Joe Mathieu Talks To The Candidates: Martha Coakley

BOSTON (CBS) - WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Joe Mathieu sat down with Martha Coakley, the Democratic candidate for governor, in the WBZ mobile newsroom after a recent campaign stop in Chelsea.

They talked about the economy and the role casinos could play in Massachusetts, as well as other issues.

"I'm hopeful as we see this economy turn around a little bit that the next governor can help it turn around for everybody. That is our big challenge by the way, because people in Massachusetts, some people are doing very well. A lot of our corporations are back, Wall Street is back."

If casino law is repealed, Charlie Baker told WBZ plans should still go ahead for a casino in Springfield and slots parlor in Plainville.

"I do think Springfield is a different story than Boston (Wynn Resorts plan in Everett) and I've focused on that in developing a regional economic plan, that what we can do to turn this economy around is going to depend upon what particular investments in each part of the state of what people live there want," Coakley said.

"The voters of Springfield have voted for a casino. I have said, obviously, let's wait and see what happens with this decision, whether it's going to be repealed or not. But I think the idea that, particularly for Springfield, investing in that, if it makes sense, is a good place to keep that on the table, that that would work for Springfield, in a way it might not for other parts of the state, and I've said I'm open to considering that."

Mathieu also asked Coakley if she thought Baker really has a problem with women?

"I have focused, pretty much in the last year, on what I think is important to everybody in Massachusetts, including women, of course. I have fought for a long time against domestic violence, for education for all our kids, for parity in pay for women, for access to choice in birth control. I know what my message is to women and so, that's a question really for him."

The Coakley interview is part of a series of interviews Joe Mathieu and WBZ NewsRadio 1030 will be conducting with the candidates running for office in November.

Listen to Joe's interview with Coakley:

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