The much-expected entrance of Attorney General Maura Healey into the race for the Democratic nomination for governor caught the attention of politicians and political observers from across the state, and Western Massachusetts was no exception.
“She’s instantly become the front-runner,” said Matt Szafranski, editor-in-chief of Western Mass Politics and Insight, who noted that Healey has more than $3 million in her campaign coffers.
Her major opponents in the primary for the moment are state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, D-Boston, and Harvard professor Danielle Allen. On the Republican side, former state Rep. Geoff Diehl is running for governor.
Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, said that having so many women run for governor is a historic moment. She also said that while she has not yet made an endorsement in the race, she’s“strongly leaning toward Maura Healey.”
Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, was an early supporter of Chang-Diaz, and the entrance of Healey into the race hasn’t changed who she is backing to be the state’s next governor.
“I’m glad that she’s made a decision,” said Sabadosa, on Healey throwing her hat into the ring. “Now that the waiting game is over, there will be more time to talk about the issues.”
Sabadosa also noted the historic nature of the major candidates being two women of color and an LGBTQ woman.
“That is an amazing feat for the state of Massachusetts,” she said. “We are not a state that tends to elect women to the corner office.”
State Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, is running for lieutenant governor.
“The attorney general’s entry into the race makes the field even more historic than it was,” Hinds said.
Hinds said he looks forward to bringing regional balance to the ticket, and he said he will do all he can to make sure the next governor is a Democratic woman.
He also said he’s worked with both Healey and Chang-Diaz before, and that he will see how things develop endorsement-wise.
“I’ll stay focused on my race for now,” he said.
Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, is running for state Senate, hoping to become the successor to Hinds’ district.
“I think it’s very exciting,” Mark said of Healey’s entrance.
Mark was a supporter of former state Sen. Ben Downing in the governor’s race, who exited the contest last month. And while Mark’s not endorsing at this time, he’s looking forward to hearing from the candidates.
“I’m uncommitted at this point,” he said.
Mark also noted the importance of Western Massachusetts in a Democratic primary because of the region’s high voter turnout, and said candidates interested in winning will want to spend a lot of time in the region.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.