CNN projects that Geoff Diehl, a former state senator and a favorite of former President Donald Trump, would defeat Democratic state Attorney General Maura Healey to secure the Republican nominee for governor of Massachusetts.
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's decision not to run for reelection this year shook the Bay State political landscape, sparking a scramble among ambitious members of both parties as the top office – which Baker had won twice – suddenly became available, causing a domino effect down the ballot.
Despite its liberal reputation, Massachusetts has a long history of electing Republican governors – Deval Patrick, who served two terms, is the only Democrat to hold the corner office on Beacon Hill since Michael Dukakis left it in 1991 – and Baker, even in this era of polarization, has a long history of supporting Republicans.
His withdrawal, in the face of intraparty resistance to his criticism of Trump and the possibility of a primary challenge, allowed Diehl to claim front-runner status for the Republican nomination. Despite being appreciative of the former President, businessman Chris Doughty said that his political image is poisonous in Massachusetts and that a statewide candidate like Diehl would be condemned to failure in the general election.
In his endorsement of Diehl last year, Trump mostly railed against Baker, who had not yet announced his intention to run again, calling him a "RINO," or Republican in Name Only, and saying his climate policy views were "fresh out of the AOC playbook," a reference to progressive New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Despite its reputation as a liberal state, Massachusetts has a long history of electing Republicans to the position of governor. Deval Patrick, who served two terms, is the only Democrat to have held the position since Michael Dukakis left it in 1991, and Baker, even at this moment, is a Republican.
The most competitive high-profile Democratic primary Tuesday was for the nomination to succeed Healey as attorney general. Former Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell, the first black woman to hold the job, will win the nomination, CNN projects.
If she is elected attorney general, she will be the first black woman elected statewide. She will defeat Labor barrister Shannon Lees-Riordan. Healy, who endorsed Campbell, stumped for her before the primary.
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Presley also supported Campbell and made her case at a rally with signs for all three women behind them."We need a bold, fierce, visionary, inclusive leader like Andrea Campbell," Presley said. "People deserve it. That's what the moment calls for. That's what the job demands.
" A third candidate, attorney Quentin Palfrey, dropped out last week and endorsed Campbell, joining Healey, Presley and the U.S.Ed Markey led state progressives in a split race. (Palfrey was an active candidate and his name was on the ballot when early voting began.) Liz-Riordan received support from Sen.
Elizabeth Warren, Boston Mayor Michelle Woo, and former acting Boston Mayor Kim Janney -- all three of whom featured prominently in her last ad."Shannon Liss-Riordan is the progressive champion of Massachusetts as our next attorney general,
" Warren said in announcing her endorsement late last month. "I know firsthand how Shannon fights back and wins against corporations and special interests that take advantage of working families." Campbell will face Republican attorney James McMahon, the 2018 loser to Healy, who ran unopposed on Tuesday.
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