Governor Maura Healey and former Governor Charlie Baker have endorsed Mayor Tom Koch’s re-election in the November 7 election, calling his leadership pivotal to the progress Quincy has made and for its future.
In a letter, Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, cited the success of the city’s public schools, public safety, the transformation of the downtown and a “total renaissance” of Quincy’s parks and open spaces as highlights of a record built on relationships and keeping the City’s best interest always in mind.
“These things don’t happen by accident. It takes leadership. It takes someone who knows the streets of every neighborhood. It takes someone who cares deeply about their community. That’s the Tom Koch we know,” the letter stated. “We don’t agree with Tom on every issue, and that’s OK. We’ve worked with him on enough important issues – like protecting our seniors, improving transportation and rebuilding our infrastructure – that we know there aren’t many better than Tom when it comes to the core functions of local government.”
Added Governor Baker at a recent event with the Mayor’s volunteer team
“I think it would be impossible for anybody who spent any time following the last 16 years in Quincy to look at where Quincy was when he became mayor and where they are now and not believe that the city is so much better off today than it was then,” Baker said “In politics, especially local politics, it’s all about relationships and it’s all about your word. For years and years and years, Mayor Koch has demonstrated that those relationships matter to him, that his word matters to him, and that time and time again he’s been able to build the coalitions that are necessary to move the city forward and to make it better for everybody.”
Added former Lt. Governor Karyn Polito:
“If I could bottle up and put into a playbook on how to manage and lead a gateway city, I would have a playbook written by Tom Koch,” she said. “While it is an elected position, the actual job of Mayor isn’t political. The job requires a relentless leader who is focused on the well-being and the good of the community and it isn’t a political activist or someone that is thinking this might feel good for me. It’s what is best for the people of this community. And there is no one better than Tom Koch who has led with a focus on the people of this community. “
Koch thanked both administrations for their work on behalf of Quincy over the years:
“I am deeply grateful for the relationship and partnership with both the Healey and Baker administrations, and certainly grateful for the work they’ve done on our community’s behalf. Governor Baker is right – it is all about relationships, and I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to accomplish working with partners at all levels of government – regardless of their political stripes – to get important work done for our residents.”