BOSTON -- Attorney General Maura Healey on Wednesday afternoon parried a series of attacks from her Republican challenger Jay McMahon over the Democrat's record on guns, drugs and suing the Trump administration, defending her office over the course of the final, hour-long debate in the race.
Healey, who is widely expected to win a second, four-year term as attorney general, highlighted her work prosecuting drug traffickers and preventing dangerous copycat assault weapons from being sold in Massachusetts.
She also said that while she doesn't relish suing President Donald Trump, she will continue to do so if she believes it's in the interests of the state or its residents.
"I don't wish for or want opportunities to sue the federal government. But it is my job as attorney general to stand up for the interests of our state, for our residents, for our businesses and for our values," Healey said.
While Healey rarely challenged her opponent's positions, she did push back against his characterization of her work as politically motivated or lacking. McMahon described himself as the "law enforcement candidate and anti-corruption candidate" in the race.
The debate was hosted by WBUR, the Boston Globe and UMass Boston, and was streamed live and aired on the radio Wednesday afternoon. WBUR's Deborah Becker and James Pindell of the Globe moderated.
McMahon, a trial attorney and former police officer and member of the military, challenged Healey over her efforts to combat the opioid abuse epidemic, which claimed the life of his oldest son.
