Massachusetts GOP picks Trump-backed Geoff Diehl to face Democrat Maura Healey in governor race
![Geoff Diehl](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JynjQB59m7uChS5MVS4H55-415-80.jpg)
Massachusetts Republican primary voters on Tuesday chose former state Rep. Geoff Diehl as their gubernatorial nominee over Chris Doughty, a more moderate businessman. Diehl, who campaigned on his backing from former President Donald Trump, is considered the underdog against state Attorney General Maura Healey, the Democratic nominee. Healey, if she wins, will be the first woman and openly gay person elected governor in Massachusetts.
"Massachusetts has a history of electing fiscally conservative, socially moderate Republican governors — including former Govs. William Weld and Mitt Romney," as well as outgoing Gov. Charlie Baker (R), The Associated Press reports. Doughty was running in the same mold, but Republican primary voters opted to make Massachusetts "the latest blue state this midterm season to nominate a Trump loyalist," joining Maryland and Illinois.
Diehl said last year he didn't think 2020 was a "stolen election" but now echoes Trump's false claim the election was "rigged." Trump, in a tele-rally for Diehl on Monday night, called his chosen candidate "a proven fighter" who would "rule your state with an iron fist."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Healey, who ran virtually unopposed after her primary opponent dropped out of the race, "does face an oddball hurdle in Massachusetts — the so-called curse of the attorney general," AP notes. "Since 1958, six former Massachusetts attorneys general have sought the governor's office. All failed." But she is favored to beat Diehl, who lost to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) by 24 percentage points in the 2018 Senate race, in a state that President Biden won by 33 points, The Washington Post notes.
None of the nine incumbent congressional Democrats faced primary challengers, and most of the GOP House primaries only had one candidate. In the competitive race to replace Healey as attorney general, Democrats chose Andrea Campbell, the first Black woman to be president of the Boston City Council, over labor lawyer Shannon Lisa-Riordan. Campbell will face Republican trial attorney Jay McMahon.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Democrats now have a chance to present a vigorous, compelling case'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
How Black organizations quickly pivoted and mobilized for Kamala Harris
In the spotlight Harris has a shot at being the first Black woman to lead the Democratic ticket
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia bombs Kyiv children's hospital
Speed Reads The daytime barrage interrupted heart surgeries and killed at least 40 people
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published