Massachusetts Democratic Governor Maura Healey nominated Gabrielle Wolohojian to serve on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court despite their extensive romantic history.

Healey said in a statement this week that Wolohojian, who serves as an Appeals Court associate justice, should be confirmed to the high court because “there is no one more qualified or better prepared to serve.” The statement made no mention of their prior relationship.

“She will bring over three decades of broad trial and appellate experience, including sixteen years on the Appeals Court,” Healey said. “Justice Wolohojian has served on the Appeals Court with distinction and her work is widely respected by members of the bench and bar. She has an exceptional understanding of the law and a strong commitment to the administration of justice.”

Healey met and started dating Wolohojian in 2007 at the law firm Hale and Dorr. One article from Boston Magazine indicates that they had been involved as recently as 2015 while Healey served as attorney general of Massachusetts. Another report last summer from the Boston Globe said that Healey would move into the home of current partner Joanna Lydgate.

Geraldine Hines, a retired associate justice for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, likewise insisted in the statement that Wolohojian is “uniquely qualified” for the high court position and is able to “accept and coax consensus from the inevitable debates that arise when seven justices with diverse background, life experiences and judicial philosophies are called upon to decide the difficult and complex issues of law presented to the court.”

Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale meanwhile stated that the nomination “clearly demonstrates a lack of accountability inherent in one-party rule.” Healey defended her nomination at a press conference: “I don’t want the fact of her prior relationship with me to deprive the commonwealth of the most qualified person for the position.”