The Massachusetts gubernatorial race is heating up as Andrea James, a well-known advocate for incarcerated women, signals her intent to challenge incumbent Governor Maura Healey in the upcoming Democratic primary. According to documents filed with campaign finance regulators and reported by the Boston Globe, James submitted the necessary paperwork to potentially enter the fray in 2026.
Healey, who last month confirmed her intentions to seek a second term, is now faced with internal competition from James, who has been a formidable voice in the criminal justice reform landscape. James’ background includes founding the Families for Justice as Healing and the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, her deep-seated advocacy is informed by her own experience as a convicted and incarcerated individual. She has previously stated in a 2022 op-ed, quoted by the Boston Globe, that state officials should "never build another prison in Massachusetts."
James, as reported by the Boston Herald, had her law license suspended in 2008 following allegations of misappropriating client funds. She later served federal time for wire fraud charges but has since channeled her experiences into advocacy for criminal justice reform. In her words, she found herself in a "Connecticut prison because of one mistake in judgement."
The potential primary challenge comes at a time when Healey has garnered a 52% approval rating, per a University of Massachusetts Amherst poll. Despite this support, James' incursion hints at a desire among some Democrats for a new direction in leadership, particularly with respect to the criminal justice system. The governor's race also sees possible contenders from the Republican side, including Mike Kennealy, former secretary of Housing and Economic Development, and state Senator Peter Durant, as referenced by both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.
