Healey’s Worcester swing included fundraising stop that drew Polito

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Gov. Maura Healey appeared to receive some quiet support this week from a former GOP standard-bearer as two Republicans vie to take her on in 2026: Karyn Polito, the former lieutenant governor.

Polito was present at a Worcester area fundraiser on Wednesday, held inside the Beechwood Hotel, sources told MASSterList. Healey is planning to run for a second four-year term.

Healey was already slated to be in the area: She had an afternoon event at the UMass Memorial Medical Center to promote her proposal to shuttle $400 million in state funding towards research and innovation sectors. A speech to the Worcester Economic Club at Holy Cross College was also on her official schedule.

Polito was scheduled to attend the fundraiser and the event at UMass Memorial, where she is the vice president of business development. Christian Nakkashian, the executive director of Polito’s political committee, only confirmed that she attended the UMass Memorial event.

Polito left elected office in concert with Gov. Charlie Baker, who decided against running for a third term in 2022. Her $1.4 million campaign account remains active, paying for consultants and making charitable donations to UMass Memorial.

Healey’s Worcester fundraiser came as the governor got some new approval numbers in a snapshot released earlier in the day. A MassINC Polling Group survey for CommonWealth Beacon found that 56% approve, either strongly or somewhat, of Healey’s performance, while 33% say they strongly or somewhat disapprove. Eleven percent said they’re unsure.

The survey of 1,000 Massachusetts residents, conducted between Aug. 11 and Aug. 18, unsurprisingly found that President Donald Trump and his health and human services chief, RFK Jr., remain unpopular in the Bay State. The poll did not include head-to-head match-ups with Healey and the potential GOP contenders for governor, Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Kennealy, who both have ties to the Baker administration.

The timing of the poll means it was conducted well before the latest Trump administration’s move away from vaccines, and Healey countered by mandating local insurers cover vaccines despite what the federal guidance says. She was the first governor to do so.

I’d love to hear from others who were in the room where it happened. Drop me a line if you were in Worcester yesterday: [email protected]

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MassDOT is rushing a secretive 35-year lease with Applegreen, despite inflated numbers, weak financials, and better alternatives. KPMG flagged serious flaws, yet the deal moves forward. Public oversight is missing, and $900M in rent is at risk. Legislators must act now. Before signing away public assets for decades, the MassDOT Board must pause and review. Learn more.

8:00 | Gov. Maura Healey presides over commemorative name-reading ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. There will be a ceremonial lowering of the flag. Those also scheduled to read names include Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and First Lady Joanna Lydgate. | State House steps, Boston

9:30 | Rep. Kate Hogan and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll preside over the Madeline "Amy" Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery. The award honors the legacy of Sweeney, a flight attendant who was killed aboard American Airlines Flight 11; she shared "critical information" during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to a state webpage.....House Chamber | Livestream

11:00 | The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies holds informational hearing on statewide economic impact of public and private colleges and universities, including direct spending, job creation and incubation of innovative businesses. | More Info and Access

5:00 | Gov. Maura Healey speaks at the annual Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony. A procession of Pipes and Drum Bands, Honors Guards and firefighters will leave Boston Common at 4:45 p.m. and head to Ashburton Park. Event sponsored by Auditor Diana DiZoglio. Treasurer Deb Goldberg attends. | State House, Firefighters Memorial, Boston

SJC ON DEAN TRAN: The Supreme Judicial Court rejected claims by former Sen. Dean Tran, whose attorneys argued he should be immune from prosecution for violating state ethics laws. He had his Beacon Hill staffers help with his campaign. – Eagle-Tribune

GOP SETTLEMENT: The Mass. GOP agreed to pay $36,000 to settle allegations over allegedly illegal donations in the 2022 election. It was the latest such agreement tied to a mess left behind by past party leaders. – Boston Globe

NEAL AIDE CONFIRMED: An aide to Congressman Richard Neal won confirmation from the Governor’s Council to serve on the District Court as Gov. Maura Healey continued to make her mark on the Probate and Family Court with new nominations. – State House News Service

Boston is at an economic crossroads. The vitality of its downtown business district, drained by the COVID-19 epidemic, continues to slowly rebound but has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Commercial property values have declined, creating the potential for major budget challenges for the most property-tax dependent big city in America. With Boston’s financial underpinnings at risk, what is the strategy and vision for Boston’s future, particularly for its major business districts? Join business and community leaders to explore challenges and opportunities ahead. Register here!

MARKET BASKET DRAMA: Market Basket’s board fired chief executive Arthur T. Demoulas, whose spokesperson called the move a “farcical cover up for a coup.” – Boston Business Journal

SPRINGFIELD TURNOUT: The city of Springfield saw its lowest voter in 70 years. Just 3.4% of people voted in Tuesday’s preliminary. – MassLive

CHECKING ON D7: Boston’s mayoral and at-large races dominated headlines, but a contest to fill former District 7 Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s seat was also on the ballot. Out of 11 candidates, Said Amhed and Minard Culpepper finished first and second, but the totals for the other candidates fell into possible recount territory. – Dorchester Reporter

SPRINKLER SAFETY: A majority of Worcester city councilors decided against the city adopting an optional state fire safety law requiring sprinkler systems in some buildings, despite the recommendation of the city manager and fire chief. – GBH News

BNB BYLAWS: A proposal to revise town bylaws and update building codes affecting short-term rentals is expected to draw Lenox property owners. – Berkshire Eagle

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