Hubbry Logo
Maura HealeyMaura HealeyMain
Open search
Maura Healey
Community hub
Maura Healey
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Maura Healey
Maura Healey
Maura Healey
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Maura Tracy Healey (born February 8, 1971[1]) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 73rd governor of Massachusetts since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as Massachusetts Attorney General from 2015 to 2023 and was elected governor in 2022.

Key Information

Hired by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in 2007, Healey served as chief of the Civil Rights Division, where she led the state's challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. She was then appointed chief of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau and then chief of the Business and Labor Bureau, before resigning in 2013 to run for attorney general in 2014. She defeated former State Senator Warren Tolman in the Democratic primary and Republican attorney John Miller in the general election. Healey was reelected in 2018.[2] She was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2022.[3]

In 2014, Healey became the first openly lesbian woman elected attorney general of a U.S. state and the first openly LGBTQ person elected to statewide office in Massachusetts.[4] In 2022, she became one of the first two openly lesbian women and the joint-third openly LGBT person elected governor of a U.S. state, as well as the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts.[5][6]

Early life and education

[edit]

Born at the Bethesda Naval Hospital,[7] Healey grew up as the oldest of five brothers and sisters. When she was nine months old, her family moved to Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, where she was raised.[8] Her mother was a nurse at Lincoln Akerman School in Hampton Falls; her father was a captain in the United States Public Health Service and an engineer. After divorcing, her mother sold her wedding ring to pay for a backyard basketball court.[7] Healey's stepfather, Edward Beattie, taught history and coached girls' sports at Winnacunnet High School. Several of her grandparents and great-grandparents were born in Ireland.[9]

Healey attended Winnacunnet High School,[10] and majored in government at Harvard College, graduating cum laude in 1992. She was co-captain of the Harvard Crimson women's basketball team.[11] After graduation, Healey spent two years playing as a starting point guard for a professional basketball team in Austria, UBBC Wüstenrot Salzburg, now called BBU Salzburg.[12][13] Upon returning to the United States, she earned a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in 1998.[14]

Career

[edit]

Healey began her legal career by clerking for Judge A. David Mazzone of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, where she prepared monthly compliance reports on the cleanup of the Boston Harbor and assisted the judge with trials, hearings, and case conferences. Healey subsequently spent more than seven years at the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, where she worked as an associate and then junior partner and focused on commercial and securities litigation.[15]

She also served as a special assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, where she tried drug, assault, domestic violence, and motor vehicle cases in bench and jury sessions and argued bail hearings, motions to suppress, and probation violations and surrenders.[15]

Healey (right) and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley at a July 8, 2010, press conference on the Massachusetts v. U.S. Dep't of Health & Human Servs. lawsuit challenging the Defense of Marriage Act

Hired by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in 2007, Healey served as chief of the Civil Rights Division, where she spearheaded the state's challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. She led the winning arguments for Massachusetts in the country's first lawsuit striking down the law.[16]

In 2012, Healey was promoted to chief of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau.[17] She was then appointed chief of the Business and Labor Bureau.[18]

As a division chief and bureau head in the Attorney General's Office, Healey oversaw 250 lawyers and staff members and supervised the areas of consumer protection, fair labor, ratepayer advocacy, environmental protection, health care, insurance and financial services, civil rights, antitrust, Medicaid fraud, nonprofit organizations and charities, and business, technology, and economic development.[15][18]

During a Zoom conference call on June 3, 2020, before 300 members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Healey asked for a call to action from business leaders to work to end racial inequalities and systemic racism. She ended her speech by saying, "Yes, America is burning, but that's how forests grow."[19][20]

Attorney General of Massachusetts (2015–2023)

[edit]
Healey's official attorney general photo, 2015

Elections

[edit]

2014

[edit]
Main article: 2014 Massachusetts elections § Attorney general

In October 2013, Healey announced her candidacy for attorney general. Coakley was retiring from the office to run for governor. On September 9, 2014, Healey won the Democratic primary by 126,420 votes, defeating former State Senator Warren Tolman, 62.4% to 37.6%.[21]

Healey's campaign was endorsed by State Senators Stan Rosenberg, Dan Wolf, and Jamie Eldridge.[22] It was also endorsed by Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, and Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz.[23][24] Organizations that endorsed the campaign include the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, MassEquality, the Victory Fund, and EMILY's List.[25][26][27][28] Healey wrote an op-ed in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette on upholding the Massachusetts buffer zone law, which she worked on at the Attorney General's Office.[14] She also authored an op-ed in The Boston Globe outlining her plan to combat student loan predators.[29][30][31]

Healey defeated Republican nominee John Miller, an attorney, in the general election, 62.5% to 37.5%. Upon taking office, she became the United States' first openly lesbian state attorney general.[32][33]

2018

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Massachusetts elections § Attorney general

On November 6, 2018, Healey was reelected Massachusetts Attorney General, defeating Republican nominee James McMahon with 69.9% of the vote.[2]

Tenure

[edit]
Healey (far right) in 2016 with (left to right): State Senator Karen Spilka, State Rep. Ken Gordon, U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, and State Rep. John Scibak

Healey's plan to reduce gun violence addresses what she perceives as its root causes. The program includes enhancing the background check system to include information regarding recent restraining orders, pending indictments, and any relations to domestic violence, parole, and probation information. The plan also seeks to track better stolen and missing guns. Healey advocates fingerprint trigger locks and firearm micro-stamping on all guns sold in Massachusetts.[34][35]

Healey's plan for criminal justice reform includes ending mandatory sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and focusing on treatment rather than incarceration.[36]

Healey plans to combat prescription drug abuse and Massachusetts's heroin epidemic by implementing a "lock-in" program. The program will be carried out in pharmacies to identify and track prescription drug abusers and distributors. Her plan includes deployment of new resources to drug trafficking hotspots, improvement of treatment accessibility, and expanding access to Narcan.[37]

Abortion

[edit]

Healey's women's rights platform focuses on sex education, expanding access to abortion services in Massachusetts, and ensuring that every woman in Massachusetts has access to abortion, regardless of where she lives, her occupation, or her income.[38]

Gun control

[edit]

On July 20, 2016, Healey announced her intention to ban the manufacturing of most assault rifles in Massachusetts.[39] In 2021, as a result of this and other "arbitrary and damaging legislation",[40] Smith & Wesson announced plans to relocate its headquarters and much of its manufacturing from Massachusetts to Tennessee. The new factory opened in Maryville in 2023.[41]

Trump administration

[edit]

On January 31, 2017, Healey announced that her office was joining a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769,[42][43] commonly known as a "Muslim ban."[44][45] Healey condemned the order as "motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia, not by a desire to further national security."[42] A federal court eventually struck the order down on similar grounds.[46]

On March 9, 2017, Healey announced that her office was joining a lawsuit challenging Trump's Executive Order 13780.[47][48] She said the new order, a revised version of the one that had been struck down, "remains a discriminatory and unconstitutional attempt to make good on [Trump's] campaign promise to implement a Muslim ban."[47] The order has been blocked in various federal courts on similar grounds.[48][49]

On May 11, 2017, after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Healey led efforts calling for a special counsel to investigate Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Her office sent a letter to that effect, signed by 20 Attorneys General across the nation, to Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.[50] On May 17, Rosenstein appointed a special counsel, former FBI director Robert Mueller.[51]

Purdue Pharma

[edit]

In 2021, Healey announced a resolution against the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma. The resolution requires a payment of more than $4.3 billion for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts in communities across the country. It will also require Purdue Pharma to be wound down or sold by 2024 and ensure that the Sacklers are banned from the opioid business and are required to turn over control of family foundations to an independent trustee to be used to address the opioid epidemic.[52]

Governor of Massachusetts (2023–present)

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

2022

[edit]
Main article: 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Final results by county
Final results by county in 2022:
  Maura Healey
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%

On January 20, 2022, Healey announced her candidacy in the 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial election.[53] Her announcement came after the incumbent governor, Charlie Baker, a Republican, announced he would not seek reelection.[54] On September 6, Healey won the Democratic primary election. She defeated Sonia Chang-Díaz, who withdrew from the primary.[55] Healey was endorsed by Vice President Kamala Harris[56] and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.[57]

