GOP candidates slam Gov. Healey over consultant's Epstein ties

Candidates criticize Healey's former political advisor's links to the convicted sex offender.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:31pm

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Two of the three Republican candidates for Massachusetts governor are criticizing Governor Maura Healey over her former political consultant's ties and communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Why it matters

The allegations against Healey's former advisor could become a major campaign issue in the upcoming gubernatorial election, with the GOP candidates seeking to tie Healey to the Epstein scandal and raise questions about her judgment in hiring the consultant.

The details

The Republican candidates, who have not been named, are accusing Healey's former political consultant of having ties and communications with Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier who was convicted of sex crimes. The candidates are using this to criticize Healey's judgment in hiring the consultant.

  • The allegations surfaced on February 4, 2026.

The players

Maura Healey

The current Democratic Governor of Massachusetts.

Republican gubernatorial candidates

Two of the three Republican candidates running against Healey for Governor of Massachusetts.

Healey's former political consultant

An unnamed political consultant who previously worked for Governor Healey and is alleged to have ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender and financier who died in jail in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The allegations against Healey's former consultant could become a major campaign issue, with the GOP candidates seeking to tie the governor to the Epstein scandal and raise questions about her judgment in hiring the consultant.