Axios Boston

November 09, 2022
It's Wednesday, and like all Wednesdays after an election in the vote-by-mail era, the votes are still being counted.
Today's weather: Frosty in the morning, but warming up to low 50s.
Today's newsletter is 924 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: 🚨 Maura Healey makes history
Healey at the Copley Plaza hotel last night. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Attorney General Maura Healey made history as the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts and one of the country's first openly lesbian governors after a victory over Republican Geoff Diehl last night.
- The Democrat won with 63.2% of the vote to Diehl's 35.2% with 82.5% of precincts reporting, per the Associated Press.
Why it matters: Healey's history-making run and wide margin of victory solidifies the Democratic Party's hold on state government as popular Republican Gov. Charlie Baker steps aside.
- Without the need to wrangle two-thirds of the legislature to defeat a Republican veto, Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate now have a much freer hand to put progressive legislation to a vote.
- Healey has her own agenda to increase housing, cut taxes and lower the cost of living for families in Mass. that will likely see little challenge from the center-left lawmakers who dominate the legislature.
What she's saying:
"Tonight, I want to say something to every little girl and every young LGBTQ person. I hope tonight shows you that you can be whatever you want to be. And nothing but your own imagination should ever get in the way. I want you to know that tonight we made history."— Healey from the stage at the Copley Plaza hotel in the Back Bay.
"In the face of so much hate and intolerance sweeping our nation, her win is a sign — especially to LGBTQ kids in desperate need of hope — that LGBTQ people have a place in American society and can become respected public leaders," LGBTQ Victory Fund president and former Houston Mayor Annise Parker said in a statement.
The other side: "Despite the outcome, I'm proud of the race we ran, and we highlighted issues that are important for people across the entire state," Diehl said in his concession speech, according to the Boston Globe.
The intrigue: Healey shattered a glass ceiling that had been dented by previous female nominees Martha Coakley, Kerry Healey and Shannon O'Brien.
- Healey has also broken the curse of attorneys general failing to get elected governor. Several AGs, including Coakley and Francis Bellotti, lost their races for governor.
2. 🗳 Where things stand in Massachusetts
City Hall turns into a polling place on Election Day. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Massachusetts also made history electing a woman of color to statewide office for the first time.
Driving the news: Democrat Andrea Campbell will be the state's next attorney general after her victory over Republican Jay McMahon last night, the AP reports.
- "I stand on the shoulders of … so many women, Black women, that have fought to pave the way for my candidacy to be possible — thank you," she said. "I am so ready to get to work on behalf of the commonwealth and on behalf of all of you as the next attorney general."
Auditor: Diana DiZoglio (D) beat Anthony Amore (R) to become the state's next top fiscal watchdog.
- DiZoglio was ahead in the AP's count when Amore conceded the race just before midnight.
Secretary of state: Incumbent William Galvin (D) beat Rayla Campbell (R) 67.3% to 29.8%.
Ballot questions still not called

Three of the four ballot questions remain outstanding as votes are tallied.
Question 1: Should the state's highest-earning taxpayers be charged an additional 4% on income over $1 million starting next year?
- With 82.6% of votes counted, 51.8% of voters supported the tax yesterday and 48.2% disapproved, per AP.
Question 2: Should Mass. overhaul dental insurance?
- The Yes vote won with 71.2% vs. 28.8%.
Question 3: Should voters change the number of alcohol licenses available for retailers?
- With 82.34% of precincts reporting, 55% voted yes and 45% voted no.
Question 4: Should Mass. let immigrants without legal status apply for driver's licenses?
- With 81.3% of precincts reporting, 53.4% voted yes and 46.6% voted no.
3. 🔙 Back that Mass. Up: News from around the commonwealth
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux defeated Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson, according to WJAR. And WBSM reports Hodgson has conceded. (WJAR)
The Justice Department's inspector general is investigating U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins' appearance at a political fundraiser featuring first lady Jill Biden, the Associated Press reported. (GBH News)
💊 After securing $30 million in funding, three scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital launched a startup that uses psychoactive ingredients in plants to make psychiatric drugs. (BBJ)
4. U.S. House leans Republican with key Senate races uncalled


Control of Congress remains uncertain as of early Wednesday morning — with dozens of House contests still uncalled and five outstanding Senate races, writes Axios' Erin Doherty.
The big picture: The House is leaning toward GOP control and five pivotal races will determine which party takes control of the Senate.
- The results in key battleground states not yet projected include Georgia, Nevada, Wisconsin and Arizona.
- Democrats flipped a key Senate seat in Pennsylvania, where Lt. Gov. John Fetterman defeated Republican Mehmet Oz.
- In New Hampshire, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) defeated Republican challenger Don Bolduc.
- And in the high-profile contest between Georgia Republican Herschel Walker and incumbent Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock, election results were not yet clear by early Wednesday morning.
Between the lines: Victories in key House contests, such as Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) in Virginia, have dampened Republicans' hopes of a major "red wave" after the latest round of redistricting appeared to tilt several seats in the GOP's favor.


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5. Dinner spotlight: 🍕election night pizza
Part of a well-balanced journalism diet. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios
Steph here. Election night pizza is a sacred newsroom tradition.
- While I was out in the field last night, I decided to get my own pizza.
The spot: Shout out to Dirty Water Dough Co., where I had two pepperoni slices.
The price: Slices with toppings are $3.75 each, but I got chips and a bottle of water with the pizza for $10.
The verdict: Not NYC good, but more than decent for a starving reporter.
Deehan appreciates that at least someone had the foresight to play the Bee Gees' "Massachusetts" at Healey's election night.
Steph thinks Lizzo is the real winner of the #mapoli playlists.
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