Maura Healey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maura Healey
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Official portrait, 2023
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| 73rd Governor of Massachusetts | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2023 |
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| Lieutenant | Kim Driscoll |
| Preceded by | Charlie Baker |
| 44th Attorney General of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 21, 2015 – January 5, 2023 |
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| Governor | Charlie Baker |
| Preceded by | Martha Coakley |
| Succeeded by | Andrea Campbell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Maura Tracy Healey
February 8, 1971 Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Domestic partner | Joanna Lydgate |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Northeastern University (JD) |
Maura Tracy Healey (born February 8, 1971) is an American lawyer and politician. She is currently the 73rd governor of Massachusetts, a role she started in 2023. Before becoming governor, she served as the Massachusetts Attorney General from 2015 to 2023. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Healey was first hired by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in 2007. She became the chief of the Civil Rights Division. In this role, she led the state's challenge against a federal law called the Defense of Marriage Act. She later became chief of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau and then the Business and Labor Bureau. In 2013, she decided to run for attorney general. She won the election in 2014 and was reelected in 2018. In 2022, she was elected governor of Massachusetts.
In 2014, Maura Healey became the first openly LGBTQ person elected attorney general of a U.S. state. She was also the first openly LGBTQ person elected to a statewide office in Massachusetts. In 2022, she made history again. She became one of the first openly LGBTQ women elected governor of a U.S. state. She was also the first woman ever elected governor of Massachusetts.
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Early Life and Education
Maura Healey was born in Bethesda, Maryland, on February 8, 1971. She is the oldest of five children. When she was nine months old, her family moved to Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, where she grew up. Her mother was a nurse, and her father was an engineer.
Healey went to Winnacunnet High School. She then studied government at Harvard College, graduating in 1992. She was a co-captain of the Harvard Crimson women's basketball team. After college, Healey played professional basketball in Austria for two years. She was a starting point guard for UBBC Wüstenrot Salzburg. When she returned to the United States, she earned a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 1998.
Legal Career
Healey started her legal career working for Judge A. David Mazzone. She helped him with trials and reports on the cleanup of the Boston Harbor. After that, she worked for over seven years at a law firm. There, she focused on business and financial lawsuits.
She also worked as a special assistant district attorney in Middlesex County.
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In 2007, Maura Healey was hired by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. She became the chief of the Civil Rights Division. In this role, she led the state's challenge against the federal Defense of Marriage Act. She successfully argued for Massachusetts in the first lawsuit that overturned this law.
In 2012, Healey was promoted to chief of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau. Later, she became chief of the Business and Labor Bureau. As a division chief, she oversaw many lawyers and staff. She supervised areas like consumer protection, fair labor, and civil rights.
Attorney General of Massachusetts (2015–2023)
Becoming Attorney General
In October 2013, Healey announced she would run for attorney general. The previous attorney general, Martha Coakley, was retiring. On September 9, 2014, Healey won the Democratic primary election. She defeated former State Senator Warren Tolman.
Healey then won the general election against Republican John Miller. She was reelected as Attorney General in 2018.
Key Actions as Attorney General
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Maura Healey worked to reduce gun violence. Her plan included improving background checks for gun purchases. It also aimed to better track stolen guns. She supported fingerprint trigger locks and firearm micro-stamping.
Gun Control Efforts
On July 20, 2016, Healey announced a ban on making most assault rifles in Massachusetts. Because of this and other laws, the company Smith & Wesson moved its headquarters. They moved their manufacturing from Massachusetts to Tennessee in 2023.
Actions Against Trump Administration Policies
On January 31, 2017, Healey's office joined a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's "Muslim ban." Healey said the order was unfair and based on anti-Muslim feelings. A federal court later ruled against the order.
On March 9, 2017, Healey's office joined another lawsuit against a revised version of the order. She stated it was still discriminatory. This order was also blocked by federal courts.
After Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Healey called for a special investigation. She sent a letter with 20 other Attorneys General. They asked for an investigation into Russia's involvement in the 2016 election. A special counsel, Robert Mueller, was appointed soon after.
Governor of Massachusetts
Election as Governor
On January 20, 2022, Maura Healey announced she would run for governor. The current governor, Charlie Baker, decided not to seek reelection. On September 6, 2022, Healey won the Democratic primary election. She was supported by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.
On November 8, 2022, she defeated Geoff Diehl, the Republican candidate. With this victory, she became the first openly LGBTQ governor in the nation. She officially became governor on January 5, 2023.
Governor's Actions
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The day after becoming governor, Healey signed an Executive Order. This order created the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience. It also created a new position, the Climate Chief. This chief advises the governor on climate issues and helps Massachusetts reach its climate goals.
In February 2023, Healey's team announced a plan for tax cuts. This plan aimed to increase the child and family tax credit. It also proposed increasing the rental deduction cap. The state legislature passed a smaller version of these proposals. Healey signed these changes into law in October 2023.
In March 2023, Healey announced a $20 million plan. This plan would create a free community college program called "MassReconnect." It helps Massachusetts residents aged 25 or older get a degree. This program aims to help people get jobs in fields that need more skilled workers. The state legislature approved this plan, and Healey signed it in August.
In August 2023, Healey declared a state of emergency. This was due to an increase in people seeking shelter in Massachusetts. The state is unique because it must provide emergency housing to qualifying families. At the time, over 20,000 people were in the shelter system. Healey set a limit of 7,500 families. When the system exceeded this limit, families were placed on a waiting list. In December, she signed a bill adding $250 million for shelters. She also created overflow locations for migrants. In April 2024, she signed another bill for shelter funding. This bill also limited how long families could stay in the shelter system to nine months.
In February 2024, Healey nominated Gabrielle Wolohojian, a judge, to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Wolohojian was Healey's former romantic partner. Some people criticized this decision. Healey defended her choice, saying Wolohojian was highly qualified. The Governor's Council approved the nomination, and Wolohojian was sworn in on April 22.
Personal Life
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In July 2022, Maura Healey moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. She enjoys playing basketball for fun. In January 2023, after becoming governor, Healey announced she is in a relationship with attorney Joanna Lydgate. Lydgate used to be Healey's chief deputy. Their relationship began after Lydgate left that role. Healey is Catholic.
Images for kids
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Governor Healey taking questions at the Boston Public Library in 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Maura Healey para niños
- List of female state attorneys general in the United States
- List of female governors in the United States
- List of first openly LGBT politicians in the United States
