The Nomination Is Healey’s to Take [OPINION]

The primary election is still more than a year away, but it appears as though Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is in control of her own fate at this point. Healey is proving to be a fundraising machine as she ponders a bid for the Democrat gubernatorial nomination.

Benjamin Downing, Scott Donohue, and Orlando Silva have declared their intent to seek the Democrat nomination. Danielle Allen and Scott Khourie have formed exploratory committees. State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz says she is considering a run for governor.

There are a host of others considered to be potential candidates for the nomination, including Rep. Ayanna Pressley, former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, and former Attorney General Martha Coakley. Even former Lt. Governor Tim Murray is considered to be a possible candidate.

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Healey is the here and now. She is out front, in the news, and apparently in high demand by Democrats all across Massachusetts. Healey seems to be everywhere these days and where Maura goes, campaign donations pour in.

Healey was the anti-Trump in Massachusetts. While weak-kneed RINO Governor Charlie Baker snubbed and ignored the former president, Healey took the fight to him on every level. She has street cred.

The Democrat nomination is Maura Healey's if she wants it. She has been coy about her intentions but at the same time has spent campaign cash on polling. Others, such as Pressley, might make a formidable primary challenger to Healey but I think ultimately Healey would win – and Pressley and the other big-name governor wannabes know it.

All of the other Democrats are waiting to see what Maura Healey is going to do and she is in no hurry to tell them. If Healey jumps in, she clears the field and should have a clean shot at Baker, should he win renomination next year.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.