Maura Healey

Maura Tracy Healey (born February 8, 1971) is an American attorney and politician serving as the Massachusetts Attorney General. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Maura Healey
59th Massachusetts Attorney General
Assumed office
January 21, 2015
GovernorCharlie Baker
Preceded byMartha Coakley
Personal details
Born (1971-02-08) February 8, 1971
Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationHarvard University (AB)
Northeastern University (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Hired by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in 2007, Healey served as chief of the Civil Rights Division, where she spearheaded the state's challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. She was then appointed chief of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau and then chief of the Business and Labor Bureau before resigning in 2013 to run for attorney general in 2014. She defeated former State Senator Warren Tolman in the Democratic primary and then defeated Republican attorney John Miller in the general election. Healey was reelected in 2018.[1] Upon taking office, she became the first openly gay state attorney general in the United States.[2]

Early life and education

Born at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maura Tracy Healey grew up as the oldest of five brothers and sisters. When she was nine months old, her family moved to Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, where she was raised.[3] Her mother was a nurse at Lincoln Akerman School in Hampton Falls; her father was a captain in the United States Navy and an engineer. Her stepfather, Edward Beattie, taught history and coached girls' sports at Winnacunnet High School. Her family roots are in Newburyport and the North Shore area.

Healey attended Winnacunnet High School,[4] and majored in government at Harvard College, graduating cum laude in 1992. She was co-captain of the Harvard Crimson women's basketball team.[5] After graduation, Healey spent two years playing as a starting point guard for a professional basketball team in Austria, UBBC Wustenrot Salzburg.[6] Upon returning to the United States, she earned a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in 1998.[7]

Career

Healey began her legal career by clerking for Judge A. David Mazzone of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, where she prepared monthly compliance reports on the cleanup of the Boston Harbor and assisted the judge with trials, hearings, and case conferences. Healey subsequently spent more than seven years at the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, where she worked as an associate and then junior partner and focused commercial and securities litigation.[8]

She also served as a special assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, where she tried drug, assault, domestic violence, and motor vehicle cases in bench and jury sessions and argued bail hearings, motions to suppress, and probation violations and surrenders.[8]

Hired by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in 2007, Healey served as chief of the Civil Rights Division, where she spearheaded the state's challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. She led the winning arguments for Massachusetts in the country's first lawsuit striking down the law.[9]

In 2012, Healey was promoted to chief of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau.[10] She was then appointed chief of the Business and Labor Bureau.[11]

As a division chief and bureau head in the Attorney General's Office, Healey oversaw 250 lawyers and staff members and supervised the areas of consumer protection, fair labor, ratepayer advocacy, environmental protection, health care, insurance and financial services, civil rights, antitrust, Medicaid fraud, nonprofit organizations and charities, and business, technology and economic development.[8][11]

During a Zoom conference call on June 3, 2020, before 300 members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Healey asked for a call to action from business leaders to work to end racial inequalities and systemic racism. She ended her speech saying, "Yes, America is burning, but that’s how forests grow.”[12][13]

Massachusetts Attorney General
Healey's campaign portrait

2014 election
Main article: 2014 Massachusetts general election § Attorney General

In October 2013, Healey announced her candidacy for attorney general. Coakley was retiring from the office to run for governor. On September 9, 2014, Healey won the Democratic primary by 126,420 votes, defeating former State Senator Warren Tolman, 62.4% to 37.6%.[14]

Healey's campaign was endorsed by State Senators Stan Rosenberg, Dan Wolf, Jamie Eldridge and America's largest resource for pro-choice women in politics, EMILY's List.[15][16] It was also endorsed by Northeast District Attorney David Sullivan, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, and Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz.[17][18] Organizations that endorsed the campaign include the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, MassEquality, and the Victory Fund.[19][20][21] Healey wrote an op-ed in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette on upholding the Massachusetts buffer zone law, which she worked on at the Attorney General's Office.[7] She also authored an op-ed in The Boston Globe outlining her plan to combat student loan predators.[22][23][24]

Healey defeated Republican nominee John Miller, an attorney, in the general election, 62.5% to 37.5%. Upon taking office, she became the United States' first openly gay state attorney general.[25][26]

