Gov. Maura Healy has made it clear that after the overwhelming defeat in November handed President Donald Trump a second term in the White House, she wants to remake the Democrats.
In two national interviews this month, Healy threw a less-than-subtle jab at Washington’s top Democrats, criticising her own party for having “brand issues,” and once again escaped early enough for President Joe Biden to quit the election early and give Kamala Harris a victory.
In an interview Wednesday with late-night comedy host Seth Myers, Healy argued that the democratic message would not resonate with voters during the 2024 election.
“The reason Democrats lost is that we weren’t with people, we didn’t empathize with people, so we didn’t recognize our daily needs. Now is the time to run head-on to it, talk about these things, educate them, and show them how we actually deliver,” she said.
As Trump tries to cut the size of the federal government significantly, one-on-one sit-ins with prominent media outlets will end by cutting funding in states like Massachusetts, relying on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The first-term Arlington Democrats appear to position themselves as one of the main voices about what Democrats have to do to back up themselves, fighting Trump after the November defeat.
Healy built her national profile in Beacon Hill’s executive office for much of her first term. Some would like to run for the national office in 2028.
Regardless of her ambitions for a higher office, Healy doesn’t hide her desire to be in front of efforts to rebuild the Democrats with the new political landscape Trump has falsified over the past few months.
In an interview with the New York Times last weekend, Healy said Democrats need to remake their image into something that convinces voters that they are offering for everyday Americans.
“There’s definitely a brand issue. There’s a big brand issue,” she told The Times. “I don’t pretend to talk for the party, but as a Democratic leader, I can tell you what I’m trying to do. I’m focusing on driving what I think is a democratic message. Let’s take this moment and redefine the brand.”
Healy’s criticism of the party’s profile is along with the frustration she aired about her Democratic leader’s handling of Trump.
In a sit-in with Myers, Healy said Congressional Democratic leaders have not taken a proactive approach to dealing with Trump.
“Leadership people, council members will go out into your district and stand with the people in your district, listen to them about what they are going through, and also educate them about the meaning of these cuts, what this guy (Elon) musk is doing in the doji,” she said.
That’s a point she came to light in her time, telling the outlet, “We need leadership that is proactive, aggressive and speaks to everyday Americans.”
“I think what’s bothered Democrats in this last election was the fact that there was a perception that leaders within the Democratic Party were not actually seeing and feeling the pain of people,” she said. “I think to some extent they just didn’t have fingers in their pulses among the Democratic leaders. They’re talking about core economic issues that resonate, not bread or butter.”
Healy’s statement wasn’t the first time she’d taken a shot with Congressional Democratic leadership.
In a private call earlier this year with other governors and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, Healy urged New York State Senators to vote for Trump’s candidates and generate more opposition to the president, The Times reported in January.
However, two national interviews were notable for the platform they aired to Healy to a wide audience.
Back at home, Healy is running for reelection as governor of Massachusetts. She told reporters Thursday that she would offer a full semester if she was re-elected, of course.
So, what was the strategy behind two national interviews this month?
“I was just asked to do an interview, and… when reporters ask, I try to respond. So I was happy to do the interview and talk about what’s actually going on with the people of Massachusetts about their real-world impact,” she said at the Capitol.
Original release: March 9, 2025, 5:47am EST
