The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has six constitutional officers: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, auditor and secretary of state. On Nov. 4, it is predicted that at least three women will be elected to those offices.
After such a lopsided victory in the primary, Maura Healey is a certain bet to become the next attorney general. Deb Goldberg has run for treasurer with such an energetic and professional quality campaign that most voters do not even recognize the name of her opponent. And Suzanne Bump has the strength of incumbency and a sterling record of performance to carry her to victory. Her opponent is also a woman.
If for any unforeseen reason any of those candidates falter at the finish line, it is certain that the governor’s race will add another woman to the array of constitutional officers. Even if Martha Coakley loses to Charlie Baker, he brings along Karyn Polito as lieutenant governor.
Voters elected Ed Brooke to the U.S. Senate in 1967 and Deval Patrick is presently serving his second term as governor. Fortunately, many Massachusetts voters think beyond race and gender. The strategy for good government is to be sure to vote and to support qualified candidates without concern for race or gender.