On November 8, 2022, Healey defeated Republican nominee Geoff Diehl, receiving 64% of the vote in the general election to Diehl's 35%. This made her the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts and one of the first two openly lesbian governors in the U.S., along with Tina Kotek of Oregon, who was also elected in 2022.[58][59][60] She was inaugurated on January 5, 2023.[61]

2026

[edit]

In February 2025, Healey announced during an interview her intention to run for reelection in 2026.[62][60]

Tenure

[edit]
Healey taking oath as governor
Healey speaking with former governor Michael Dukakis at her 2024 State of the Commonwealth address

The day after being sworn in, Healey signed an Executive Order establishing the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience and creating a cabinet-level position of Climate Chief to head the office. According to Healey, the office will be tasked with working with state and local leaders to help the Commonwealth reach its climate goals and help coordinate the efforts. The Climate Chief will also be the governor's primary advisor on climate issues. Healey appointed Melissa Hoffer to the role.[63][64]

In February 2023, the Healey administration announced a $742 million tax cut package to be filed, as an addition to its proposed fiscal year 2024 budget. Among the proposals included was an increase in the child and family tax credit from $240 to $600 per child or dependent. The plans would also increase the rental deduction cap from 50% of rent up to $3,000 to 50% of $4,000. Under the proposal, the state's short-term capital gains tax would be reduced from 12% to 5% and the estate tax threshold would be raised from $1 million to $3 million.[65][66] The state legislature passed a scaled-back version of this proposal that increased the child and dependent tax credit to $310 for the 2023 tax year and $440 for the following years. The short-term capital gains tax was reduced to 8.5%, and the estate tax was eliminated for all estates under $2 million. Healey signed these changes into law on October 4, 2023.[67]

At a news conference held at Bunker Hill Community College in March 2023, Healey announced a $20 million appropriation to her 2024 fiscal year state budget proposal to create a free community college program, "MassReconnect", for Massachusetts residents 25 or older with a secondary school degree or post-secondary course credits, to address the skills gap in the state workforce.[68][69] The state legislature approved the plan, as part of the 2024 fiscal year state budget, which Healey signed into law in August.[70][71] In May 2023, Healey's administration announced $24.4 million in job creation tax incentives for 43 life sciences companies in the state to create 1,600 jobs.[72]

In August 2023, Healey declared a state of emergency due to an increase in migrants seeking shelter in the state. Massachusetts is the only U.S. state that must provide emergency housing to families who qualify. At the time of the emergency declaration, the shelter system was housing over 20,000 people.[73][74] Healey set a limit of 7,500 on the number of families that could be housed in the state's emergency shelter system. The state exceeded this limit in November 2023. On November 9, Healey announced that families would be placed on a waiting list and would enter the shelter system as housing units became available.[75] In December, she signed a $3.1 billion supplemental budget bill that added another $250 million in funding for the state's shelter system and created an overflow location for migrants who were unable to enter the state's shelter system. Later that month, the administration designated five locations as overflow sites.[76][77] On April 30, 2024, Healey signed a bill that directed another $251 million into the shelter system for the rest of fiscal year 2024 and limited how long families can stay in the shelter system to nine months.[78]

In February 2024, Healey nominated her former romantic partner, appellate court judge Gabrielle Wolohojian, to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Facing criticism for this decision, especially from Massachusetts Republican Party chair Amy Carnevale, who called on her to withdraw the nomination, Healey defended the choice. "I don't want the fact that she had a personal relationship with me to deprive the commonwealth of a person who's most qualified for the position", she told reporters.[79][80] The Governor's Council approved the nomination on February 28 and Wolohojian was sworn in on April 22.[81][82]

On October 29, 2025, Healey fired her Western Massachusetts Deputy Director, LaMar Cook, after he was charged with both cocaine trafficking and gun-related charges.[83]

Political views

[edit]

Healey is regarded as a liberal.[84][85] In her early career, she was called a "progressive prosecutor",[86] but some progressives criticized her as insufficiently supportive of law enforcement reform.[87] During her 2022 campaign for governor, Healey was characterized as staking out somewhat moderate positions on several issues.[86] As governor, she has taken several moderate and centrist positions on policy.[88][89] She is regarded as more moderate (less progressive and less liberal) than some other leading Massachusetts Democratic politicians, such as Elizabeth Warren[90] and Michelle Wu.[86][89] In a 2024 interview, Healey called herself a "pro-growth Democrat" on economic matters, citing her support of tax cuts for the middle class.[91]

Personal life

[edit]
Healey with her partner, Joanna Lydgate (left), in 2023

In July 2022, Healey moved from Boston to Cambridge, Massachusetts.[92] She plays basketball recreationally.[93][94][95][96] On January 9, 2023, shortly after being inaugurated as governor, Healey announced that she is in a relationship with attorney Joanna Lydgate, her former chief deputy. She clarified that their relationship did not begin until Lydgate had departed the role to co-found the States United Democracy Center, a voting rights advocacy organization.[97]

Healey is Catholic.[98][99]

Electoral history

[edit]
Governor Healey taking questions at the Boston Public Library in 2023.

Attorney General of Massachusetts

[edit]
2014 Massachusetts Attorney General Democratic primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maura Healey 322,380 62.1
Democratic Warren Tolman 195,654 37.7
Write-in 721 0.1
Total votes 518,755 100.0
2014 Massachusetts Attorney General election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maura Healey 1,280,513 61.7
Republican John Miller 793,821 38.2
Write-in 1,885 0.1
Total votes 2,076,219 100.0
2018 Massachusetts Attorney General election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maura Healey 1,874,209 69.9
Republican Jay McMahon III 804,832 30.0
Write-in 1,858 0.1
Total votes 2,680,899 100.0

Governor of Massachusetts

[edit]
Massachusetts gubernatorial Democratic primary election, 2022[100]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maura Healey 642,092 85.3
Democratic Sonia Chang-Diaz 108,574 14.4
Write-in 1,972 0.3
Total votes 777,226 100.0
Massachusetts gubernatorial general election, 2022[101]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Maura Healey 1,584,403 63.7% +30.6%
Republican Geoff Diehl 859,343 34.6% −32%
Libertarian Kevin Reed 39,205 1.6% +1.6%
Turnout 2,508,298 100%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Maura Healey

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Maura Tracy Healey (born February 8, 1971) is an American attorney and politician who has served as the since January 5, 2023. A Democrat, she previously held the office of from 2015 to 2023, becoming the first openly in U.S. history. Before her elected roles, Healey earned an A.B. from in 1992, where she captained the team, and a J.D. from in 1998; she also played professional in . Healey's tenure as attorney general focused on consumer protection, civil rights enforcement, and initiatives, including leading the first lawsuit against and the for their role in the opioid crisis and pursuing actions to reduce . Elected in 2022, she defeated Republican Geoff Diehl with 63.7% of the vote, marking the first time a and openly individual won the office in . Her administration has prioritized affordability, economic competitiveness, and equity, with early actions including signing a $389 million supplemental and legislation expanding substance use disorder treatment access. As , Healey has faced legal challenges in her prior role, such as ExxonMobil's petition against her investigation into the company's disclosures, reflecting tensions between state enforcement and corporate interests.

Early life and education

Family and upbringing

Maura Healey was born on February 8, 1971, at Bethesda Naval Hospital in , while her father served as a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service. Her family relocated to , when she was nine months old, where she grew up as the eldest of five siblings—Terence, Jeremy, Caitlin, and Tara—in a farmhouse constructed in 1753. Healey's paternal grandparents were born in Ireland, contributing to the family's Irish Catholic heritage, while her maternal great-grandparents originated from . Her father, Jerome J. Healey, worked as a after his service and died in 2006; her mother, Tracy Healey, served as a school nurse at the local Lincoln Akerman School. The couple divorced when Healey was 10 years old, after which her mother raised the children as a before remarrying a high school history teacher and coach. This period instilled values of resilience and responsibility, with Healey often assuming a leadership role among her siblings amid the demands of a large household. Healey's early environment emphasized discipline through her mother's career and community involvement, alongside her father's engineering background and prior federal service, fostering an appreciation for public duty and structured achievement in a modest, rural setting. The family's dynamics, marked by parental separation and maternal self-reliance, shaped her formative experiences without reliance on extended familial wealth or urban privileges.

Academic and athletic achievements

Healey earned a degree in government from in 1992. During her time at Harvard, she served as co-captain of the Crimson women's basketball team, competing at the Division I level and demonstrating leadership in athletics. She had developed her basketball skills through participation in three sports during high school, with basketball as her primary focus, which facilitated her recruitment to Harvard. Following her undergraduate graduation, Healey pursued professional , playing as a 5'4" starting for two years on a team in . This period extended her athletic career while bridging to , reflecting disciplined commitment honed through competitive . Healey subsequently attended , where she earned a in 1998. After completing her legal studies, she undertook a federal judicial clerkship with Judge A. David Mazzone of the for the District of , an early merit-based role underscoring her academic preparation in law. Healey commenced her legal career as a to A. David Mazzone of the for the District of from 1998 to 1999. In this role, she gained foundational experience in federal judicial proceedings, assisting with case management and legal research in a court handling civil and criminal matters. Following her clerkship, Healey joined Hale and Dorr (later WilmerHale) as an associate in 1999, remaining with the firm until 2007 as a litigator focused on business and commercial disputes. She handled corporate litigation, representing clients in high-stakes cases, which honed her skills in complex evidentiary arguments, discovery processes, and strategy within a major Boston-based practice known for its emphasis on rigorous appellate and transactional work. Healey then served as a special assistant in Middlesex County from approximately 2006 to 2007, prosecuting cases involving drug offenses, assaults, , and motor vehicle violations. This position provided her initial courtroom prosecutorial experience, involving direct examination of witnesses, cross-examinations, and trials in a covering urban and suburban areas around , thereby developing her acumen in criminal advocacy and victim support protocols.

Rise in state government

In 2004, Maura Healey joined the Office of the as an assistant , initially assigned to the and Antitrust Bureaus under Attorney General Thomas Reilly. Her work focused on enforcing state laws against unfair business practices and monopolistic behaviors, contributing to ongoing multistate efforts to monitor compliance with federal antitrust remedies from major corporate settlements. Following Reilly's departure in 2007, Healey advanced under successor , assuming leadership roles that included chief of the Civil Rights Division, where she oversaw investigations into and hate crimes, and later chief of the Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (also referred to as the Business and Labor Protection Unit in some accounts). These positions involved directing teams handling consumer complaints, labor violations, and public protection initiatives, emphasizing proactive litigation to safeguard vulnerable populations from deceptive practices and market abuses. Healey's tenure in these roles established her as a tenacious enforcer within the office, known for prioritizing high-impact cases that challenged corporate misconduct and advanced public interests, which cultivated internal support and visibility ahead of her 2013 announcement for the attorney general position. This bureaucratic ascent, spanning over a decade of specialized assignments, positioned her as a continuity candidate capable of leading the office's aggressive regulatory approach.

Attorney General of Massachusetts (2015–2023)

Elections and political rise

In the special election for , following incumbent Martha Coakley's resignation to run for , Healey secured the Democratic nomination by defeating former state representative Warren Tolman with 62.1% of the vote to Tolman's 37.7%. In the general election on November 4, , she defeated Republican attorney John B. Miller, receiving 1,280,513 votes (61.7%) to Miller's 793,821 (38.2%), marking the first time an openly candidate won election to statewide office in . Healey's victory reflected the state's strong Democratic lean, where registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans by more than 3-to-1 at the time, providing a structural advantage in a low-turnout midterm cycle despite Miller's emphasis on Healey's relative inexperience in electoral . Healey ran unopposed in the 2018 Democratic primary and won re-election decisively against Republican James R. McMahon III, capturing approximately 69.9% of the vote to McMahon's 30.0% in the . This wider margin stemmed from incumbency benefits, including from her prior term and substantial that exceeded $4 million, outpacing McMahon's resources amid ' entrenched Democratic in and statewide contests. The outcome underscored the challenges for Republican candidates in prosecuting races in a state where Democrats have held the office continuously since 1953, bolstered by urban voter concentrations in and surrounding areas that reliably deliver lopsided margins.

Key enforcement actions

As , Maura Healey played a leading role in negotiating a $4.3 billion settlement with and the in July 2021, resolving claims that the company and its owners fueled the crisis through deceptive marketing of OxyContin and other practices. Healey emphasized for the Sackler family's personal liability, rejecting earlier proposals tied to ongoing OxyContin sales, which secured an estimated $90 million for dedicated to abatement, treatment, and recovery programs. Healey initiated and joined multistate antitrust lawsuits against generic drug manufacturers accused of conspiring to fix prices, allocate markets, and delay competition, starting with a 2016 suit against six companies including and for manipulating prices on drugs like and pravastatin. These efforts yielded settlements recovering millions for the state, such as $5.2 million in 2016 from for pay-for-delay tactics blocking generic entry for a prostate cancer drug, and $6.65 million in 2021 from for false marketing of Suboxone that hindered generics. By 2020, she co-led additional suits against 26 firms and executives, seeking damages and injunctive relief to restore market competition. In enforcement, Healey secured nearly $9 million in refunds for consumers from 2016 e-book price-fixing settlements with publishers like Apple and , part of a national $400 million resolution for collusive pricing that inflated digital book costs. Her office also pursued recoveries in related cases, including $4 million in 2019 from debt buyer Portfolio Recovery Associates for abusive collection practices violating state consumer laws.

Social and regulatory policies

During her tenure as , Maura Healey prioritized expanding access to services following the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision on June 24, 2022, which overturned . Massachusetts law already permitted abortions up to viability, and Healey's office defended state protections against potential challenges, emphasizing enforcement of existing reproductive health safeguards. On July 6, 2022, she issued a consumer advisory cautioning patients about crisis pregnancy centers, describing their practices as potentially deceptive and coercive, including misleading claims about offering comprehensive reproductive services while primarily providing counseling to discourage . This advisory aimed to inform individuals seeking care amid increased out-of-state travel post-Dobbs, though it drew criticism from pro-life groups for targeting centers without evidence of widespread fraud in courts. No direct lawsuits against such centers were filed by her office during this period, but the guidance aligned with broader efforts to regulate in reproductive health services under statutes. Healey aggressively enforced Massachusetts' assault weapons ban, enacted in 1998, through interpretive guidance issued on July 20, 2016, which prohibited the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles deemed "copies or duplicates" of banned models like the AR-15 and , even if previously compliant with federal standards. This action closed perceived loopholes by classifying firearms with similar features—such as pistol grips and folding stocks—as illegal, leading to cease-and-desist orders against manufacturers and retailers; a federal judge upheld the enforcement in July 2018, ruling it consistent with state law and not violative of the Second Amendment. During Healey's AG tenure from 2015 to 2023, Massachusetts rates declined overall, from 393.9 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015 to 306.5 in 2019 per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, with no evident spike attributable to the 2016 guidance. Critics, including gun rights advocates, argued the measure exceeded statutory authority without demonstrable public safety gains, as the state's low baseline rate—among the nation's lowest—predated the enforcement and continued amid national trends influenced by factors like policing changes post-2020. In , Healey targeted and vaping industries to curb youth access to flavored products. Her office sued Labs in 2019, alleging the company fueled a vaping epidemic through deceptive marketing to minors, resulting in a $438.5 million multistate settlement in 2022 that included $50 million allocated to for cessation programs. She also pursued enforcement of the 2019 state ban on sales, filing suits against eight online e-cigarette retailers in December 2019 for illegal shipments to minors and violations of age-verification requirements, securing injunctions and penalties. Additional actions included a 2021 $50.9 million settlement with Eonsmoke for targeting youth with flavored disposables, funding initiatives. These efforts correlated with a reported drop in high school vaping rates from 26% in 2018 to 12% by 2021 per state youth health surveys, though national declines occurred concurrently due to federal FDA restrictions.

Opposition to federal administration

As , Maura Healey participated in numerous multistate lawsuits challenging policies of the Trump administration, joining at least 43 such actions by mid-2019 and nearly 100 overall by the end of her tenure, with her office prevailing in approximately 77% of decided cases. Healey joined Washington's lawsuit against the revised travel ban under in March 2017, arguing it violated constitutional protections and federal immigration law; initial versions of the ban faced nationwide injunctions from federal courts, though a third iteration was ultimately upheld by the in (2018) on grounds. In September 2017, she co-led a suit with 14 other states to block the rescission of (DACA), contending it was arbitrary and violated equal protection; the later ruled the termination process unlawful in Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the (2020), preserving the program temporarily. Healey also challenged efforts to repeal the (ACA), joining Democratic attorneys general in defending its constitutionality amid congressional and administrative attempts to dismantle it post-2017 tax reform, which eliminated the ; federal courts blocked key repeal components, though the ACA's penalty was reduced to zero, shifting enforcement dynamics without fully invalidating the law. On environmental rollbacks, her office filed or joined over 50 suits by 2021, targeting deregulations of standards and Act revisions, with outcomes varying—some injunctions succeeded in lower courts, but others were reversed on appeal amid disputes over administrative procedure and . These actions aligned ' sanctuary state policies—enacted via state laws limiting local cooperation with federal —with opposition to federal initiatives like expanded detainers, positioning Healey as a defender of state sovereignty against perceived overreach, though critics argued such suits represented partisan litigation exceeding traditional AG roles and risked federal-state . Empirical divergences were evident in data: during the Trump era, reported lower compliance with federal detainer requests compared to non-sanctuary states, correlating with Healey's legal stances that prioritized state priorities over federal removals.

Criticisms of overreach and selectivity

In July 2016, as , Maura Healey issued an enforcement notice asserting that certain semi-automatic firearms marketed as compliant with the state's 1998 assault weapons ban were actually prohibited "copycat" weapons, prompting retailers to cease sales and triggering a surge in gun purchases. This action drew immediate legal challenges from the (NSSF), representing firearms manufacturers and dealers, which filed suit claiming Healey exceeded her authority by unilaterally interpreting and expanding statutory language without legislative input, rendering the notice unconstitutionally vague and an unconstitutional ban on legally manufactured products. Federal courts partially upheld challenges, denying Healey's motion to dismiss in 2018 and highlighting the notice's overreach beyond clear statutory bounds. Critics, including gun industry groups and conservative policy analysts, accused Healey of driven by ideological opposition to the firearms sector, portraying the notice as a politically motivated on Second Amendment-protected commerce rather than neutral application of laws. Manufacturers such as and Glock Inc. countersued, arguing the enforcement bypassed and targeted their marketing practices unfairly, while ignoring that ' strict licensing already restricted legal ownership to vetted individuals. Such suits, they contended, imposed fiscal burdens on an industry through compliance costs and lost , with the state's framework applied asymmetrically to firearms but not equivalently to other products linked to urban violence, where illegal trafficking persisted despite bans. Healey's broader pattern of high-profile litigation against gun manufacturers, including a 2022 multi-state push to hold them accountable under consumer laws for dealer practices, amplified claims of selectivity, as resources focused on upstream industry accountability amid ongoing street-level gun crimes in cities like Boston, where enforcement emphasized restrictions on legal owners over interdiction of smuggled illicit weapons. These critiques, voiced by industry advocates, posited that such prioritization reflected a causal disconnect, prioritizing symbolic corporate suits over empirical drivers of localized violence, though Healey's office maintained the actions addressed knowing facilitation of illegal sales.

2022 Gubernatorial campaign

Primary and general election dynamics

In the Democratic primary for held on , 2022, Maura Healey secured 85.3% of the vote against Sonia Chang-Díaz's 14.4%, with approximately 510,000 total votes cast. Healey's dominant performance stemmed from early endorsements by leaders, including U.S. Senators and , as well as support from labor unions and the state Democratic convention in June 2022, which positioned her as the establishment favorite and deterred broader challengers. Chang-Díaz's progressive campaign emphasized critiques of Healey's corporate ties and record but failed to mobilize sufficient turnout among left-leaning voters, reflecting intra-party dynamics favoring Healey's pragmatic appeal in a state with entrenched Democratic infrastructure. In the general election on November 8, 2022, Healey defeated Republican Geoff , a former state representative endorsed by former President , with 63.7% of the vote (1,584,403 votes) to Diehl's 34.6% (863,313 votes), while Libertarian Frank H. Reed garnered 1.6%. Healey's margin exceeded 29 percentage points, the largest for a non-incumbent challenger in gubernatorial history, driven by overwhelming support in urban Democratic strongholds like Suffolk County ( area, 82% for Healey) and County (70%), where turnout reached 65-70% in key precincts. Diehl performed better in rural and suburban areas like Plymouth and Worcester Counties (40-45% share), but low Republican turnout—statewide voter participation hovered at 58.5% of 4.44 million registered voters, below 2018 levels—limited his gains amid 's 7-to-1 Democratic registration edge. Strategic factors included Healey's dominance, raising over $12 million through mid- compared to Diehl's $2.5 million, enabling a $10 million-plus ad blitz targeting achievements and economic competence. Demographic breakdowns showed Healey capturing 90%+ of urban and minority voters, per exit polls, while independents (52% of electorate) favored her 2-to-1 over Diehl's Trump association, underscoring policy-driven voter priorities like housing affordability over partisan identity in a midterm cycle with national Republican headwinds. This outcome marked Massachusetts's first gubernatorial win by a and openly candidate, though empirical data points to Healey's broad appeal across moderates and progressives as the causal driver rather than symbolic factors alone.

Policy platform and endorsements

Healey's gubernatorial platform prioritized affordability and economic competitiveness, with specific pledges to address shortages by streamlining permitting, boosting production and preservation of affordable units, and creating a cabinet-level Secretary of position. On , she committed to fully implementing the 2019 Student Opportunity Act through increased funding to close achievement gaps, alongside investments in school facilities, behavioral health supports, and recruiting diverse educators. featured prominently, as Healey vowed to pursue the "most aggressive" agenda in the nation, targeting net-zero emissions via expanded offshore wind capacity to 10,000 megawatts by 2035, electrification of transportation and buildings, and installation of one million heat pumps by 2030. Economic equity initiatives included universal childcare, workforce training programs, and fostering clean energy jobs to create equitable growth opportunities. Regarding public safety and health crises, Healey emphasized continuity from her tenure, pledging to advance reforms like the 2020 police accountability law while prioritizing prevention through housing stability and investments to reduce crime; on opioids, she promised expanded recovery services tailored to Black and Latino communities, multidisciplinary crisis response teams, and broader behavioral health access. The campaign garnered endorsements from labor unions such as the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which praised her education and worker protections stance in June 2022, and progressive figures including U.S. Senators and . Democratic congressional members like and the Democratic Attorneys General Association also supported her, highlighting her enforcement record. Business leaders in sectors like biotech and clean energy provided backing for her growth-oriented policies. Conservatives, including Republican opponent Geoff Diehl's campaign, critiqued the platform's expansive spending commitments as risking tax hikes on residents and businesses to sustain social programs.

Governorship (2023–present)

Inauguration and initial priorities

Maura Healey was sworn in as the 73rd governor of Massachusetts on January 5, 2023, at the State House in Boston, becoming the first openly lesbian governor in the United States and the first woman elected to the office. Alongside her, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll took the oath, marking the first time both top executive positions were held by women in the state's history. The inauguration ceremony highlighted Healey's transition from attorney general, with an emphasis on addressing immediate state challenges including housing shortages and climate resilience. On her first full day in office, January 6, 2023, Healey issued her initial executive order, establishing a cabinet-level climate chief position within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to coordinate efforts on environmental policy and resilience. This action underscored early priorities outlined in her inaugural address, which focused on bolstering housing affordability, advancing clean energy investments, and reforming the emergency shelter system amid rising demand from migrant families straining capacity. Healey inherited a robust fiscal position from the prior administration, with Massachusetts concluding fiscal year 2022 with a significant surplus that enabled proposals for targeted investments rather than structural deficits. Healey's initial framework, filed in late 2023, proposed leveraging the inherited fiscal strength for one-time taxpayer rebates and relief measures, including up to $250 per resident from surplus revenues, while prioritizing workforce development and without raising taxes. These steps addressed transitional pressures, such as the overburdened shelter system, where early administrative reviews identified the need for reforms to manage influxes exceeding 7,000 families by mid-2023, setting the stage for subsequent emergency declarations. The administration also committed to hiring additional MBTA personnel to improve public transit reliability as part of broader economic competitiveness goals.

Economic development and biotech initiatives

In June 2025, Governor Maura Healey was named the Biotechnology Innovation Organization's (BIO) Governor of the Year for her administration's support of the life sciences sector, including the passage of the Mass Leads Act, which allocated $1 billion in state funding over the next decade to bolster biotech infrastructure, workforce development, and research initiatives. The legislation, signed into law in November 2024, reauthorized and expanded the state's Life Sciences Initiative, providing enhanced tax incentives through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) to attract and retain biotech firms. Healey's administration has issued multiple rounds of life sciences tax credits under this framework, aiming to spur job creation in high-tech industries. In June 2025, $29.9 million in incentives were awarded to 33 companies, projected to generate 1,519 new positions across , , and clinical development roles. Subsequent awards in September and October 2025 added over $22 million more, targeting 1,045 jobs in areas like and therapeutics, with recipients including firms expanding operations in Worcester and . These efforts build on ' established biotech cluster, which employs over 100,000 workers, though some credits have been clawed back from non-compliant firms, reflecting enforcement of job creation commitments. Broader economic development under Healey includes the July 2025 launch of the DRIVE initiative, proposing $400 million in state investments to retain talent and expand research facilities, with a focus on leveraging private partnerships for innovation-driven employment. In October 2023, she signed a $1 billion tax relief package—the state's first major cuts in over two decades—incorporating business-friendly measures such as single sales factor apportionment for corporate taxes and expansions to credits, though it avoided rollbacks to the voter-approved millionaires' and did not include proposed reductions. Massachusetts' unemployment rate stood at a post-pandemic low of 3.3% in April 2023 but climbed steadily to 4.8% by August 2025, amid reports of flat overall job growth and net losses of nearly 37,000 positions since 2020—contrasting with national recovery trends. Critics, including analyses from policy groups, have attributed sluggish expansion to high business costs and regulatory burdens, positioning the state last in regional job growth despite targeted incentives.

Housing, shelter, and migrant response

Upon taking office in January 2023, Governor Maura Healey confronted a rapid escalation in demand for Massachusetts' emergency family shelter system, primarily driven by an influx of migrants transported from the U.S. southern border states. By October 2023, the system, governed by a 1983 right-to-shelter law for homeless families, reached its operational capacity of approximately 7,500 families—equating to over 20,000 individuals given typical family sizes of three to four members—prompting Healey to declare a state of emergency and implement a hard cap on placements. This cap discontinued the prior unconditional guarantee of shelter, resulting in waitlists exceeding 1,000 families and reliance on temporary overflow sites, including hotels and motels, with daily new requests averaging 40 to 50 families largely from migrant arrivals. The crisis imposed substantial fiscal burdens, with direct shelter costs surpassing $978 million in fiscal year 2025 alone, including expenses for staffing by the National Guard and service provisions; cumulative spending across fiscal years 2023–2025 reached billions of dollars amid the use of over 100 hotels for housing. To mitigate overload, Healey's administration introduced prioritization for vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic violence or human trafficking, while non-prioritized families, often recent migrants, faced assessment-only stays limited to five days starting August 2024. Critics, including Republican lawmakers and local advocates, contended that these measures effectively prioritized non-citizen migrants over long-term local homeless residents and veterans, exacerbating resource strains in a state already facing acute housing shortages and rising unsheltered homelessness, which doubled to 30,000 individuals by 2024. In response to persistent overcrowding and costs, Healey signed a 2024 funding bill enacting a nine-month maximum stay limit for placements, subsequently shortened to six months via 2025 legislation, to incentivize exits to permanent housing and reduce caseloads. These reforms, coupled with federal immigration enforcement shifts, led to a decline in occupancy below 5,000 families by April 2025—the lowest since mid-2023—and the phase-out of all hotel s by August 2025, allowing Healey to terminate the emergency declaration. In January 2026, Healey sent a letter to GlobalX Airlines and Eastern Air Express demanding they cease providing private charter flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee transfers and deportations, citing taxpayer expenses and conflicts with state immigration policy priorities. However, an independent audit highlighted operational mismanagement, including inadequate planning for the migrant surge despite prior warnings from the outgoing administration, contributing to inefficiencies and cost overruns. Additional critiques focused on shifting post- rental assistance costs to programs like HomeBASE, originally intended for citizens, thereby extending taxpayer burdens for migrant families.

Fiscal management and tax policies

In fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024), Governor Healey signed a $55.98 billion budget on August 9, 2023, representing a 6.2 percent increase over the prior year and directing new funds toward education and childcare expansions, including $510 million more for schools and universal pre-K initiatives. The budget drew on a $2.46 billion surplus from the 4 percent surtax on incomes over $1 million—voter-approved in 2022 and often yielding volatile revenues tied to capital gains fluctuations among high earners—to fund these priorities without broad tax increases. For fiscal year 2025, Healey enacted a $57.7 billion general fund in 2024, a modest 1 percent rise, supplemented by a $714 million closeout bill in September 2024 (net cost $149 million after offsets) to address deficiencies and allocate American Rescue Plan Act remnants. Surplus management emphasized reserves, with $1 billion of FY24 revenue reserved initially for caution amid economic uncertainties, though later supplemental appropriations totaled $1.3 billion for transportation and using excess collections. Critics from taxpayer advocacy groups highlighted risks of over-reliance on such boom-driven revenues, noting potential shortfalls if capital gains decline, as seen in historical state cycles. On taxes, Healey signed a $1 billion relief package on , 2023—the first in over two decades—lowering short-term capital gains taxes from 12 percent to 8.5 percent (effective , 2023) while maintaining long-term rates at 5 percent, alongside expanded and tax credits and estate tax exemptions to ease burdens on families and businesses. She has sustained the for revenue but vetoed or negotiated against broader progressive hikes, such as unrestricted tax maneuvers, prioritizing fiscal restraint over unchecked expansion. Long-term liabilities persist, with committed to fully funding its pension system by 2036; Healey's allocate escalating contributions, including $4.933 billion for FY26 (a $433 million increase), though unfunded obligations remain a concern amid rising state debt and retiree benefits funded via annual appropriations prone to political variability. Independent analyses warn that sustained dependence could strain taxpayers if growth slows, underscoring debates on sustainability versus short-term spending. As governor, Maura Healey has prioritized initiatives to address emerging public safety challenges, including the allocation of $5.5 million in federal funding in October 2025 to bolster local efforts against illegal activities such as street takeovers, alongside a declared zero-tolerance enforced by . Her administration has also convened regional public safety roundtables starting in September 2025, partnering with local police and community groups to reduce through targeted interventions like the Neighborhood Initiative, which has yielded over 500 arrests and the seizure of 65 illegal firearms since its launch. Healey continued elements of her tenure by supporting ongoing litigation against gun manufacturers and dealers, while as emphasizing fentanyl response through expanded treatment access, including a December 2024 bill signing to lower costs for overdose reversal medications and recovery coaching. However, incidents such as the January 2025 discovery of and assault rifles in state shelters prompted immediate inspections and calls for additional funding, highlighting persistent drug trafficking vulnerabilities amid broader overdose prevention efforts. Massachusetts implemented reforms via the 2018 Act, which reduced by prioritizing non-custodial alternatives and eliminating cash for certain low-level offenses; early assessments indicated a 43% drop in juvenile custodial arrests without corresponding crime increases, as incarceration rates fell while overall public safety held steady. Statewide crime data under Healey's governorship reflect declines rather than upticks post-reforms: preliminary 2024 figures from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security reported Part One crimes down 4.4% from 2023, with homicides decreasing 11.4% to 132 incidents, robberies falling 8.6%, and aggravated assaults dropping 5.7%. In , homicides plummeted from 37 in 2023 to 24 in 2024—the lowest in 67 years—contradicting perceptions of leniency-driven surges and aligning with a 1% reduction in citywide. Critics have attributed national post-2020 crime fluctuations to "defund the police" rhetoric, but avoided significant budget cuts—maintaining or increasing police funding—and experienced relative stability, with trends decoupling from broader U.S. spikes linked to reduced elsewhere. These outcomes suggest that sustained enforcement, rather than reform reversals, underpins the empirical downturn, though some analyses caution against overattributing causality amid factors like post-pandemic recovery.

Criticisms of governance effectiveness

Critics have questioned Healey's governance effectiveness amid persistent challenges in managing the state's shelter system, which became overwhelmed by an influx of migrants following her . By August 2025, Healey ended the declared in 2023 after shelters housed up to 24,000 people, roughly half migrants, at a cost exceeding $1 billion annually, prompting accusations of inadequate foresight despite advance warnings of surging arrivals. In her January 16, 2025, State of the Commonwealth address, Healey acknowledged ongoing shelter strains and proposed reforms like shorter stays in bridge shelters, but opponents argued these measures remained too modest with loopholes, failing to address root causes that positioned as a destination for migrants. Economic performance under Healey has drawn scrutiny for stagnant job growth and rising , with the state losing 24,800 private-sector jobs over the 12 months ending April 2025, while public-sector employment expanded. climbed to 4.8% by June 2025, prompting a broad hiring freeze across state agencies in May 2025 amid fiscal pressures and outmigration, which business groups cited as evidence of uncompetitive policies driving firms away. Healey's administration responded with a $400 million jobs and research plan in July 2025, but detractors, including Republican lawmakers, highlighted flat payroll growth and initial job claims rising to 5,047 for the week ending August 23, 2025, as signs of broader mismanagement. Healey's policy of withholding advance notice of personal out-of-state travel, implemented in November 2023 for reasons, has fueled transparency concerns, with undisclosed trips to in March 2024 and in July 2025 sparking criticism from opponents who argued it erodes public accountability during crises like the shelter overload. Despite approval ratings hovering around 57% in early 2025 polls, dipping to just over 50% by September per MassINC, forums and analysts have noted public frustration with perceived leadership gaps in a state with Democratic supermajorities in the legislature, limiting external checks on executive decisions.

Political ideology and positions

Social issues

Healey has been a vocal advocate for rights, signing legislation in August 2025 to update ' shield law, which protects providers and patients from out-of-state legal actions against s performed in compliance with state law, including in emergencies due to medical necessity. As governor, she issued an in June 2024 directing state agencies to ensure access to emergency care, emphasizing ' commitment to reproductive health services post the 2022 Dobbs decision. She has pledged to safeguard medication access, affirming mifepristone's legality following rulings. On transgender issues, Healey supports policies permitting women to compete in categories, dismissing proposed bans as politically motivated and endorsing federal revisions that maintain such inclusions. In August 2025, she signed an expanded shield law protecting gender-affirming care providers and patients from interstate interference, positioning as having "the strongest law in America" for such services. Her administration has backed educational curricula acknowledging as early as third grade and upheld protections for students in schools amid national rollbacks. These stances align with her emphasis on LGBTQ+ , including efforts as to combat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and expand nondiscrimination protections. Fairness debates in highlight empirical concerns, as studies indicate transgender women retain physical advantages over women even after testosterone suppression; for instance, a 2024 cross-sectional analysis found transgender athletes exhibited superior strength, power, and aerobic capacity compared to female controls in metrics. Such data underscore causal realities of male puberty's enduring effects on muscle mass and skeletal structure, challenging claims of equivalence despite , though some reviews assert insufficient evidence of broad advantages. Healey's policies, by prioritizing inclusion, have drawn scrutiny for potential encroachments on single-sex spaces, including prisons and shelters, where biological differences may heighten risks without corresponding mitigations. As , Healey enforced public health measures during the , issuing guidance and regulations to curb consumer harms like abuses amid restrictions, while supporting state-level compliance with lockdowns. Retrospective analyses critique such interventions' efficacy, with meta-studies concluding spring 2020 lockdowns had negligible impacts on mortality but inflicted substantial collateral harms, including elevated non-COVID excess deaths, mental health declines, and economic disruptions in and nationally. These outcomes reflect trade-offs where restrictions' benefits were overstated relative to documented increases in , delayed care, and youth learning losses, prompting questions about the proportionality of Healey's enforcement legacy.

Economic and regulatory views

Healey has positioned herself as supportive of market-driven innovation in high-growth sectors like and life sciences, emphasizing their role in job creation and economic competitiveness. During her gubernatorial campaign, she advocated for policies to attract and retain talent in these industries, arguing that ' leadership in underpins broader prosperity. Her regulatory philosophy, however, favors intervention in environmental and energy domains, including pledges to dedicate at least 1% of the state budget to related agencies and to enact frameworks promoting clean energy grids and emission reductions. This approach prioritizes long-term over minimal regulation, with commitments to equity-focused transitions that impose compliance requirements on utilities and developers. On labor issues, Healey backs union protections and transparency measures, such as requiring employers to disclose pay ranges to mitigate and racial disparities. She has endorsed project labor agreements for public infrastructure to ensure timely delivery while advancing worker standards. Yet, she cautioned against fully phasing out the tip credit for service workers, opposing a ballot initiative that would have aligned tipped minimum wages with the full $15 hourly rate, citing risks of job cuts and lower take-home pay in restaurants. Healey's fiscal views include support for selective relief to counter affordability pressures in a state with elevated rates, such as reductions benefiting seniors, renters, families via enhanced child credits, and es. This stance responds to data showing 57.9% of 2024 resident relocations from were outbound, often to lower- jurisdictions, with analysts attributing patterns partly to high combined state and local burdens exceeding 12% of . Critics from groups argue her labor and regulatory priorities, including potential escalations, could exacerbate small business challenges by inflating costs without corresponding gains.

National and foreign policy stances

Healey has positioned herself as an advocate for strategic, selective opposition to federal Republican policies, urging Democrats to prioritize winnable fights over indiscriminate resistance. In a 2025 New York Times interview, she emphasized rebuilding the Democratic brand through pragmatism, arguing that the party must demonstrate competence on core issues like the economy and public safety to regain voter trust following the electoral setbacks, which included the loss of the presidency and congressional majorities. This stance reflects a shift from her more confrontational tenure as , during which she led over 20 lawsuits against the Trump administration challenging actions on , the , and environmental rollbacks as instances of federal overreach. As , Healey has critiqued potential federal encroachments on state authority, particularly under a second Trump term. In September 2025, she rejected suggestions that President Trump might federalize the for domestic enforcement, asserting there was "no reason" for such intervention and affirming the state's capacity to manage its own needs. She has also warned against broader federal disruptions, such as funding freezes affecting state services from to , which she described in January 2025 as risking harm to essential programs without clear justification. These concerns echo her prior legal challenges but are tempered by a focus on collaboration where possible, as evidenced by her January 2025 decision to adopt a less adversarial posture toward the incoming administration compared to her AG-era rhetoric. Healey's foreign policy commentary, constrained by her state-level role, has centered on support for U.S. allies facing aggression. In February 2025, she praised Ukraine's resilience against Russia's invasion, crediting the Ukrainian people's determination over three years of conflict as inspirational for democratic resolve. On , she has consistently affirmed solidarity, including remarks in October 2023 highlighting 's aid to after the marathon bombing and, in June 2025, defending a Massachusetts-based health accelerator with Israeli ties while condemning rising as unacceptable. These positions align with the Biden administration's commitments to military and for both nations, though Healey has offered no public deviations or detailed critiques of federal strategy.

Personal life

Relationships and public identity

Maura Healey is openly , having been about her at least since her successful campaign for in 2014, when she became the first openly gay person elected to that office. She has been in a relationship with Joanna Lydgate, an attorney and former deputy in the Attorney General's office, since around 2021. Lydgate holds the title of first partner of , as the couple is unmarried, and has assumed some ceremonial duties traditionally associated with the governor's , such as serving as honorary president of the Doric Docents. The couple resides in Arlington and maintains a low profile regarding their , with occasional joint appearances at events like holiday toy drives and interviews. Lydgate has two children from a prior marriage, for whom Healey serves as ; Healey has no biological children. No major health issues have been publicly reported for Healey.

