History of Maura Healey in Timeline

Maura Tracy Healey is the current governor of Massachusetts, serving since 2023. As a Democrat, she previously held the position of Massachusetts Attorney General from 2015 to 2023. Her election as governor in 2022 marked a significant moment in her political career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 8, 1971: Maura Healey's Birth

On February 8, 1971, Maura Tracy Healey was born. She would later become a lawyer, politician, and the 73rd governor of Massachusetts.

Others born on this day/year

1992: Graduation from Harvard College

In 1992, Maura Healey graduated cum laude from Harvard College, where she majored in government and was co-captain of the Harvard Crimson women's basketball team.

1998: Earned Juris Doctor from Northeastern University

In 1998, Maura Healey earned a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.

2007: Hired as Chief of the Civil Rights Division

In 2007, Maura Healey was hired by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and served as chief of the Civil Rights Division, where she spearheaded the state's challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

2012: Promotion to Chief of Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau

In 2012, Maura Healey was promoted to chief of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau.

October 2013: Announcement of Candidacy for Attorney General

In October 2013, Maura Healey announced her candidacy for attorney general of Massachusetts.

2013: Resignation to Run for Attorney General

In 2013, Maura Healey resigned from her position to run for attorney general in 2014.

September 9, 2014: Won Democratic Primary for Attorney General

On September 9, 2014, Maura Healey won the Democratic primary for attorney general, defeating Warren Tolman.

2014: First Openly Lesbian Woman Elected Attorney General

In 2014, Maura Healey became the first openly lesbian woman elected attorney general of a U.S. state and the first openly LGBTQ person elected to statewide office in Massachusetts.

2014: Defeated Warren Tolman in Primary

In 2014, Maura Healey defeated Warren Tolman in the Democratic primary for attorney general.

2015: Massachusetts Attorney General

In 2015, Maura Healey became the Attorney General of Massachusetts, a position she held until 2023.

July 20, 2016: Announced Intention to Ban Assault Rifles

On July 20, 2016, Maura Healey announced her intention to ban the manufacturing of most assault rifles in Massachusetts.

2016: Russia's Meddling in U.S. Presidential Election

In 2016, Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential election, which led to Maura Healey's call for a special counsel in May 11, 2017.

January 31, 2017: Joined Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Executive Order 13769

On January 31, 2017, Maura Healey announced that her office was joining a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769, commonly known as a "Muslim ban."

March 9, 2017: Joined Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Executive Order 13780

On March 9, 2017, Maura Healey announced that her office was joining a lawsuit challenging President Trump's Executive Order 13780, a revised version of the previous order.

May 11, 2017: Called for Special Counsel to Investigate Russia Meddling

On May 11, 2017, Maura Healey led efforts calling for a special counsel to investigate Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

November 6, 2018: Re-elected as Massachusetts Attorney General

On November 6, 2018, Maura Healey was re-elected as Massachusetts Attorney General.

2018: Reelected as Attorney General

In 2018, Maura Healey was reelected as the Attorney General of Massachusetts.

June 3, 2020: Call to Action on Racial Inequalities

On June 3, 2020, Maura Healey called for action from business leaders to end racial inequalities and systemic racism during a Zoom conference call with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

2021: Announced Resolution Against Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma

In 2021, Maura Healey announced a resolution against the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma, requiring a payment of more than $4.3 billion for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

2021: Smith & Wesson Announced Relocation

In 2021, Smith & Wesson announced plans to relocate its headquarters and much of its manufacturing from Massachusetts to Tennessee, in part due to Healey's policies.

January 20, 2022: Announced Candidacy in Gubernatorial Election

On January 20, 2022, Maura Healey announced her candidacy in the 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial election.

July 2022: Moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts

In July 2022, Maura Healey moved from Boston to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

September 6, 2022: Won Democratic Primary Election

On September 6, 2022, Maura Healey won the Democratic primary election for governor of Massachusetts.

November 8, 2022: Elected Governor of Massachusetts

On November 8, 2022, Maura Healey was elected governor of Massachusetts, making her the nation's first openly lesbian governor.

2022: First Woman Elected Governor of Massachusetts

In 2022, Maura Healey became the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts.

2022: Election as Governor of Massachusetts

In 2022, Maura Healey was elected as the governor of Massachusetts.

January 5, 2023: Inauguration as Governor

On January 5, 2023, Maura Healey was inaugurated as the governor of Massachusetts.

January 9, 2023: Publicly Announced Relationship with Joanna Lydgate

On January 9, 2023, shortly after being inaugurated as governor, Maura Healey publicly announced that she is in a relationship with attorney Joanna Lydgate, her former chief deputy.

February 2023: Administration Announced Tax Cut Package

In February 2023, the Healey administration announced a $742 million tax cut package as an addition to its proposed fiscal year 2024 budget.

March 2023: Announced MassReconnect Program

In March 2023, Governor Healey announced a $20 million appropriation to create a free community college program called "MassReconnect" for Massachusetts residents 25 or older.

May 2023: Announced Job Creation Tax Incentives

In May 2023, Healey's administration announced $24.4 million in job creation tax incentives for life sciences companies in the state.

August 2023: Declared State of Emergency Due to Migrant Increase

In August 2023, Governor Healey declared a state of emergency due to an increase in migrants seeking shelter in Massachusetts.

October 4, 2023: Signed Tax Changes into Law

On October 4, 2023, Governor Healey signed into law a scaled-back version of her proposed tax changes, including adjustments to the child and dependent tax credit and capital gains tax.

November 2023: Shelter System Exceeded Limit

In November 2023, the state's emergency shelter system exceeded the limit of 7,500 families that could be housed.

2023: 73rd Governor of Massachusetts

In 2023, Maura Healey began her term as the 73rd governor of Massachusetts.

2023: Smith & Wesson's New Factory Opened

In 2023, Smith & Wesson's new factory opened in Maryville, Tennessee, after announcing plans to relocate from Massachusetts in 2021.

February 2024: Nominated Gabrielle Wolohojian to Supreme Judicial Court

In February 2024, Maura Healey nominated her former romantic partner, appellate court judge Gabrielle Wolohojian, to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, facing criticism for the decision.

April 30, 2024: Signed Bill to Direct Funding and Limit Shelter Stay

On April 30, 2024, Governor Healey signed a bill directing another $251 million into the shelter system and limiting how long families can stay in the shelter system to nine months.

2024: Increase in Child and Dependent Tax Credit

In 2024, the tax changes signed into law by Healey in October 4, 2023 will go into effect, including an increase in the child and dependent tax credit.