NORTHAMPTON — Dozens of people gathered at the Elks Club Thursday evening to see Attorney General Maura Healey speak, and enjoy a barbecue put on by her campaign.
“I believe that the action in this country and the change and the leadership in this country comes at the local and state level,” said Healey, who launched her first campaign for attorney general in Northampton in 2013.
Attendees enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers grilled outside the venue, but the main attraction was clearly the attorney general herself, who is seeking her second term in office in this year’s election on Nov. 6. Attorney Jay McMahon of Bourne is her opponent.
Some of the political notables who showed up for the event were presumptive 1st Franklin District representative Natalie Blais, presumptive 1st Hampshire District representative Lindsay Sabadosa, presumptive Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District senator Jo Comerford and Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, who introduced Healey.
“So many have known her as ally,” said LaChapelle, noting Healey’s work on gun control, same-sex marriage, and suing pharmaceutical manufacturers and
Prior to speaking, or even being formally announced, Healey went around and mingled with the crowd. And after a short speech she began to take questions from the audience.
She spoke about suing the Trump administration, which she said she did to stand up for Massachusetts residents, businesses and interests.
Healey also noted, however, that her office returned more than $800 million to the state and residents last year, through fighting things like wage theft and Medicaid fraud.
“That’s the kind of bread-and-butter work that we’re doing,” said Healey.
Healey also pointed to the importance of voting and defending institutions, including the press.
“There is nothing more important than voting,” she said.
The big applause line of her speech, however, was when she noted the number of women who are running for office this year.
“I can’t wait to work with my new colleagues in Jo and Natalie in the Legislature,” said Healey, referring to Blais and Comerford.
On an audience question about the mood among other attorneys general concerning the Trump administration, Healey said she has seen good work from her fellow Democratic attorneys general from a variety of states, but hasn’t seen much action from Republican attorneys general in pushing back against the Trump administration.
Asked by Mark Cote of Northampton whether she would run to replace Elizabeth Warren in the U.S. Senate if Warren sought higher office, Healey said she was focused on the current race. And when asked by another questioner why so many Democratic mayors were supporting Republican Gov. Charlie Baker over his Democratic opponent Jay Gonzalez and why the Democratic leadership isn’t supporting him more, Healey made her allegiance clear.
“This Democrat is supporting Jay Gonzalez,” she said.
Part of Cote’s question also involved cracking down on private colleges that defraud their students, and Healey touted her record on this, while also speaking some biting words about U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
“(DeVos) has no business being the secretary of education,” said Healey. “We’ve had to sue her a bunch.”
In response to a question about Question 3, Healey emphasized the importance of voting yes on the ballot question, which would preserve the anti-discrimination protections for trans people in public accommodations in Massachusetts, and attacked the “No on 3” ads that have been running.
“They’re designed to scare people,” she said.
She also said that those behind the question are using Massachusetts as part of a wider effort.
“If they can gain a toehold here in Massachusetts, imagine what they think they can do around the rest of the country,” she said.
Additionally, Healey expressed concern about what she characterized as the weaponization of the First Amendment.
“I thought free speech was supposed to protect the free speech of live human beings, not corporations” she said.
She also expressed concern with religious freedom being used as a cover for discrimination
In her closing remarks, Healey said her office is available to be reached out to.
“Use me as a resource,” she said.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettent.com.