A years-long debate over whether to replace the state flag turned into a political football this past week as Republicans looking to challenge Gov. Maura Healey in next year’s governor’s race tried to turn the effort into a campaign talking point.

When presented with a chance to weigh in on the topic during an unrelated event on COVID-19 vaccines, Healey nearly laughed off a question from a Herald reporter and declared the state flag would not be going anywhere any time soon.

“I don’t mean to laugh. But of everything that’s going on right now — I support that there was a legislative commission to look at this,” Healey said before acknowledging that a 2021 law tasked a state commission with coming up with recommendations for a new state flag, seal, and motto.

Healey then pivoted into wel

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