Attorney General Maura Healey holds her first campaign press conference on Thursday. Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is officially in the state's governor's race — she brings millions of dollars and national name recognition to an all-female Democratic field.
Healey made the announcement Thursday morning, and hosted her first press conference at the Maverick T station in East Boston.
She said one of her main goals was "getting the economy back on track, making sure that it works for everyone across this state." The Attorney General urged voters to look to her record in office several times.
As of the latest state financial reports in early January, Healey had about $3.7 million in her campaign account. That's about ten times the money of the next closest competitor in the race, Harvard Professor Danielle Allen (about $370,000).
Healey enters an all-female Democratic field, joining Allen and State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz. Chang-Diaz welcomed Healey to the race yesterday, while Allen cast the Attorney General's entrance as "business as usual." On the Republican side, former State Sen. Geoff Diehl is running and has just over $100,000 in the bank.
WBZ's Laurie Kirby (@LaurieWBZ) spoke to Amanda Hunter, head of the Barbara Lee Foundation, a Cambridge-based organization that tries to advance women's representation.
"Seems like a trend here when you look at fact that the Boston mayoral race was led by women and women of color, as well," Hunter said. She said Massachusetts is among 18 states that have never elected a female governor, though Jane Swift did serve as governor between 2001 and 2003 when then-Governor Paul Cellucci resigned.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) was in East Boston:
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App