SAUGUS — The Saugus Democratic Town Committee held a “unity breakfast” for  Democratic Presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The tables were lined with blue tablecloths, strewn with miniature American flags, red white and blue tophats, and pearls; many notable state and local politicians seated at them. 

During the event, elected officials expressed their excitement for the presidential race.

“A leader is someone who delivers for the district and a leader makes an impact on the lives of the people in the community that serves,” Board of Health member Joseph Dorant said, introducing Crighton.

Crighton said the upcoming election cycle is  “probably the most crucial…of our lives.”

He added he was pleased to see the theme of the year’s breakfast was “strength and collaboration.”

Crighton highlighted recent initiatives which were accomplished in part due to policies passed in the Biden-Harris administration. He said for example, the installation of geothermal energy at Lynn’s new Pickering Middle School was made possible due to the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. 

“it was because of what the Biden-Harris administration was able to do,” Crighton said.

Lynn School Committee Member and Democratic Nominee for State Representative Sean Reid said there is a renewed energy among the public.

“There are so many volunteers that you can’t find things for them to do,” Reid said. “There is so much energy around this party, and it’s great that we have the same energy here today,” he added.

Board of Selectman Chairman Debra Panetta said that the turnout at the event was strong, and that the theme this year of “strength and collaboration” are values she has always stood for.

“It’s so important — teamwork, working together for the greater good,” Panetta said.

Democratic Nominee for Essex County Register of Deeds Eileen Duff said that she is a big fan of sports, and so she knows that “any given day, any team can win.”

“So, I am taking this race very seriously,” she said, adding that she will be allotting time to help other candidates in the area who may need support. 

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio said that for the 2024 Presidential election, “there is so much at stake.” “We cannot go backwards..we have to stay vigilant, we have to stay strong…we will go forward,” she said.

“I’m blue,” Driscoll said. “We’ve got to win blue,” he said.