Healey Shows Big Lead in Massachusetts Primary Fundraising

BOSTON — Attorney General Maura Healey is winning fundraising in the Bay State. She has $5.4 million on hand for her bid to be governor, according to her June financial disclosure.

That’s millions ahead of the two Republicans who are still campaigning for votes ahead of the September primary election.

Former State Rep. Geoff Diehl and businessman Chris Doughty, who is mostly self-funding his campaign, are both vying for the Republican nomination to replace Gov. Charlie Baker.

Doughty, a first-time candidate, has the biggest war chest on the Republican primary ballot, with nearly $1.6 million on hand, according to his June financial disclosure.

Diehl, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has been a vocal opponent of many of Baker’s policies, including his handling of the pandemic. He currently has the lowest amount of cash on hand — $109,537 — according to his June disclosure.

Healey has long been seen as the top contender for the Democratic nomination, and it was solidified in June when her opponent state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz dropped out of the race. However, Chang-Díaz’s name will still be on the September ballot.

“Our campaign is building the strongest, broadest grassroots coalition in this race, and we’re going to work hard to earn every vote in September and November,” said Karissa Hand, a spokesperson for the campaign, in an email statement.

Any of the candidates vying for the state’s top office have big shoes to fill.

Baker, a two-term Republican, has been routinely ranked among the most popular governors across the country, pulling in at the top spot with a 74% favorability rating, according to an April survey by Morning Consult.

The self-described socially liberal and fiscally conservative Republican has worked to make the commonwealth more affordable. During his final State of the Commonwealth speech earlier this year he pledged a series of tax cuts for lower-income people, including a renter’s tax break.

Each of the candidates vying for this top position are carving out their own take on how to make the state more affordable as a centerpiece to their campaign.

“Maura will continue to share her vision for making Massachusetts a better place to live and work for everyone,” Hand said. “That starts with lowering the high cost of living, which she’ll address by investing in housing, transportation and child care, and expanding the Child Tax Credit to deliver financial relief to families.”

Both Doughty and Diehl talk about affordability as their top priorities on their respective campaign websites. Doughty’s platform includes cutting the gas tax and reforming the state’s energy plan to cut electric costs. And Diehl lists economic development as one of his campaign priorities.

Diehl’s campaign declined to comment for this story. The Well News reached out multiple times to Doughty’s campaign through email and will update the story if they return requests for comment.

Madeline can be reached at [email protected] and @MadelineHughes