Tom Hunt, a former School Committee member, said he’s heard the rumors but there’s always a lot of rumors in New Bedford politics.
“I know that the mayor enjoys his job as mayor very much,” Hunt said. “Having said that I think he would be an excellent candidate for any position in the federal government.”
Mitchell worked as a federal prosecutor prior to first being elected mayor in 2012, so Hunt said Mitchell would be particularly suited for a position in the Department of Justice.
Former City Assessor Peter Barney also sees a role in the Department of Justice as a possibility, suggesting Mitchell could be selected to take over Andrew Lelling’s position as U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts. Lelling was appointed by President Donald Trump.