History!
Healey is 1st lesbian elected governor in US
BOSTON – Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey has been elected governor of Massachusetts, making history as the nation's first openly lesbian governor.
Healey, the state's first woman and openly gay candidate elected to the office, defeated Republican Geoff Diehl, a former state representative who had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
Her election returns the governor's office to Democrats after eight years of Republican leadership under the popular Gov. Charlie Baker, who opted not to seek reelection.
Healey and her running mate, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, were among three all-female governor/lieutenant governor tickets in the U.S. that began Election Day with a chance to become the first such pairing elected to lead a state.
Healey was also one of two openly lesbian candidates who ran to be a governor in the country. Healey and Democrat Tina Kotek, a candidate for governor in Oregon, each began the day with a chance to become the first open lesbian elected governor of a state. Kotek also won her race.
Healey addressed supporters at a downtown Boston hotel after her victory Tuesday night.
"To those who voted for me and to those who didn't I want you to know that 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.
Healey also addressed the historic nature of her win.
"Tonight I want to say something to every little girl and every young LGBTQ person out there. I hope tonight shows you that you can be whatever, whoever you want to be and nothing and no one can ever get in your way except you own imagination and that's not going to happen." Healey said.
"I stand before you tonight proud to be the first woman and the first gay person ever elected governor of Massachusetts," she added.
Healey – elected eight years ago as the nation's first openly gay attorney general – snapped what's become known in Massachusetts as the "curse of the attorney general." Since 1958, six former Massachusetts attorneys general have sought the governor's office. All failed.
