Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) —The midterm elections for Governor and Senate wrapped up quickly after polls closed Tuesday evening, as re-elections of Democratic incumbents added to a nationwide blue wave.
Governor Healey Wins Re-Election
Gov. Maura Healey won a swift re-election Tuesday night over Republican challenger Mike Minogue, with the AP calling the race a minute after polls closed. During her first term, Healey made history as the first woman Governor of the state after serving as attorney general from 2015-2023. She is now the first Democrat to win re-election for Governor in Massachusetts since Deval Patrick in 2016.
Healey said her main plans include addressing cost of living concerns, building more housing, and standing up against the Trump administration.
“I’m going to work my hardest every single day for the things that matter in your lives,” Healey said in her victory speech.
Healey took a moment to reach across the aisle, although she did not mention Minogue by name.
“I spoke with an opponent; I wished him well,” Healey said. “And those who supported my opponents in this race, here’s my promise, I’ll show up for you, I’ll fight for you, I’ll be a governor for everyone.”
The polling for Minogue only came within 20 points of Healey a handful of times this campaign. His campaign focused mostly on affordability issues and the economy, but the race took a couple of turns, including the arrest and subsequent drop out of his running mate Shawn Oliver weeks before the election.
“The people made their choice, and it is our responsibility to respect the will of the people,” Minogue said in his concession speech. Though there were calls from his supporters to launch a future campaign, he said he has no intention of running again any time soon.
Senator Ed Markey Wins Re-Election
The race for U.S. Senate was also called almost immediately as polls closed, with Democratic incumbent Sen. Ed Markey winning re-election for a third term over Republican challenger John Deaton. Markey was first elected to the Senate in 2013 after serving 20 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Together we will create a healthier, fairer, more prosperous, peaceful and hope filled future for everyone,” Markey said in his victory speech.
Deaton, who has now lost two Senate races in two years, said he doesn’t feel defeated, just disappointed that he couldn’t deliver victory for his supporters.
“They said that it’s impossible, I still wanted to test that theory.” Deaton said in his concession speech. “I hope that Senator Markey, I hope that Senator Warren, I hope that the whole federal delegation in Massachusetts just starts putting people over politics.”
Markey’s age was brought up as a major campaigning point for Deaton, but some Gen Z voters said it wasn’t an issue for them.
“I think Senator Ed Markey stands for what Massachusetts stands for and has been fighting for these values,” said one voter. “It’s not worth sacrificing a progressive candidate just to have that younger person, and I think a lot of young people in Massachusetts agree and turned out for Markey.”
Elected Officials, Voters React To “Blue Wave”
Throughout the day, Democratic voters’ spirits were high. Voter Jillian said she thinks Democrats’ growing frustrations nationwide were a driving force behind the blue wave.
“We’ve been burnt in prior years, but I think that has worked to our advantage for this election because I think it brought out the vote,” Jillian said.
Jillian said she was motivated to vote to prioritize kindness in elected officials.
“I think that MAGA republicans are cruel, unkind and that crosses the line that it’s not even about politics anymore to me,” Jillian said. “I think it’s extremely important to have quality people leading our way.”
At Markey’s election party, his supporters were confident in his continued leadership.
"I just feel like he has an unusually kind connection with his constituents and I appreciate that about him,” said one Markey supporter. “I don’t care about age and all the other things they’ve said about him… there is nobody else for this state.”
Steve, a voter in Cambridge, said thinking about his daughter and future generations motivated him to vote.
“We’re starting to think about the future, not the present,” Steve said. “I really am here supporting … people who can’t even vote for themselves yet.”
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who was running for re-election uncontested, urged her fellow Democrats to utilize the new majority.
“Democrats, when we have the power, we have to use it,” Pressley said.
Pressley also shared future-oriented goals.
“The work we take on together is not about a two-year election cycle; it is about the next century of our nation,” Pressley said. “A more just America is possible.”