Positions

Healey's plan to reduce gun violence seeks to address what she perceives as its root causes. The plan includes enhancing the background check system to include information regarding recent restraining orders, pending indictments, any relations to domestic violence, parole and probation information. The plan also seeks to better track stolen and missing guns. Healey advocates fingerprint trigger locks and firearm micro-stamping on all guns sold in Massachusetts.[27][28]

Healey's plan for criminal justice reform includes ending mandatory sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and focusing on treatment rather than incarceration.[29]

Healey plans to combat prescription drug abuse and Massachusetts's heroin epidemic by implementing a "lock-in" program. The program will be carried out in pharmacies as a way to identify and track prescription drug abusers and/or distributors. Her plan includes deployment of new resources to drug trafficking hotspots, improvement of treatment accessibility and expanding access to Narcan.[30]

Abortion

Healey's women's rights platform focuses on sex education, expanding access to abortion services in Massachusetts and ensuring that every woman in Massachusetts has access to abortion regardless of where she lives, her occupation or her income.[31]

Gun control

On July 20, 2016, Healey announced her intention to ban the sale or transfer of most semi-automatic rifles in Massachusetts. She actively considered firearms stores non-essential.[32]

President Trump

On January 31, 2017, Healey announced that her office was joining a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769,[33][34] commonly known as a "Muslim ban." [35][36] Healey condemned the order as "motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia, not by a desire to further national security."[33] A federal court eventually struck the order down on similar grounds.[37]

On March 9, 2017, Healey announced that her office was joining a lawsuit challenging Trump's Executive Order 13780.[38][39] She said the new order, a revised version of the one that had been struck down, "remains a discriminatory and unconstitutional attempt to make good on [Trump's] campaign promise to implement a Muslim ban."[38] The order has since been blocked in various federal courts on similar grounds.[39][40]

On May 11, 2017, after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Healey led efforts calling for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Her office sent a letter to that effect, signed by 20 Attorneys General across the nation, to Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.[41] On March 17, Rosenstein appointed a special counsel, former FBI director Robert Mueller.[42]

2018 election
Main article: 2018 Massachusetts general election § Attorney General

On November 6, 2018, Healey was reelected Massachusetts Attorney General, defeating Republican nominee James McMahon with 69.9% of the vote.[1]

Comments on 2020 protests
See also: George Floyd protests

In response to violent protests associated with the killing of George Floyd, Healey said, "America is burning, but that's how forests grow."[43]

Personal life

Healey is openly gay, and lives in Charlestown, Massachusetts with her partner, Gabrielle Wolohojian.[8][44] She continues to play basketball recreationally.[45][46][47][48]

Electoral history
Massachusetts Attorney General Democratic Primary Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maura Healey 322,380 62.1
Democratic Warren Tolman 195,654 37.7
Democratic Write-ins 721 0.1
Massachusetts Attorney General Election, 2014
Party Candidates Votes %
Democratic Maura Healey 1,280,513 61.766
Republican John Miller 793,821 38.2
Write-ins Write-ins 1,885 0.1
Massachusetts Attorney General Election, 2018
Party Candidates Votes %
Democratic Maura Healey 1,874,209 69.9
Republican Jay McMahon III 804,832 30.0
Write-ins Write-ins 1,858 0.1

