Massachusetts Governor Healey Is in a Committed Relationship

Maura Healey is paving new trails with her election as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Healey is the first openly gay person elected governor of the Bay State. She is also the first woman elected to that position.

Lt. Governor Evelyn Murphy served as acting governor from time to time when Massachusetts Democrat Governor Michael Dukakis was out of state campaigning for president in 1988.

Lt. Governor Jane Swift became acting governor when Republican Governor Paul Cellucci resigned in 2001 when he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Canada by President George W. Bush.

However, there has never been an elected female Chief Executive of the Commonwealth until now. For that reason, and because Healey is gay, there will be added scrutiny from the media and some in the general public about her personal life.

The 51-year-old Healey is involved in a committed relationship.

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The Boston Globe reported Healey has been "in a secret relationship" with Joanna Lydgate, 42, the mother of two children, ages 9 and 11, for two years.

The Boston Herald reported Lydgate worked as Healey's top deputy for 10 years until 2020. The paper said their relationship did not begin "until a few months after Lydgate left the office in 2020."

Lydgate is still legally married to the father of their children, who, according to the papers, supports the relationship between Healey and Lydgate.

Healey reportedly said of Lydgate, "This is a person I love very much, and I have great respect and admiration for."

A Boston Herald opinion columnist speculated there could be a Beacon Hill wedding in Healey's future once the Lydgate's divorce is finalized.

That would be another first for Massachusetts.