Vacancies Prime Top Massachusetts Court for Liberal Makeover

Massachusetts’ highest court is poised to become even more progressive on issues including reproductive rights, immigration, and criminal justice after Gov. Maura Healey (D) fills two impending vacancies just a year into her term.

Justices Elspeth Cypher and David Lowy’s early retirements from the seven-member bench give Healey an unexpected opportunity to put her liberal stamp on the Supreme Judicial Court, whose current justices were all appointed by her moderate Republican predecessor, Charlie Baker.

“This is an opportunity for Governor Healey to fashion a court that is maybe more left of center than it is,” and to cement the court’s ...