Democrats reclaim Massachusetts governorship with win by Maura Healey, first openly lesbian governor

The Associated Press called the race with just 1% of the vote in.
Maura Healey

Democrat Maura Healey has won election to the Massachusetts governor's mansion, flipping the state's top job as Republican Gov. Charlie Baker leaves office due to term limits.

The Associated Press called the race with just 1% of the vote in. Healey led Trump-backed GOP challenger Geoff Diehl with 72% of the vote to his 27% as of press time. Healey will become the state's first openly lesbian governor.

Massachusetts, despite being a deep blue state, sometimes elects Republican governors, notably current Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney, who held the office from 2003-2007.

Diehl faced a tough primary bid against fellow Republican Chris Doughty, whom former President Donald Trump derided as a RINO, or Republican in Name Only.