BOSTON — In a move that is drawing criticism, Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday nominated her former romantic partner and Massachusetts Appeals Court Associate Justice Gabrielle Wolohojian to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Wolohojian and Healey, who are former longtime partners, first met while both were working at Hale & Dorr, according to a 2015 Boston Magazine article.
Wolohojian is nominated to fill the seat vacated by Justice David Lowy, who has retired this month from the Supreme Judicial Court.
The nomination drew criticism from MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale.
“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,” Carnevale said in a statement on Wednesday. “This nomination clearly demonstrates a lack of accountability inherent in one-party rule. We urge the Governor to immediately withdraw her nominee and, if not withdrawn, we urge the Governor’s Council to reject this nominee.”
When questioned by reporters about the nomination on Wednesday, Healey said there is “no one more qualified or more well-prepared to join the SJC” than Wolohojian.
When asked by reporters if there was anyone else more qualified for the nomination, Healey said, “No, no, and not according to to the committee. And I think if you. You, follow some of the commentary and see who’s stepping forward? The reaction has been one of overwhelming support. There is no one more qualified. I am very comfortable in saying that. If you look at her, record, and you look at her career as a lawyer and then as a judge these past 16 years on the appeals court, there’s no more no one more qualified or more prepared. And, you know, 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.”
When asked whether their prior personal relationship may interfere with the nomination going the distance, Healey said, “No, I don’t think so. Because from here on out, there’s a process. Of course. I’m a part of it. Excuse me, but what we move to next, of course, is, is consideration by the governor’s council. And that process will unfold in the next few weeks.”
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