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Massachusetts has long been a bipartisan enigma at the state level, electing moderate GOP governors for 30 of the past 60 years while seating a Democratic legislature. But the governor’s office is expected to revert to Democrats in 2022 and beyond. In our second MA episode, we discuss this unique history and inflection point with former moderate GOP Lt. Governor, Dr. Kerry Healey.

“Massachusetts is a wonderful model...for the advantages of bipartisan government,” says Healey, pointing to the passage of “Romneycare” that became the model for “Obamacare.” 

Our second guest, Dr. Alexander Theodoridis of UMass Amherst, feels these traditions of bipartisanship and moderate GOPism are already well under attack.

“Things have become nationalized,” says Dr. Theodoridis. “It becomes much more difficult for the average voter to think… Well, you know, I really can't stand these Republicans at the national level. But I'm going to pull the lever for a Republican here in Massachusetts.”

Is no state immune to the forces of polarization? Listen in for an in-depth discussion.

SHOW NOTES

Our Guests

Kerry Healey is a former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and currently the President of the Center for Advancing the American Dream at the Milken Institute. You can find her on Twitter @KerryMHealey.

Alexander Theodoridis is an associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and many political science journals. You can find him on Twitter @AGTheodoridis. 

More resources on our website:

https://fluentknowledge.com/shows/the-purple-principle/states-ma-part2

Original music by Ryan Adair Rooney

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