Governor Maura Healey vowed Wednesday that Massachusetts will continue to protect women’s rights and other priorities after Donald Trump’s election victory Tuesday night, giving the Republican a second term to advance his political agenda.
During an afternoon news briefing, Healey said that Massachusetts is “a place where we will always stand up for people’s rights and freedoms, where women will have control over their own health care decisions, and where every person is respected, valued, and heard, whoever you are, wherever you were born, whoever you love.”
“That was true yesterday, it’s true today, and it will be true tomorrow,” she said. “That’s my promise to all of you.”
Healey said the state will continue to work to support its thriving life sciences industry, make housing more affordable, protect public education and healthcare access, promote clean energy, and help veterans, among other priorities.
“I also want to acknowledge that in Massachusetts and across the country today, there are many people who are very happy,” Healey said. “There are also many people in Massachusetts and across the country who are very unhappy and who are having a hard time and are not pleased with the results.”
Healey noted that many state residents “are worried about their future. This is a moment to honor those concerns, and it’s also a moment for resolve.”
“This is a time to come together,” she said. “We see so much anger and division across the country, but I know Massachusetts is a place and will be a place where we care about each other and we look after one another.”
She also said state officials would soon address the successful ballot measure to remove the MCAS as a high school graduation requirement.
“The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be out with guidance shortly on that,” Healey said. “The voters spoke on that question.”
Healey was also asked about her appearance Tuesday in New Hampshire, which she described as “my home state of New Hampshire” during Wednesday’s briefing. It’s also known as a key stop for politicians looking to lay the groundwork for a future presidential campaign.
“The reason I was in New Hampshire is because, you know, my mom and dad still live there, I grew up there,” Healey said. “And, you know, we have a very close relationship, literally a border state. And there’s a lot of commerce and work going on between the states.”
The next presidential election will be held in 2028. Healey declined to say whether she’ll seek reelection as governor in 2026.
“I think it’s a little early to make any announcements,” Healey said. “We’re dealing with this election. I love my job. And, you know, my message today to everybody in Massachusetts is that we see you. We see you. Whether you voted for the president-elect or not, we see you.”
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said Wednesday morning that she wanted “to remind constituents that it is essential to recognize the will of the people and support a peaceful transition of power as these are central and non-negotiable tenets to being a democracy.”
“I am also clear-eyed that President-elect Trump has told us exactly what he intends to do as President, and that we need to believe him and to be ready for the challenges ahead,” Campbell said in a statement. “Across the country, attorneys general will be on the front lines to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms, and Massachusetts will continue to be a beacon of light and hope. My office is prepared for the threats our residents may face, ready to act and we will not shy away or back down from the critical work ahead.”
Jeremy C. Fox of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.