Elected officials performed pointed musical numbers, landed barbed political jabs, and even did some jigs, all while the “Irish ginger ale” flowed at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Sunday in Southie.
The event was marked with its usual round of roasts aimed at Boston Democrats’ political foes and each other.
The host of the morning, State Sen. Nick Collins, walked — or rather high-stepped in — with a group of Irish step dancers, including his daughters all from the Woods School. He placed a bright orange cone as a “space saver” for a seat left empty by Mayor Michelle Wu. Wu declined an invitation, with her office saying in a statement that she would be at church during the event.
But Collins, who has been fighting with Wu over a tax bill on Beacon Hill saw it another way: “She found it just a little bit too taxing.”
Governor Maura Healey ended up taking her place.
“Politicians can be kind of infamous for pandering during the election years,” Healey said to the crowd. “I’m glad that Kim and I would never do that kind of thing.”
“Never,” Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll said, whipping out a Dunkin Donuts travel mug while Healey unzipped her jacket, revealing a, “Vote for me, I’m Irish” t-shirt.” Meanwhile, images of the running mates wearing Dunks sweatsuits to last year’s breakfast flashed in the background.
Healey took a moment to talk about Dunkin Donuts and how it could be impacted by Health and Human Service’s Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Make American Healthy Again” campaign to ban certain artificial ingredients.
She suggested the company start making a “Brainworm Cold Brew” flavor, just for the secretary.
“Preferably, you drink it while doing pull ups in jeans,” Driscoll said.
Despite the many jabs at the missing mayor and the Trump administration, the biggest political flashpoint of the event was the fight over the ballot-measure-approved audit of the Legislature.
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campell and state Auditor Diana DiZoglio were technically sitting at the same table — just at opposite ends. (State Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid offered ponchos to the attendees in the front row, “to be sure that you don’t get blood on your nice Sunday clothes,” from their fighting.)
The two have been wrapped up in a battle over DiZoglio’s suit to compel the state to complete an audit of the Legislature.
When it was Campbell’s turn to speak, she denied she was only there because it’s an election year.
“I’m like, are you kidding me?” she said. “I’m obviously here to hear the auditor’s angelic voice.”
DiZoglio, who is known to burst out into song on occasion, didn’t miss the opportunity on Sunday.
“Um, Nick, can I get that microphone?” she asked, when it was her turn at the podium.
“No,” Collins joked, getting one of the biggest laughs of the morning from the crowd. It was ultimately Governor Healey who got a working mic to the auditor.
To the tune of “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND,” DiZoglio belted out her own lyrics, asking the officials at the breakfast, “Where the hell is my audit? What’s been taking it so long?”
Nearing the end of the breakfast, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden summed up the event well: “I don’t know if I can indict anyone tomorrow for bad jokes.”
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