Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, Kim Driscoll, visits Holyoke.

On October 3, 2022, Salem Mayor, Kim Driscoll visited Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, as part of her campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.

Driscoll is visiting Latino communities across Massachusetts to lay out their plans for economic empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, and job training. During her stop in Holyoke, Driscoll met with Holyoke Mayor, Joshua García, State Rep. Pat Duffy, City Council president, Todd McGee, and ward 6 councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos; Holyoke Public Schools Superintendent, Anthony Soto; the Executive Director of the Greater Holyoke Chamber, Jordan Hart; local businesses owners, Priscilla Rivera (City Sports Bar), and Juan Montano (Fiesta Cafe); and with Sarah Meier-Zimbler and Matthew Mainville, from the Holyoke House Authority.

During the visit, officials discussed the importance of providing homeownership opportunities to the low-income communities in Holyoke. Also, the Salem Mayor got to listen the Housing Authority officials about the South Holyoke Homes project, and how the collaboration between the city, state, and different offices in the local government are making possible the rehabilitation of buildings and facilities, for the benefit of underserved communities. Likewise, Mayor García reiterated his support for Driscoll’s campaign, noting that someone with her experience as mayor has the ability to hold such a complex position as lieutenant governor, which requires working closely with mayors and municipal administrators.

Driscoll responded that Holyoke “has great potential and it will be up to us to have a strong partnership with all of you to make things possible.” “It’s never easy, even easy things aren’t easy, but I’m really optimistic about what we can do working together and I’m looking forward to all of this,” Driscoll said. The visit concluded with a tour of the interior of the new housing complex which is almost complete and the tenant selection applications are already in the process of being reviewed.