BOSTON — Attorney General Maura Healey has made it official. After months of speculation, Healey has entered the race for Massachusetts governor.
Healey announced her bid before dawn Thursday with a campaign video painting the broad strokes of her platform-- including economic reform and climate change.
“I’ve stood with you as the people’s lawyer, and now I’m running to be your Governor,” Healey says in the video. “To bring us together and come back stronger than ever. And because too many have waited too long, together we’ll bring justice and equality to everyone.”
A lot of speculation has been swirling around Healey for several months and that talk only escalated after Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito announced they would not seek a third term.
Healey is entering the race with a significant amount of money in campaign war chest. She is a two-term attorney general.
The latest report from December had her with about $3.7 million in campaign cash.
Healey joins Harvard professor Danielle Allen and state Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz who have already announced they are running.
Chang-Díaz released a statement in response to Healey entering the race.
“I welcome the attorney general to the race. In this time of crisis, we need a robust conversation about how our government serves working families and meets our biggest challenges. Maura and I have differing records when it comes to priorities and governing, and I look forward to her joining the ongoing conversation we’re having with voters across Massachusetts,” said Chang-Díaz”
Allen also released a statement, saying “This election is about the urgent challenges we’re facing — from the pandemic, to the climate crisis, to racial injustice, to the strains on our democracy. Every single day, in every community in Massachusetts, people are struggling with the impacts of these challenges. So status quo is not an option. We need a fresh perspective that can see beyond the politics and start bringing us together to build solutions.”
Republican Geoff Diehl announced his bid for governor back in July 2021.
In a statement, Diehl said, “Over the past year, we have seen the sad results of failed Democratic leadership in Washington. Inflation is running rampant. Businesses are closing. Schools are under-serving students and parents are cut out of the process. Public safety is under assault. And most our nation stands profoundly divided. Maura Healey’s announcement signals the start of a race by Democrat candidates to double down on these failed policies right here in Massachusetts.”
Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has been mentioned as a potential candidate, but it’s unclear if Healey’s announcement could change that.
The state primary election is set for September, with the general election in November.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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