As the state considers a new flag, seal, and motto, the Republicans challenging Gov. Maura Healey are promising to keep the Massachusetts emblems.
The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission unveiled its finalists for each category last month. The State Legislature created the commission in 2024 to recommend new designs from the public; the commission received $100,000 in funding.
More than 1,150 ideas were submitted, according to the commission. Dozens of each were advanced to a second round before the final three recommendations for the flag, seal, and motto were announced Aug. 28.
The current state flag features the state seal and motto. The seal depicts an indigenous man underneath a disembodied arm that holds a sword. The motto, which is also on seal and the flag, is the Latin phrase “ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem,” meaning “by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.” The phrase is attributed to a poet from the 1600s.
“When I’m elected Governor, we’ll keep the Massachusetts flag and our historic motto,” Mike Kennealy wrote on X.
Some advocates, particularly Indigenous people, have called for a flag change due to the disembodied arm holding the sword above Wampanoag leader Ousamequin, also known as Massasoit Sachem, according to GBH News. The sword is believed to belong to Myles Standish, a colonial military leader who was known at the time for his brutality toward indigenous people.
Brian Shortsleeve, who is also running against Healey, said he’s “especially” a fan of the state motto.
“I’m against creating a new state flag,” he told his followers earlier this month. His post included a poll, and nearly all of the 277 voters clicked to keep the state flag.
“We have a great flag. It’s a flag I love, it’s a flag that represents our heritage,” Shortsleeve told The Boston Globe. “It’s a reminder of the ideals of the state.”
The recommendations include flags that feature a mayflower, the state flower, turkey feathers, and a gold star and waves. The seals recommended feature the state bird of a chickadee and the official state marine mammal, the North Atlantic right whale.
The mottos recommended include “Many Voices, One Commonwealth,” “We honor all life guided by the First Light,” and “Bono publico laetamur,” which means “We rejoice in the public good.”
When asked if Healey would move forward with the proposed changes or if she had any preference for which option, a spokesperson said she will review the recommendations of the Commission.
“Governor Healey’s focus is on the economy, lowering the cost of housing, energy and health care, and standing up to the damage Donald Trump is doing every day,” the spokesperson said. “She will review the recommendations of the Commission.”