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BOSTON — Democrat Maura T. Healey ’92 coasted to victory in the Massachusetts gubernatorial election Tuesday, easily downing a Trump-backed opponent to become the first woman ever elected to the state’s top post.
Healey, who will become the first openly lesbian governor in American history, is the third consecutive Harvard College alum elected governor of Massachusetts. She dominated Republican Geoffrey G. Diehl, who conceded just before 11 p.m. Tuesday.
“I stand in front of you tonight proud to be the first woman and first gay person ever elected governor of Massachusetts,” Healey told a crowd of jubilant supporters at a hotel in Boston, where she declared victory at around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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Healey’s victory flips the Massachusetts governor’s seat blue again after eight years of GOP leadership under Governor Charlie D. Baker ’79, who opted not to seek a third term.
Healey and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Kimberley Driscoll led a slate of Democratic female candidates that made history on Tuesday.
“Tonight I want to say something to every little girl and every LGBTQ person out there: I hope tonight shows you that you can be whatever, whoever you want to be,” Healey said.
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The Associated Press called the race within seconds of when polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Diehl’s campaign manager, Amanda Orlando, condemned the early projection, calling it “irresponsible.” But trailing in every Massachusetts county, Diehl conceded just hours later.
“The people of the commonwealth have spoken,” he said in a monotone address to supporters at a watch party late Tuesday. “I respect their choice.”
Former Boston City Councilor Andrea J. Campbell became the first Black woman elected to a statewide office Tuesday after she easily defeated her Republican opponent in the race for Massachusetts attorney general.
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“In Massachusetts we don’t just say representation matters, we are showing it,” she said during a victory speech at the Democratic watch party in Boston.
Campbell’s victory over Republican James McMahon comes just over a year after she lost in a primary for mayor of Boston.
Massachusetts voters elected Democrats to every statewide office and maintained the party’s supermajority in the state legislature, securing its ironclad grip on state policymaking.
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In the race for state auditor, Democrat Diana DiZoglio led Republican Anthony Amore, the lone statewide GOP nominee endorsed by Baker, as of early Wednesday morning. The Associated Press had not called the contest at press time.
William F. Galvin cruised to an eighth term as secretary of state on Tuesday, defeating Republican Rayla Campbell. State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg defeated Cristina Crawford to secure her third term in office.
Cambridge voters re-elected a slate of Democrats to the state legislature, helping shore up the party’s supermajority.
All nine Democrats who represent Massachusetts in the U.S. House were re-elected Tuesday, including both of Cambridge’s representatives, Ayanna S. Pressley and Katherine M. Clark.
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At the state Democratic watch party, Healey supporters lauded her historic victory.
“I look forward to the future of Massachusetts with them in charge,” said Melody Callahan, of Charlestown.
Healey Volunteer Dawn McKenna, of Lexington, said she was “thrilled” to be at the event to celebrate victories by Healey and Campbell.
“I’ve gotten to know Andrea Campbell really well, she’s just a fantastic human being and will make a fantastic attorney general,” she said.
—Staff writer Yusuf S. Mian can be reached at yusuf.mian@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @yusuf_mian2.
—Staff writer Charlotte P. Ritz-Jack can be reached at charlotte.ritz-jack@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @Charritzjack.
