Gov. Maura Healey visited western Massachusetts twice the past several days to meet with community leaders, voters and various candidates for office.
On Saturday she visited Holyoke, then Springfield, where she made a stop at Las Kangris to meet with canvassers during lunch at the Puerto Rican restaurant.
She said every vote counts in the primary and in the general election.
"There's so much on the line right now and what's coming out of the Trump administration is just so harmful, to families, to people all across Massachusetts and to our economy," she said.
Healey has been critical of President Trump's policies on immigration, education, healthcare and other issues. The governor will not face a Democratic opponent in the primary, but two Republicans — Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve are vying for the Republican spot in the general election.
At the luncheon she met with families to discuss their concerns.
“We're finding ways to increase opportunity and also take care of people, you know, protect their rights, whether that's standing up to ICE or protecting abortion access,” said Healey. “You know, these are things that I'm going to continue to do as governor.”
Healey was also at Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi's annual community cookout yesterday.
Many attended the picnic including U.S. Representatives Seth Moulton and Richard Neal. Neal's opponents Jeromie Whalen, Nadia Milleron were also present.
Cocchi says he wants to give western Mass. residents a chance to hear from Beacon Hill lawmakers.
"This event is about bringing as many people together to decide who they want to vote for," he said. "Number one, meet the candidates, and then make your own collective decision on who you're going to put down for your very important vote in that ballot box and who you're going to support."
Cocchi says the all-day event brings about 2,000 people to the Elk's Lodge in Springfield each year.
At the event Healey touched on various issues faced by Massachusetts residents, in particular affordability.
Healey said she's striving to make expenses affordable amidst an economy experiencing inflation and soaring gas prices. This amidst a new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston saying over one-third of families in the state would be unable to cover a $400 emergency expense.
"We've got to continue to focus on making life more affordable for people because right now, people in Massachusetts, people around the country, they can't [afford] gas, rent, groceries, a dinner out, clothes for their kids back to school," she said. "And, and that's why every day I'm focused on how do we lower costs for people in Massachusetts?"
Healey blames the Trump administration's tariffs for driving inflation and cuts to health care resources as significant factors leading to every day expenses going up.