History of Maura Healey in Timeline

Maura Tracy Healey is the 73rd and current governor of Massachusetts, serving since 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, Healey previously held the position of Massachusetts Attorney General from 2015 to 2023. She was elected as governor in 2022, marking a significant milestone in her political career. Her background as a lawyer and Attorney General has shaped her approach to leadership in Massachusetts.

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 is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 73rd governor of Massachusetts since 2023.

Others born on this day/year

1992: Graduated 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

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

2007: 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, and led the winning arguments for Massachusetts in the country's first lawsuit striking down the law.

2012: Promoted to Chief of Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau

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

October 2013: Announced Candidacy for Attorney General

In October 2013, Maura Healey announced her candidacy for attorney general following Martha Coakley's decision to retire from the office.

2013: Resigned 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

On September 9, 2014, Maura Healey won the Democratic primary by 126,420 votes, defeating former State Senator Warren Tolman, 62.4% to 37.6%.

2014: First Openly Lesbian 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 and John Miller

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

2015: Became Massachusetts Attorney General

In 2015, Maura Healey became the Massachusetts Attorney General.

July 20, 2016: Announced Intention to Ban Assault Rifle Manufacturing

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

2016: Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election

In 2016, Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential election.

January 31, 2017: Challenged 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," condemning it as motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia.

March 9, 2017: Challenged 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, calling it a discriminatory and unconstitutional attempt to implement a Muslim ban.

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

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

November 6, 2018: Reelected Massachusetts Attorney General

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

2018: Re-elected Attorney General

In 2018, Maura Healey was re-elected as Attorney General.

June 3, 2020: Call to Action to End Racial Inequalities

On June 3, 2020, during a Zoom conference call, Maura Healey asked business leaders to work to end racial inequalities and systemic racism, saying, "Yes, America is burning, but that's how forests grow."

2021: 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, as a result of Healey's legislation, Smith & Wesson announced plans to relocate its headquarters and much of its manufacturing from Massachusetts to Tennessee.

January 20, 2022: Announced Candidacy for Governor

On January 20, 2022, Maura Healey announced her candidacy in the 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial election after incumbent Charlie Baker announced he would not seek reelection.

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 after Sonia Chang-Díaz withdrew from the primary and was endorsed by Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Ed Markey.

November 8, 2022: Elected as Governor

On November 8, 2022, Maura Healey defeated Geoff Diehl in the general election, becoming the nation's first openly lesbian governor.

2022: Elected Governor

In 2022, Maura Healey was elected governor of Massachusetts.

2022: Elected Governor of Massachusetts

In 2022, Maura Healey was elected governor of Massachusetts.

January 5, 2023: Inaugurated as Governor

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

January 9, 2023: Announced Relationship with Joanna Lydgate

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

February 2023: Announced Tax Cut Package

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

March 2023: Announced MassReconnect Program

In March 2023, Maura Healey announced a $20 million appropriation to her 2024 fiscal year state budget proposal to create a free community college program, "MassReconnect", for Massachusetts residents 25 or older with a secondary school degree or post-secondary course credits.

May 2023: Announced Tax Incentives for Life Sciences Companies

In May 2023, Healey's administration announced $24.4 million in job creation tax incentives for 43 life sciences companies in the state to create 1,600 jobs.

August 2023: Declared State of Emergency

In August 2023, Maura Healey declared a state of emergency due to an increase in migrants seeking shelter in the state, where the shelter system was housing over 20,000 people.

October 4, 2023: Signed Tax Changes Into Law

On October 4, 2023, Maura Healey signed into law a scaled-back version of the tax cut proposal, which increased the child and dependent tax credit to $310 for the 2023 tax year and $440 for following years, reduced the short-term capital gains tax to 8.5%, and eliminated the estate tax for all estates under $2 million.

November 2023: Families Placed on Waiting List for Shelter

In November 2023, the state of Massachusetts, under Governor Healey, exceeded the limit of 7,500 families that could be housed in the state's emergency shelter system and on November 9, Healey announced that families would be placed on a waiting list and would enter the shelter system as housing units became available.

2023: Became Governor of Massachusetts

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

2023: Smith & Wesson Factory Opened in Tennessee

In 2023, the new Smith & Wesson factory opened in Maryville, Tennessee, following the relocation announcement in 2021 due to Healey's legislation.

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, and the Governor's Council approved the nomination on February 28 and Wolohojian was sworn in on April 22.

April 30, 2024: Signed Bill to Direct Funds Into Shelter System

On April 30, 2024, Maura Healey signed a bill that directed another $251 million into the shelter system for the rest of fiscal year 2024 and limited how long families can stay in the shelter system to nine months.

2024: Purdue Pharma to Be Wound Down or Sold

By 2024, the resolution against the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma requires Purdue Pharma to be wound down or sold, and the Sacklers are banned from the opioid business.