Massachusetts joined Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, New York, and Ohio in shifting from Republican governors to Democrats. Patrick was the first Democrat elected to the Massachusetts governorship since Michael Dukakis in 1986.

“This was not a victory just for me. This was not a victory just for Democrats. This was a victory for hope,” Patrick, 50, told supporters at his campaign headquarters. He was joined onstage by Massachusetts’ two Democratic U.S. Senators, Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, and his running mate for Lieutenant Governor, Tim Murray.

Patrick held a comfortable lead over Republican Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey in polls leading up to the election, and won 56% of the vote to Healey’s 35%. Independent Christy Mihos took 7%, and Green Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross received 2% of votes.

In an election marred by negative advertising and nasty debates, Patrick managed to rise above the fray. Many voters seemed to feel that he took the high road compared to Healey, who became mired in her attempts to portray him as soft on crime and a political novice while failing to positively promote her own strengths and agenda.

“Barriers have been broken, and we should all be grateful for that,” Healey told supporters in her concession speech.

Patrick had never run for political office prior to this election. He was an attorney for the NAACP in the 1980s, and in 1994 was named U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights by Bill Clinton, making a name for himself with issues relating to prisoners’ rights and affirmative action. He has also done multiple stints in private practice, and served in executive capacities for Coca Cola, Texaco, United Airlines, and Ameriquest Financial.

After announcing his candidacy in 2005, Patrick slowly built up a grassroots campaign that appealed to Massachusetts liberals but also gained momentum from

moderates looking to go in a new direction. He defeated Attorney General Tom Reilly and prominent businessman Chris Gabrieli in the Democratic primary, and led Healey – who voters perhaps negatively associated with outgoing Governor Mitt Romney – from the outset.

In his acceptance speech at his victory party, Patrick praised the diversity of his supporters, thanking everyone from the homeless to venture capitalists. Touching on his campaign theme, which asked, “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” he told the crowd, “You are the ones who transformed this from a political campaign to a movement for change, and I am honored and awed by what you have done.”

“Grassroots is a power of citizenship,” Patrick continued, “It transcends party, it outlasts party, and it has to lift us all up. And it doesn’t end with this election.”