The news that Republican Gov. Charlie Baker won’t seek a third term shines the spotlight squarely on Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat who party insiders have long assumed wants the job. In the long run, the spotlight is a good thing. In the short run, however, it can present problems.
Three very progressive Democrats have already declared: former state Senator and environmental champion Ben Downing, who hails from Western Massachusetts and now makes his home in East Boston; state Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, who represents Roxbury and Jamaica Plain and enjoys a reputation as a Beacon Hill firebrand; and Harvard professor Danielle Allen, a charismatic political philosopher making her first run for office.
When I spoke to people from these campaigns, they all asked essentially the same question: If Healey really had fire in her belly, was really committed to shaking things up, why did she wait for Baker to bail? The assumption was clearly that Healey is going to announce and will do so soon.
The answer is simple: prudence. Polls show that of all the Democrats, Healey had the best chance of beating Baker. With the popular Baker now gone, and his trusted Lt. Governor Karyn Polito also out of the running, Healey's chances can only improve.
To have a chance at victory, the three progressives need to clip Healey’s wings before she takes off. Is that possible?
When Healey won the attorney general's office eight years ago, she was a fresh face. Now, she's part of the establishment. But don’t forget: in this state, the powers that be tend to be progressive. Think Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins and — of course — Boston’s new mayor, Michelle Wu.
With the notable exception of former governor Deval Patrick, who ran as a maverick outsider, Massachusetts voters cast their ballots for someone they consider reliable.
The question Republicans (who constitute less than 10% of the state electorate) now face is this: Is their declared gubernatorial candidate, former state Rep. Geoff Diehl — who failed to defeat Elizabeth Warren for Senate in 2018 and who enjoys the full-throated support of former President Donald Trump — the type of candidate to win the confidence of 51% of the voters?
