Healey's pick for high court faces little critique at State House hearing

Around a hundred supporters, including lawyers, judges, and court staff, packed into a State House hearing room Wednesday to support Appeals Court Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian's nomination to the state's highest court.

Gov. Maura Healey introduced her at the session, not shying away from the controversy around the pick — that Wolohojian is a former longtime romantic partner of Healey's. The governor said Wolohojian has "distinguished herself as a fair-minded jurist."

Healey told members of the elected Governor's Council, "Time and again, Judge Wolohojian has proven herself to be a person of wisdom and integrity, deeply committed to both the rule of law and the strengthening of our community." The council could vote on confirmation as soon as next week.

The governor made little reference to her past relationship with Wolohojian, her partner of a dozen years with whom she shared a home in Charlestown. The relationship reportedly ended in 2019.

Councilors probed Wolohojian on issues like the emerging threats of artificial intelligence and the state's new police oversight commission. Only Councilor Tara Jacobs asked the judge about the controversy over her nomination, and whether it gave the appearance of favoritism.

Wolohojian has applied unsuccessfully for a seat on the high court before, under former Gov. Charlie Baker, and said she is following the same process as other applicants. "I understand your concern about the optics — but sitting from my chair, I’ve done everything like every other candidate, and I don’t know what else I can do."

Jacobs tried to ask the governor a question about the nomination before Healey left the room, but was not permitted to.

The Massachusetts Republican party has opposed Wolohojian's nomination in written statements, but did not appear at the hearing to testify.

"Regardless of whether the judge opts to recuse herself from issues involving the governor or the Executive Branch, the impropriety of this nomination remains unchanged, MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale said in a statement issued after the hearing. "It's difficult to conceive that the personal relationship didn't impact the nomination process. In submitting a nomination to the highest court, a governor must avoid even the semblance of a conflict of interest, and this nomination fails to pass that critical test."

Lt. Gov. Kimberley Driscoll, who co-chaired the hearing, referred to Wolohojian's 16 years on the Appeals Court and called her "one of our state's most experienced appellate judges."

Healey said she knew "from experience" that Wolohojian "is a remarkable jurist, uniquely talented, thoroughly prepared, generously willing to serve, and deeply committed to our judicial institutions."

"And I know that personally. As I have said in the past, a personal relationship — and my personal relationship — with Judge Wolohojian should not deprive the people of Massachusetts of an outstanding SJC justice," the governor said.

Wolohojian said she was grateful for the support of her colleagues.

"And I realized that their trust and support — that if I were elevated, they would be happy to have me review their work — struck me as the greatest trust and endorsement that I could receive," Wolohojian told members of the Governor's Council.

With reporting from State House News Service's Sam Doran.