BOSTON (CBS) — Harvard professor Danielle Allen said she is running for governor with the goal of bringing a “people-centered approach” to Beacon Hill.

Allen is one of three current Democratic candidates in the race to replace Governor Charlie Baker, who will not seek a third term.

WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller spoke to Allen about what she thinks makes her the best candidate to be the next governor.

“I care about the future. Future for our young people, for all of us. We need to work together with all of us to deliver the democracy, healthy communities, the healthy climate that we need,” Allen said.

Allen said Attorney General Maura Healey, who joined the race last week and is seen by many as one of the frontrunners in the election, represents the status quo.

“We need solutions that come from the people, a people-centric approach to our politics, not top-down solutions from Beacon Hill. The Attorney General has worked at Beacon Hill for eight years,” Allen said.

Keller asked Allen about several topics related to how Massachusetts should handle the COVID pandemic.

“In surges, we need mask mandates. We don’t need mask mandates all the time,” Allen said. “The truth is that our surge is down in Massachusetts. It’s time for us to start working on how we have an exit ramp, an exit ramp for the use of masks.

Allen also said that while she thinks vaccine mandates are a good idea during COVID surges, she added that “I don’t support indefinite vaccine passports.”

Keller @ Large: Part 2