The day after winning the gubernatorial race, Governor-elect Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Kim Driscoll met with Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito to ensure a smooth transition of power when Healey takes office in January.
“We want to say congratulations. We know that running statewide is a huge commitment,” Baker said to his newly-elected successor before reporters at the State House early Wednesday afternoon.
“We’ve been planning for this transition for several months and we want to make the process as seamless as we can on our side,” Baker said.
Boston 25 was there when Governor-elect Maura Healey avoided the main entrance to the governor’s office for a meeting on the January transition of power. Governor Baker invited Healey and Lt Governor-elect Kim Driscoll in for the meeting. “They have already put the transition efforts into place and are incredibly collaborative,” said Healey.
Baker said the current and future administrations discussed topics including disaster preparedness efforts and the development of next year’s state budget.
“We are leaving the Commonwealth on very solid fiscal footing,” Baker said, adding that there is more than $8 billion in the state’s stabilization fund.
Boston 25 asked Healey what she wants to say to the people who did not vote for her. “I intend to be a governor who is a governor for everyone,” said Healey, “that starts with listening, it starts with understanding where people are at and understanding what they are feeling and work to find common solutions.”
When asked about how she will manage differently than Baker, she joked: “The microphones are going to be a little lower,” said Healey. She also explained there will be some similarities. “At the end of the day, it is going to be matter by matter issue by issue. There is a lot of things we have to take on, there is a lot of things we have to work on and tackle,” said Healey.
Healey, serving as the state’s attorney general since 2015, said the meeting with Baker and Polito was productive. She called the current governor and lieutenant governor “tremendous partners to me and to my office over the years.”
“I thank them for that,” she said.
Healey said she appreciates “the time and the thoughtfulness that the team are bringing to ensure a smooth transition.”
“We do have a lot of work ahead,” Healey said.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polity echoed her comments, saying there’s “a lot of work to do to successfully and smoothly transition the next team coming into these positions.”
As for her Driscoll, who will assume her role come January, “She will no doubt hit the ground running.”
Polito highlighted Healey’s work as attorney general on issues of sexual assault, violence and human trafficking.
She also praised Healey and Driscoll for being role models for younger girls who one day may look at entering politics or taking other influential career paths.
“Coming into this new position as governor and lieutenant governor, you clearly will have an impact on girls on this Commonwealth, as you have had an impact on mine,” Polito said.
In turning to Polito, Driscoll said the current lieutenant governor “has left very big shoes to fill. She’s been a key liaison to cities and towns. I want to thank you for that.”
When later asked by reporters if he has any advice for Healey, Baker said he urged her to connect with constituents as much as possible.
“I’m sure we’ll have lots of conversations but the one thing I’ve shared with the governor-elect and lieutenant governor-elect is to get out of the building and spend time with the people of Massachusetts,” Baker said. “I consider that to be the greatest gift that I’ve been given these last 8 years, and I’m sure the lieutenant governor feels the same way.”
The Governor is also inviting Healey and Driscoll to the winter planning meeting before winter moves in to help give them a head start on that since they will be taking off in January.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW