Maura Healey and her running mate Kim Driscoll wave to the crowd during an Election Night party at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Photo by Chris Lisinski | State House News Service
Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly chose Democrat Maura Healey as the next governor of Massachusetts, entrusting the two-term attorney general whose election marks a litany of historic firsts to succeed popular Republican Gov. Charlie Baker as the state continues to find its footing in a post-pandemic world.
Meanwhile, a hot-button tax policy ballot question remained close Wednesday morning.
Republican Geoff Diehl was little match for Healey, who has been considered the Democrats’ odds-on favorite to become the state’s chief executive for almost the entirety of her relatively short political career and who entered the governor’s race in January after Baker opted not to seek reelection.
As of 11:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, Healy led Diehl 63.3 percent to 35.1 percent, according to The Associated Press, with 89 percent of precincts reporting.
“To those who voted for me and to those who didn’t, I want you to know I’ll be a governor for everyone and I’ll work with anyone who’s up for making a difference in this state,” Healey said shortly after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday as she claimed victory. “I want you to know: I understand what you feel, I understand where you are, and I’m going to do everything in my power to help you.”
Healey, Driscoll Make History
In addition to being the first woman and first openly gay person elected governor in Massachusetts, Healey on Tuesday became the first sitting Massachusetts attorney general elected to the corner office since AG became an elected, not appointed, office more than a century ago. She is just the third Democrat elected governor of the Bay State over the last 40 years, and the victory also made Healey the first out lesbian to be elected governor in any state in America.
“In the face of so much hate and intolerance sweeping our nation, her win is a sign – especially to LGBTQ kids in desperate need of hope – that LGBTQ people have a place in American society and can become respected public leaders,” Annise Parker, president and CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, said. “We are confident that under Maura’s leadership, Massachusetts will reach new heights as one of the most inclusive states in the country.”
Though historic, there was little suspense or drama on the gubernatorial campaign trail this fall. Fittingly, there was little suspense Tuesday night: the AP called the race for Healey as soon as the polls closed at 8 p.m., even before any results had been reported.
Alongside Healey on the victorious Democratic ticket is Lieutenant Governor-elect Kim Driscoll. The women-in-politics organization EMILY’s List said that Healey and Driscoll “comprise the first all-woman gubernatorial leadership team in American history.” Or, as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called them Tuesday night, “the country’s first ever governor and lieutenant governor women power duo.” A pair of women was also elected Tuesday night to lead Arkansas.
The mayor of Salem since 2006, Driscoll got into the lieutenant governor’s race in January promising a “new focus from Beacon Hill” on the needs of cities of towns.
Diehl No Match for Dems
After leaning on the support he enjoys from former President Donald Trump in a Republican Party primary against Wrentham businessman Chris Doughty, Diehl focused his general election campaign against Healey around the broad theme of freedom – economic freedom through tax relief, energy independence and oversight of government spending, freedom from health care-related mandates like those around COVID-19 vaccination, and freedom for parents to decide how their child is educated.
Representatives of Diehl’s campaign took issue with the AP’s early call of the Massachusetts governor’s race and the candidate told his supporters just before 11 p.m. that the gap was too much to overcome and that he had called Healey to congratulate her on her victory.
“Despite the outcome, I’m proud of the race we ran and we highlighted issues that are important for people across the entire state. You know it: education, health care, energy, the economy. For a long time, Massachusetts has been a leader in these fields, but we’ve become complacent and too dependent on the directives from Washington, D.C.,” Diehl said. “So Leah [Allen] and I talked about restoring freedom through states’ rights and we’ve been passionate about giving you back control from a government that has become so big that it controls virtually every aspect of our lives.”
Healey is expected to be sworn in as the 73rd governor of Massachusetts on Thursday, Jan. 5 at noon. She and Driscoll are planning to meet with Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito on Wednesday.
Results Tight on Millionaires Tax
Question 1, which seeks to impose a 4 percent surtax on annual personal income above $1 million, was running tight as the night wore on. And as of 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, the split between the two sides was still relatively close, with 51.9 percent in favor and 48.1 percent against, the New York Times reported.
On Question 1, “yes” votes which would impose the surtax led with 52 percent of the vote around 11:30 p.m. Campaigns for and against the ballot question were reserved when asked for comment Tuesday night, saying it was too close to call. Both, however, said that their campaigns must have “resonated with voters.”
“We are very confident, and it’s clear that the campaign we ran resonated with voters because a significant number of people came out to vote that it wasn’t the right time for this amendment,” No on 1 campaign spokesperson Dan Cence said.
Andrew Farnitano, spokesperson for the Yes on 1 campaign said he was proud and felt “strong” as votes came in. Shortly before midnight, Fair Share Massachusetts Campaign Manager Jeron Mariani issued a statement that suggested surtax supporters are comfortable they will ultimately come out on top.
“We are working to ensure that every single vote is counted, and confident that when they are, Massachusetts voters will have chosen a fairer tax system, and secure funding for our schools, colleges, and transportation infrastructure,” Mariani said.
At the Yes on 1 party in downtown Boston, Rep. Jim O’Day got the crowd into a frenzy, saying 100 percent of the votes in Worcester were in with 60 percent of them in favor of the surtax ballot question.
“We’re heading in the right direction, there’s no question about that ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “Be patient, I feel the energy.”
Most of the ballot questions have been the subject of expensive campaigns, with millions of dollars worth of ads making it to Massachusetts’ airwaves and mailboxes. The opposition to Question 1 spent a total of $13,518,519.82 and supportive campaigns spent twice as much, $27,929,767.66, the Office of Campaign and Political Finance reported on Election Day.