References

  1. https://www.nga.org/governor/maura-healy/
  2. https://ballotpedia.org/Maura_Healey
  3. https://worldmedicalinnovation.org/speaker/maura-healey/
  4. https://www.congress.gov/117/meeting/house/114669/witnesses/HHRG-117-GO00-Bio-HealeyM-20220427.pdf
  5. https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/154338/
  6. https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-highlights-100-days-of-making-massachusetts-more-affordable-competitive-and-equitable
  7. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-bill-making-substance-use-disorder-treatment-and-recovery-support-more-affordable-and-accessible
  8. https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-311/63117/20180910100439089_Exxon-Healey%2520cert%2520petition%2520FINAL.pdf
  9. https://democraticgovernors.org/governor/maura-healey/
  10. https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/06/09/ag-maura-healey-gubernatorial-run
  11. https://www.telegram.com/story/news/state/2022/11/09/maura-healey-massachusetts-governor-elect-2022-midterm-election/69610958007/
  12. https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2022/11/governors-of-massachusetts
  13. https://ethnicelebs.com/maura-healey
  14. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8961973/bio/
  15. https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/kennedy-library-forums/past-forums/transcripts/2015-11-23-a-conversation-with-maura-healey
  16. https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/maura-healey/
  17. https://gocrimson.com/news/2023/2/1/general-gov-healey-92-discusses-journey-womens-athletics-with-mcdermott.aspx
  18. https://www.sloansportsconference.com/people/maura-healey
  19. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/01/sports/maura-healey-basketball/
  20. https://law.northeastern.edu/pathway/maura-healey-98/
  21. https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/08/21/capitalbioboxes/IUrVszX526JiNmjDJwHYNN/story.html
  22. https://www.mass.gov/doc/downloadable-version-of-attorney-general-healeys-biography/download
  23. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/28/metro/i-wanted-learn-best-healey-says-her-early-years-private-law-practice/
  24. https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2015/04/28/power-2015-maura-healey/
  25. https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2014/08/31/maura-healey-for-attorney-general/BtpFMC2PIGgHFbg48u9XdL/story.html
  26. https://www.smith.edu/news-events/news/state-attorney-general-maura-healey-speaks-smith
  27. https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/125499/
  28. https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/126078/
  29. https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=25&year=2014&f=0&off=9&elect=0
  30. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/11/5/maura-healey-attorney-general/
  31. https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/131496/
  32. https://www.wbur.org/news/2018/11/06/galvin-re-elected-secretary-of-state
  33. https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Attorney_General_election%2C_2018
  34. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-announces-resolution-with-purdue-pharma-and-the-sackler-family-for-their-role-in-the-opioid-crisis
  35. https://www.wgbh.org/news/national/2021-07-13/im-not-happy-a-g-healey-talks-victories-and-disappointments-in-the-sackler-settlement
  36. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/healey-hails-4-3b-settlement-ending-purdue-pharma-sackler-family-legal-saga/2424732/
  37. https://www.mass.gov/news/in-major-antitrust-lawsuit-ag-healey-sues-generic-drug-makers-for-conspiring-to-raise-prices
  38. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-secures-52-million-settlement-over-pharmaceutical-companys-efforts-to-delay-generic-competition
  39. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-secures-665-million-from-drug-company-for-falsely-and-aggressively-marketing-suboxone
  40. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-joins-third-major-lawsuit-in-ongoing-antitrust-investigation-into-generic-drug-price-fixing
  41. https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-consumers-to-receive-nearly-9-million-in-refunds-from-e-book-pricing-fixing-settlements
  42. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-secures-4-million-from-national-debt-buyer-to-pay-back-consumers-harmed-by-abusive-debt-collection-practices
  43. https://www.masslive.com/politics/2019/06/massachusetts-attorney-general-maura-healey-has-at-least-43-lawsuits-against-the-trump-administration.html
  44. https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/11/09/maura-healey-sued-trump-nearly-100-times-as-massachusetts-ag-more-fights-ahead-as-governor/
  45. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-files-lawsuit-challenging-president-trumps-revised-travel-ban
  46. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-sues-trump-administration-to-defend-daca-program
  47. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/state-attorneys-general-have-sued-trump-s-administration-138-times-n1247733
  48. https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/opinion/columns/2017/10/12/healey-s-suit-against-feds/18326094007/
  49. https://commonwealthbeacon.org/guns/healey-triggers-gun-buying-frenzy/
  50. https://www.nssf.org/articles/firearms-retailers-nssf-file-federal-suit-against-attorney-general-healeys-overreaching-enforcement-notice/
  51. https://www.nssf.org/articles/u-s-district-court-denies-mass-a-g-healeys-motion-to-dismiss-suit-against-overreaching-enforcement-notice/
  52. https://manhattan.institute/article/left-wing-ags-are-playing-politics-with-the-law
  53. https://www.nationalreview.com/2016/09/state-attorneys-general-political-abuses-power/
  54. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/massachusetts-attorney-general-investigates-gun-safety/
  55. https://www.nssf.org/articles/mass-attorney-general-maura-healy-usurps-power-to-attack-second-amendment/
  56. https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-gun-manufacturers-and-dealers-are-not-exempt-from-state-consumer-protection-laws
  57. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/healey-federal-law-should-not-shield-gun-manufacturers/2632323/
  58. https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/152285/
  59. https://massachusettsalmanac.com/the-endorsements-page/
  60. https://www.wamc.org/news/2022-06-04/maura-healey-endorsed-for-governor-at-massachusetts-democratic-convention
  61. https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/154338/filter_by_county:Middlesex
  62. https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/voter-turnout-statistics.htm
  63. https://ocpf2.blob.core.windows.net/pdf/studies/statewidestudy2022.pdf
  64. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-massachusetts-governor.html
  65. https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/01/05/healey-sworn-in-as-governor
  66. https://www.wamc.org/news/2023-01-05/maura-healey-sworn-in-as-governor-of-massachusetts
  67. https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/01/06/maura-healey-governor-massachusetts-priorities-newsletter
  68. https://www.masslive.com/politics/2023/01/gov-maura-healey-issues-her-1st-executive-order-creating-climate-chief.html
  69. https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2023-08-10/surplus-or-deficit-administration-looks-back-at-mass-fiscal-2023-budget
  70. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tax-rebate-massachusetts-governor-says-193735752.html
  71. https://www.mass.gov/news/number-of-families-in-shelter-falls-below-5000-following-governor-healeys-reforms
  72. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/the-healey-driscoll-administrations-priorities
  73. https://www.bio.org/press-release/massachusetts-governor-maura-healey-named-bios-governor-year
  74. https://bio.news/state-policy/gov-healey-bio-governor-of-the-year-boosts-people-to-build-biotech/
  75. https://www.masslifesciences.com/healey-driscoll-administration-and-massachusetts-life-sciences-center-announce-awardees-for-massachusetts-next-generation-initiative/
  76. https://www.biospace.com/job-trends/30m-in-tax-incentives-fuel-job-growth-1-500-new-roles-coming-to-massachusetts
  77. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-announces-more-than-17-million-in-tax-incentives-to-create-800-life-sciences-jobs
  78. https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2025/09/30/tax-credits-target-life-sciences-workforce-woes.html
  79. https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2025/10/24/mlsc-terminations-2025.html
  80. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-launches-drive-initiative-to-create-thousands-of-jobs-grow-research-and-innovation-economy
  81. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-first-tax-cuts-in-more-than-20-years
  82. https://taxnews.ey.com/news/2023-1655-massachusetts-governor-signs-bill-that-adopts-single-sales-factor-apportionment-reduces-short-term-capital-gains-tax-rate-makes-other-tax-changes
  83. https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/23/job-growth-flat-massachusetts
  84. https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/state/over-the-last-year-job-growth-was-mostly-flat-in-massachusetts/article_6a447c47-f32c-4129-bf6c-9fd82955bf91.html
  85. https://massopportunity.org/content/blog/mass-missing-from-new-england-job-growth/
  86. https://www.massfiscal.org/12-months-ma-loses-24-800-private-sector-jobs
  87. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-announces-states-emergency-family-shelter-system-will-reach-capacity-by-end-of-month
  88. https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/04/17/families-massachusetts-emergency-shelter-decrease-migrants
  89. https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/03/05/emergency-shelter-system-population-massachusetts
  90. https://www.wamc.org/news/2023-11-01/judge-clears-way-for-massachusetts-to-begin-capping-number-of-migrant-families-offered-shelter
  91. https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2024-07-23/healey-imposes-new-restrictions-and-changes-to-the-shelter-system
  92. https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/10/12/gov-maura-healey-stopped-publishing-public-regular-accounting-of-shelter-spending/
  93. https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/07/20/editorial-shelter-cost-an-insane-tax-hit/
