Democrat Ben Downing drops out of Massachusetts governor's race

[TexasTowelie]

BOSTON — The first Democrat to formally announce a run for governor in Massachusetts said Tuesday that he is dropping out of the race.

Former state Sen. Ben Downing said in a statement he is dropping out of the 2022 election “with a heavy heart” because “we simply do not have the financial resources to continue. While it’s painful to admit, that reality has brought this chapter to a close.”

When Downing announced his run in February, he said his priorities would be addressing the coronavirus pandemic, racial inequity, climate change, child care, affordable higher education, and transit investment.

“Though my name will not be on the ballot next year, I will keep working for the principles that defined this campaign,” he said in his statement.

Read more: https://bangordailynews.com/2021/12/28/news/new-england/democrat-ben-downing-drops-out-of-massachusetts-governors-race/

[calimary]

1. So what does this mean?

Good news or bad?

[TexasTowelie]

2. There are four Democrats, one Republican, and one independent that are still in the race

according to Ballotpedia. Gov. Baker is not running for reelection so it is a wide open field.

The question is whether Democratic AG Maura Healey will get into the race because she will be the instant frontrunner. Healey has over $3.3 million in campaign funds, but she may be perceived as too moderate for progressives. And of course as AG, she has made enemies in the corporate world.