably since its energy brokers final gathered for the occasion.
In 2022, Healey was nonetheless considered one of a number of candidates for governor, and Wu had just lately been elected as mayor. Republican Charlie Baker was nonetheless within the nook workplace, and was the topic of jokes about his determination to not run for a 3rd time period.
At that breakfast, Spilka handed Baker a big inflated duck: “a lame duck.”
Baker, who now leads the NCAA as its president, was not in attendance at this yr’s breakfast.
Viewers can watch reside protection on Boston Neighborhood Community and WROL Irish Radio.
Samantha J. Gross may be reached at [email protected]. Comply with her on Twitter @samanthajgross.
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