BOSTON -  Wednesday was the first time Justice Gabrielle Wolohojian spoke on her nomination to the state's Supreme Judicial Court. A former long-time romantic partner of Gov. Maura Healey, Wolohojian answered questions from the Governor’s Council.

Healey arrived in the hearing room at the State House Wednesday and walked straight to her seat at the front of the room. She didn’t interact with Wolohojian, but she did speak very highly of her while introducing the nominee.

”She is generously willing to serve and deeply committed to our purpose, our judicial institutions," Healey said. "And I know that personally, as I have said in the past, a personal relationship, and my personal relationship with Judge Wolohojian should not deprive the people of Massachusetts of an outstanding SJC justice.”

Council members were not able to ask Healey any questions as Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll interjected and suggested the councilors question the witnesses.

After testimony both for and against Wolohojian's nomination, the Governor’s Council asked questions to the appeals court judge who applied for this position on the SJC under the Baker administration, but was not selected.

Tara Jacobs, the governor’s councilor from western Massachusetts, said she was concerned about the optics of Wolohojian being nominated and wanted to ask the governor about it but wasn’t able to.

“So I understand your concern about the optics," Wolohojian said. "But sitting for my chair, I have done everything like every other candidate. And I don't know what else I can do other than do the process that's been really in place since the Dukakis administration.”

Healey left immediately after her introduction of Wolohojian and said she doesn’t believe this nomination has any ethical issues. Wolohojian also did not answer any questions after the hearing, but said she was honored to be there with her mother.