Democrat Galvin to act as governor

According to state law, when both the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state, the secretary of the Commonwealth takes the helm as chief executive.

That is William F. Galvin, the Democratic secretary of state who actually made a run for the governor's office in 2002, but pulled out early on.

"We're not expecting any controversy," said Shawn Feddeman, a spokeswoman for Governor Mitt Romney. "The governor and lieutenant governor will be in constant contact with the office. We're not worried."

Feddeman says her boss will be skiing in Utah, where the former leader of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City keeps a vacation home. Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, meanwhile, will jet to Florida, where her parents live, Feddeman said.

Reached last night, Galvin said he planned no drastic moves while acting governor and pointed out that he has served in that position for several weeks over the span of his Beacon Hill career.

"I believe I hold the record for acting," Galvin said.

From July 1997 to January of 1999, Galvin served as acting lieutenant governor, after Governor William F. Weld left office, which was taken up by Paul Cellucci. Every time Cellucci left office, Galvin said, he was acting governor.

It happened a few more times during the administration of Acting Governor Jane Swift.

On occasion, Galvin said, he's had to actually do the work of governor, signing bonds, issuing emergency warrants when fugitives were apprehended in other states, even signing legislation.

Feddeman said the governor and lieutenant governor would quickly return to Massachusetts if anything urgent came up.

"They're both only a few hours away by plane," she said.