(NECN: Alison King) – Speaking to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, mayoral candidate John Connolly told a packed room how better schools will affect all aspects of improving the city, including more jobs and a better economy.
“I know I hear people say all the time, I know, John Connolly, I like him, does he ever talk about anything other than schools,” he said. “Well, no, not really.”
He was followed by his opponent, Marty Walsh, who took the opportunity to tell business leaders the he is not -just- the union candidate.
“If that is all you know about me, you don’t know the whole story,” said Walsh. “I will do what it is in the best interest of the people of Boston. At times, that means saying no to my friends and telling them the hard truths.”
Both Connolly and Walsh made their pitches to the city’s business leaders, many of whom don’t live in Boston, but will have an impact on this race when it comes to influence and fundraising.
Does either candidate have a lock on the business community?
Connolly said he has strong support from business, and so does Walsh.
But even Walsh supporters say Connolly’s fundraising haul – just this last two weeks – an unprecedented $600,000 – is revealing.
“His average contribution was over $300,” said Warren Tolman. “That’s not the woman in Dudley Square or Allston-Brighton that are contributing. Those are some very wealthy, sophisticated business backers.”
Connolly supporter Carol Fulp says she’s not so sure the business community will vote in unison on this one.
“They’re going to get a mayor that’s going to work with them to move the city further,” said Fulp. “And I think that’s the most important issue for the business community.”
Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish, who is not publicly supporting a candidate, likes that both candidates say they will have a different management style from Menino.
“That’s a very, very important identification point, because if they go about it with their own unique ways, we’re going to see change in the city of Boston,” said Fish. “Change absolutely is, I think, great for the city going forward.”
Tags: Boston, massachusetts, Mayor Menino, Tom Menino, Alison King, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Marty Walsh, Warren Tolman, John Connolly, Carol Fulp