Mass. governor nominates ex-lover for state's highest court: 'Inappropriate'

July 26, 2024

BOSTON (TND) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey nominated a judge with whom she had a prior relationship to the state’s highest court on Wednesday.

The governor selected state Appeals Court Associate Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian, with whom she had a relationship dating back to at least 2007, to the Supreme Judicial Court.

Of course I had a personal relationship with Judge Wolohojian for many years, so I happen to also know something about her character, integrity and the kind of person she is," Gov. Healey acknowledged, according to WBZ. "I don't want the fact that she had a personal relationship with me to deprive the Commonwealth of a person who's most qualified for the position."

The governor met Wolohojian at the Hale & Dorr law firm and the pair began dating more than 15 years ago, according to a 2015 Boston Magazine article. The couple publicly announced the relationship in 2013 and have since broken up, according to the State House News Service.

The Massachusetts Republican Party said the liberal governor’s nomination comes with a conflict of interest.

It is highly inappropriate for the governor to nominate to Massachusetts' highest court an individual with whom she had a long-term romantic relationship in the past," Chairwoman Amy Carnevale noted. "This nomination clearly demonstrates a lack of accountability inherent in one-party rule."

Retired Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Geraldine Hines suggests Wolohojian’s appointment will enhance the body’s reputation.

“Justice Wolohojian is uniquely qualified to join the Supreme Judicial Court at a time when it enjoys and is committed to maintaining its reputation as one of the most respected state supreme courts in the country,” Hines remarked.

Massachusetts Governor's Council member Terrence Kennedy, who will decide whether to confirm Wolohojian, declared he would not take the prior relationship with Gov. Healey into account.

Our job is not to decide this case based on personal relationships," Kennedy said, according to WBZ. "Our job is to decide whether this nominee's qualified."

Wolohojian will have her confirmation hearing on Feb. 21. She has heard more than 2,700 appeals and authored upwards of 900 decisions since her appointment to the Massachusetts Appeals Court in 2008.

The governor previously nominated former state solicitor Elizabeth “Bessie” Newar, who was sworn in on Jan. 29.

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