The state’s Democratic party demonstrated a cohesiveness that Massachusetts conservatives could only dream of Tuesday evening when they elected a new chair to steer liberal efforts for the next two years without vocal opposition.

Former lieutenant governor nominee Steve Kerrigan, the CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, was the lone candidate running to succeed outgoing party chairman Gus Bickford, who leaves his position atop the MassDems after 6-years of successfully expanding liberal control of the legislature, securing the governorship and maintaining every constitutional office.

“I inherit a strong foundation thanks to Gus Bickford’s terrific leadership,” Kerrigan said in a statement after his victory. “My goal is to make the Massachusetts Democratic Party the gold standard for state parties across the country. We will do that by harnessing the tremendous energy at our grassroots, by representing all our people and being accessible to all, and by building an infrastructure that elects and supports Democratic leaders up and down the ballot. I cannot wait to get to work.”

Kerrigan, who ran unsuccessfully alongside former Attorney General Martha Coakley in her 2014 bid for the corner office, nearly became the party chair in 2016 but was narrowly defeated by Bickford. A veteran of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy’s office, the new party chair was widely seen as the pick of now Gov. Maura Healey, who praised his ascension to the post Wednesday.

“Steve is smart, collaborative, and knows what it takes to build successful campaigns. I look forward to the work ahead and to partnering with Steve to show how Democrats get results that matter in people’s lives,” Healey said in a statement.

Bickford leaves office with the state party in a much better position than when he took over, securing over 80 open-seat contests previously held by Democrats.

“Leading our Party has been the honor of my professional life. We have fought with conviction for the priorities that we hold dear as a Party and have ushered in a new generation of leadership that better reflects our communities and our values. Our Party has made history together and for that, I will be eternally grateful,” Bickford said in a statement.

With the departure of Bickford, both state parties enter the upcoming election cycle with entirely new leadership. Former MassGOP Chairman Jim Lyons was narrowly defeated in his attempt at a third term  by Chairwoman Amy Carnevale at the end of January following a poor showing in November’s election and amid allegations of financial impropriety.

Herald wire service contributed.