New Governor? Who is Maura Healey?

With Charlie Baker resigning as the Massachusetts state governor, the seat had been up for debate during the governor races that occurred in early November. The two elected party representatives were Marua Healey, running for the seat as a Democrat, and Geoff Diehl running as the Republican party representative, and had been endorsed and backed by former president, Donald Trump.

Ultimately, Maura Healey was elected to be the new governor of Massachuesettes, with 63.5% of votes. Not only does she bring with her a party shift in office, but also new ideas, characteristics and priorities. So, who is Maura Healy?

Maura Healy was born in New Hampshire but moved to Massachusetts where she attended Harvard College as captain of the women’s basketball team. From Harvard, she played on a professional basketball team in Austria, before returning to the United States and attending Northeastern University School of Law for her graduate studies. From Northeastern, she continued on to work in the Attorney General Office of Massachusetts, where she became the first openly gay attorney general in the country.

On Healey’s official website, she lists her priorities as the new governor of Massachuesettes: She says she will focus her work on climate issues, disability rights, education, housing, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, economic stability and health and behavioral care, along with many other important topics.

One of the many issues that Healey talks about, is a widely controversial one in our country—reproductive rights. In her first gubernatorial debate, Maurua Healey opened her arguments by saying that,“Abortion is on the ballot for this race. I support and will defend and protect a woman’s access to abortion.” Healey was also endorsed by Planned Parenthood, and vowed to make sure abortion servies are legal and available in Massachuesettes. Other than Planned Parenthood, Healey was also endorsed by Elizabeth Warren, one of Massachusetts' senators.

Although November 8th was around the time Taylor Swift released tickets to her concerts, and most of us were occupied with the news surrounding that and were understandably preoccupied, it is important to make sure that we are staying up to date with those who are responsible for making decisions that impact our everyday lives, and to be informed about who is representing our state and our opinions.