Kerry Healey
Encyclopedia : K : KE : KER : Kerry Healey
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| Term of Office: | January, 2003 – |
| Predecessor: | Jane M. Swift |
| Successor: | Incumbent |
| Date of Birth: | April 30, 1960 |
| Place of Birth: | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Husband: | Sean Healey |
| Profession: | Criminologist/Politician |
| Religion: | Episcopal |
| Political Party: | Republican |
Kerry Murphy Healey, B.A., M.Phil, Ph.D. (born April 30, 1960) is an American politician who has served as the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts since 2003 with Governor Mitt Romney.
Healey's political career began in the late 1990s when she unsuccessfully challenged Democratic incumbent Michael Cahill to represent the 6th Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Just prior to her election as Lieutenant Governor, Healey served as chairperson of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee. Due to Mitt Romney's announcement that he would not pursue reelection in the 2006 Massachusetts gubernatorial election, Healey formally announced on February 8, 2006, that she would seek the Republican nomination for Governor. Only months later, Healey and her running mate Reed Hillman received the endorsement of the Republican state convention nomination for governor, and they are presumptive nominees pending the September primary. Healey currently has five active opponents, three Democrats (in alphabetical order: Chris Gabrieli, Deval Patrick, and Tom Reilly), Green-Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross, and independent Christy Mihos. If Kerry Healey were to win the general election, she would become the first elected female Governor of Massachusetts (Jane Swift succeeded to the office in 2001).
As Lieutenant Governor, Healey is the primary contact for municipal leaders regarding local finance and budget issues and co-chairs the Commonwealth's five Regional Competitiveness Councils, which are responsible for regional economic development initiatives. Healey currently chairs several special commissions for the Governor focused on criminal justice reform, sexual and domestic violence, homelessness and the maritime economy. She also presides over the Governor's Council, the body responsible for confirming the Governor's judicial appointments.
From 1987 to 1997, Healey served as law and public safety consultant at Abt Associates, Inc., in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While at Abt, she conducted research for the U.S. Department of Justice related to child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, gang violence, victim and witness intimidation and the prosecution of drug crimes.
She has been nicknamed "Muffy" by Boston Herald columnist Howie Carr.
Electoral history
- 2002 Race for Governor/Lt. Governor
- *Mitt Romney/Kerry Healey (R), 50%
- *Shannon O'Brien/Chris Gabrieli (D), 45%
- 2002 Republican Primary for Lt. Governor
- *Kerry Healey (R), 64.39%
- *Jim Rappaport (R), 35.51%
- 2000 Race for 6th Essex State Representative District
- *Rep. Michael Cahill (D), 60%
- *Kerry Healey (R), 36%
- 1998 Race for 6th Essex State Representative District
- *Rep. Michael Cahill (D), 66%
- *Kerry Healey (R), 34%
External links
- [Office of the Lieutenant Governor]
- Lt.Governor.Healy@state.ma.us
- [Healey for Governor]
- [Students for Healey]
- [A political website opposing Healey's candidacy for governor]
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