Healey wants to be 'absolutely number one' on climate as governor

Attorney General Maura Healey made her case to be elected Massachusetts governor during an appearance Thursday on Boston Public Radio, her first radio interview since announcing her candidacy.

"As much as I've been the people's lawyer and tried to make people's lives better," she said, "I think as governor I would have an ability to make life better for families and communities across the state."

Boston Public Radio co-host Jim Braude asked what would separate a Healey administration from that of current Gov. Charlie Baker.

Healey first praised Baker for his "pragmatic approach" and his willingness to partner with other elected officials on initiatives like fighting the opioid epidemic.

But she then pivoted to the future, indicating that we are "moving into a different time, hopefully."

"Hopefully, we are moving through COVID, we are moving to a space where we've got money coming into the state that can be used and deployed to really get this economy back on track," she said.

Healey said she wants to prioritize climate resiliency and apply an "equity lens to everything we do."

"You'll see me bring the same energy and innovation that I brought to the AG's office to a governor's administration," she said. "That includes, as I say, being absolutely number one when it comes to the most aggressive plans around climate."

Healey also spoke about her office's case against the leaders of the Holyoke Soldiers Home, where dozens of veterans died during a COVID-19 outbreak. A judge dropped criminal charges brought by her office late last year.

She did not say whether she had reached out to U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollin's office about the case.

"I was really disappointed that the judge dismissed the case," she said. "It was in his view a novel application of the law, in my view it was the right application on the law, and if there was ever going to be case where you could charge somebody with neglect, it was this case."

Healey said she would forge forward with an appeal and continue prosecution of those involved.

A former basketball player, Healey credited her success in her career so far to "being the point guard and bringing people together, and realizing it's a team game — and I say that in all seriousness."

Healey did not take calls during the roughly 20-minute appearance on Boston Public Radio, unlike the program's recurring hourlong "Ask The AG" segment, which she said she aims to resume in February.