  94. https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/08/12/maura-healey-massachusetts-shelter-emergency-homeless-migrants-critics
  95. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/massachusetts-governor-criticized-for-shifting-costs-of-rental-assistance-for-migrant-families/
  96. https://www.facebook.com/groups/fallriverma/posts/3624599194339576/
  97. https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/08/07/governor-healey-massachusetts-open-letter-advocates-shelter
  98. https://malegislature.gov/PressRoom/Detail?pressReleaseId=169
  99. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-announces-successful-closure-of-all-hotel-shelters-ends-state-of-emergency
  100. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-demands-private-airlines-stop-providing-deportation-flights-to-ice-at-expense-of-taxpayers
  101. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-migrant-shelter-audit-healey-dizoglio/
  102. https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/08/05/gov-maura-healey-received-written-warning-about-surge-of-migrants-in-transition-document/
  103. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-and-lieutenant-governor-driscoll-sign-56-billion-fiscal-year-2024-budget
  104. https://www.acecma.org/news/the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts-fy2024-budget-process-for-acec-ma-members/
  105. https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/19/millionaires-tax-massachusetts-spending
  106. https://commonwealthbeacon.org/government/state-government/groups-urge-rejection-of-healey-budget-maneuver-using-millionaire-tax-funds/
  107. https://apps.urban.org/features/slfi-state-pages-prod/factsheets/Massachusetts.html
  108. https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-files-714-million-supplemental-budget-to-close-fiscal-year-2024
  109. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-13-billion-supplemental-budget-to-make-major-investments-in-transportation-education
  110. https://www.fiduciary-trust.com/insights/healey-signs-tax-reform-package/
  111. https://commonwealthbeacon.org/government/state-government/house-nixes-healeys-millionaire-tax-budget-maneuver/
  112. https://budget.digital.mass.gov/govbudget/fy26/fiscal-health-and-prospects
  113. https://massbudget.org/2025/02/05/gov-fy2026-budget-analysis/
  114. https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/10/mass-invests-55m-to-strengthen-public-safety-as-gov-healey-declares-zero-tolerance.html
  115. https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-10-08/healey-vows-zero-tolerance-for-illegal-street-takeovers
  116. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/governor-maura-healey-to-lead-public-safety-roundtable-in-holyoke/
  117. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-colonel-noble-announce-results-of-recent-enforcement-efforts-to-deter-illegal-street-takeovers
  118. https://www.wcvb.com/article/healey-orders-inspection-massachusetts-shelters-jan-6-2025/63351787
  119. https://www.mass.gov/doc/early-impacts-of-an-act-relative-to-criminal-justice-reform-november-2019/download
  120. https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/criminal-justice-reform-in-massachusetts
  121. https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-crime-rates-continue-downward-trend-ahead-of-summer-season-preliminary-2024-data-shows-fewer-violent-and-property-crimes-statewide
  122. https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-07-20/crime-down-nearly-across-the-board-in-massachusetts
  123. https://www.police1.com/crime/city-has-never-been-safer-boston-hits-lowest-homicide-rate-since-1957
  124. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/31/metro/with-violent-crime-rise-defunding-police-cries-are-subsiding/
  125. https://www.criminon.org/who-we-are/groups/criminon-international/the-pros-and-cons-of-massachusetts-criminal-justice-reform/
  126. https://www.justicelab.columbia.edu/mass-passes-landmark-reform-bill
  127. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/i-warned-you-left-wing-governor-scraps-migrant-shelter-plan-after-1b-blowup
  128. https://www.mass.gov/doc/healey-state-of-the-commonwealth-address-2025-as-prepared/download
  129. https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2025-01-16/5-takeaways-from-gov-healeys-2025-state-of-the-commonwealth
  130. https://www.massfiscal.org/governor-healey-state-commonwealth-address-misses-mark
  131. https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-07-31/healey-filing-400-million-plan-to-boost-jobs-research
  132. https://massgop.com/business-groups-pan-healey-tax-cuts-as-insufficient
  133. https://www.newbedfordguide.com/healeys-economic-fumble-rising-unemployment-sluggish-job-growth-plague-massachusetts/2025/08/30
  134. https://www.wwlp.com/news/state-politics/job-growth-roughly-flat-in-massachusetts-over-past-year/
  135. https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/11/13/healey-stop-travel-disclosure-notice
  136. https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/07/14/gov-maura-healey-traveled-to-france-last-week-on-vacation-with-family/
  137. https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/03/24/heres-where-gov-healey-went-during-that-mysterious-4-day-trip/
  138. https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2025/09/11/massinc-poll-just-over-half-of-voters-approve-of-healeys-performance/
  139. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2025/02/24/how-healey-is-holding-up-00205669
  140. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/12/opinion/maura-healey-biggest-weakness/
  141. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-updated-shield-law-strengthening-protections-for-health-care-providers-and-patients
  142. https://www.mass.gov/news/on-two-year-anniversary-of-dobbs-governor-healey-signs-executive-order-protecting-access-to-emergency-abortion-care
  143. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-pledges-to-protect-access-to-medication-abortion-following-scotus-oral-arguments
  144. https://wbsm.com/massachusetts-healey-supports-transgender-sports/
  145. https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-submits-comment-in-support-of-biden-harris-administrations-proposed-title-ix-changes
  146. https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/08/07/massachusetts-reproductive-transgender-care-protections
  147. https://mafamily.org/2023/06/28/governor-healey-wants-ma-3rd-graders-to-learn-that-they-can-change-genders/
  148. https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/01/15/massachusetts-transgender-student-protections-title-ix-newsletter
  149. https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-celebrates-maura-healeys-historic-election-as-first-lesbian-governor-in-the-nation
  150. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/58/11/586
  151. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8944319/
  152. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-and-attorney-general-campbell-issue-joint-guidance-affirming-commitment-to-equal-access-to-education-in-massachusetts
  153. https://www.mass.gov/news/ags-office-issues-emergency-regulation-to-protect-consumers-from-harmful-debt-collection-practices-during-covid-19-emergency
  154. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/10/metro/new-scientific-research-suggests-covid-lockdowns-did-more-harm-than-good/
  155. https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/06/25/editorial-covid-restrictions-did-more-harm-than-good/amp/
  156. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7649384/
  157. https://maurahealey.com/issues/climate/
  158. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-climate-law-to-advance-clean-energy-transition-create-jobs-and-lower-costs
  159. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-wage-equity-legislation
  160. https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-executive-order-to-ensure-safe-on-time-and-on-budget-construction-projects
  161. https://minimumwage.com/2024/11/one-fair-wage-ends-up-uniting-ma-against-tip-credit-elimination/
  162. https://massopportunity.org/content/blog/fact-check-outbound-moves-threatening-massachusetts-economic-future/
  163. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/magazine/maura-healey-interview.html
  164. https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2025/03/03/4-takeaways-from-maura-healey-deep-dive-new-york-times-interview/
  165. https://commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/healey-vs-trump/
  166. https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/09/gov-healey-no-reason-for-trump-to-federalize-mass-national-guard.html
  167. https://newbedfordlight.org/mass-leaders-in-panic-over-trumps-freeze-on-federal-funds/
  168. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2025/01/02/healey-takes-a-different-tack-on-trump-2-0-00196203
  169. https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/11/19/maura-healey-donald-trump-opposition
  170. https://www.facebook.com/MAGovernor/posts/over-the-past-three-years-ive-been-inspired-by-the-strength-and-resilience-of-th/625355393768185/
  171. https://dailyfreepress.com/10/10/23/199526/gov-maura-healey-elected-officials-stand-with-israel-amid-attacks/
  172. https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/we-can-do-better-than-that-healey-takes-on-recent-antisemitism/
  173. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwyj0sGyWfg
  174. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/massachusetts-attorney-general-maura-healey-becomes-1st-lesbian-elected-governor-in-u-s
  175. https://www.wbir.com/article/news/nation-world/maura-healey-1st-lesbian-elected-massachusetts-governor/507-b49ff477-c89b-4b19-b598-3b5f404df954
  176. https://www.boston.com/news/the-boston-globe/2023/01/09/maura-healey-partner-joanna-lydgate/
  177. https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/gov-maura-healeys-partner-joanna-lydgate-takes-traditional-role/US4UJQSCTJF25BL6M2EJD67WVA/
  178. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/19/lifestyle/governor-maura-healey-her-partner-joanna-lydgate-sit-down-with-love-letters-podcast/
  179. https://mombian.com/2023/01/08/massachusetts-gov-maura-healey-shares-about-partner-and-kids-in-her-life/
  180. https://turnto10.com/news/local/story/massachusetts-governor-maura-healey-sports-basketball-family-law-school-attorney-general-challenge-openly-gay-partner-tv-appearance-president-may-8-2025
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.