See also
  • List of female state attorneys-general in the United States

References
  1. "Massachusetts Election Results". The New York Times. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  2. Johnson, Akilah (November 12, 2014). "Maura Healey setting her course as attorney general". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  3. "A CONVERSATION WITH MAURA HEALEY". www.jfklibrary.org. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  4. Murphy, Matt (September 12, 2019). "Maura Healey Endorses Elizabeth Warren Ahead Of Democratic Debate". WBUR. State House News Service. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  5. Ingersoll, Justin R.P. (March 14, 1992). "Star Still Rising for W. Cagers' Captain Maura Healey". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  6. Levenson, Eric (August 26, 2014). "Pro Basketball Star-Turned-Attorney General Hopeful Maura Healey Can Still Ball". Boston.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  7. Schoenberg, Shira. "Massachusetts Attorney General candidate Maura Healey says experience in AG's office prepared her for the top job". Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  8. "Martha Coakley aide seeks her post". Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  9. "Massachusetts: Maura Healey Could Be Top LGBT Attorney In The Country". Advocate.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  10. "AG Coakley Appoints New Leadership to Office". mass.gov. February 16, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  11. "Coakley Aide Announces Run For Mass. Attorney General". WBUR. Associated Press. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  12. Schoenberg, Shira (June 2, 2020). "Healey: 'America is burning. But that's how forests grow'". CommonWealth. MassINC. Retrieved June 3, 2020. “Yes, America is burning. But that’s how forests grow,” she said.
  13. Chesto, Jon (June 2, 2020). "AG Healey urges business leaders to seize 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to address racial inequity". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 3, 2020. ‘America is burning, but that’s how forests grow,’ she tells Greater Boston Chamber
  14. Scharfenberg, David. "Healey defeats Tolman in Democratic AG primary". Boston Globe (September 9, 2014). Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  15. Rizzuto, Robert. "Attorney general hopeful Maura Healey lands endorsements from Rosenberg, Dan Wolf, Jamie Eldridge". MassLive. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  16. Bernstein, David. "Emily's List Is Endorsing Maura Healey and Deb Goldberg". Boston Daily. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  17. "Fitchburg mayor endorses Maura Healey for attorney general (video)". Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  18. "Attorney General hopeful Maura Healey lands endorsements from 2 Western Mass. mayors, discusses plan to tackle opiate abuse". masslive.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  19. "Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan endorses Maura Healey for attorney general". Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  20. "Warren Tolman and Maura Healey, Democratic candidates for attorney general, announce dueling endorsements to start week". masslive.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  21. "Bay Windows: Healey Wins Endorsement of The Victory Fund, MassEquality Political Action Committee". Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  22. Healey, Maura. "Stopping student loan predators". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  23. "Mass. AG hopeful Maura Healey calls for tougher oversight of for-profit colleges". Associated Press. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  24. "Mass. AG hopeful: Crack down on for-profit schools". The Washington Times. Associated Press. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  25. "RESULTS: Healey Elected First Out State Attorney General". Advocate.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  26. "Democrat Maura Healey tops GOP's Miller to become the nation's 1st openly gay attorney general". My Fox Boston. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  27. "Attorney general candidate Maura Healey proposes stricter gun laws for Massachusetts in new plan". Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  28. "AG candidate outlines approach to gun violence". Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  29. "Democrat Maura Healey says ending mandatory sentences for non-violent drug offenders, focusing on treatment over incarceration among priorities as attorney general". Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  30. "Prescription Drug Abuse Reaches Epidemic Proportions". Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  31. "Democratic attorney general hopeful Maura Healey says women's rights platform includes focusing on sex education, expanding access to abortion services in Massachusetts". Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  32. "Assault Weapons Ban Enforcement". July 19, 2016.
  33. "Maura Healey Is Suing the President Again". Boston Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  34. "Executive Order Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States". whitehouse.gov. March 6, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  35. Savransky, Rebecca (January 29, 2017). "Giuliani: Trump asked me how to do a Muslim ban 'legally'". TheHill. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  36. Saletan, William (January 31, 2017). "Of Course It's a Muslim Ban". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  37. Liptak, Adam (February 9, 2017). "Court Refuses to Reinstate Travel Ban, Dealing Trump Another Legal Loss". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  38. "Maura Healey says Massachusetts will join new lawsuit against Trump's revised travel ban". Boston.com. March 9, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  39. International Refugee Assistance Project v. Trump (4th Cir. 2017) http://coop.ca4.uscourts.gov/171351.P.pdf
  40. "Federal judge in Hawaii freezes President Trump's new entry ban". Washington Post. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  41. "Healey leads coalition of attorneys general calling for special prosecutor to oversee Russia probe". Boston.com. May 11, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  42. "Appointment of Special Counsel". www.justice.gov. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  43. AG Healey urges business leaders to seize ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ to address racial inequity Retrieved June 6, 2020
  44. "Maura Healey Talks Historic Campaign for Attorney General in Massachusetts". Huffingtonpost.com. March 13, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  45. Maura Healey for Attorney General (August 9, 2014), Maura Healey's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, retrieved May 26, 2017
  46. "WATCH: Mass. AG Candidate Shows Her Basketball Skills". NECN. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  47. The Boston Globe (December 1, 2014), Baker vs. Healy in a friendly game of Horse, retrieved May 26, 2017
  48. "Maura Healey Is Still Better at Basketball Than You Will Ever Be". Boston Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Martha Coakley		 Attorney General of Massachusetts
2015–present		 Incumbent
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